ISMPP Podcast 2023: InformED 

ISMPP talks about key trends and issues facing medical communication and publication professionals in an ever-evolving field. Subscribe to this podcast where you can hear experts share their thought-provoking insights and lessons!

2023 episodes are linked below! Looking for a past episode? 

2022 Podcasts
2020-2021 Podcasts


Episode 15: Patients as a key stakeholder for scientific conferences


In this episode of Informed, guest host Dawn Lobban is joined by Simon Stones, an experienced patient advocate and senior medical writer. They discuss the topic of patients at scientific congresses and conferences. Simon shares his journey of being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease as a child, which inspired him to learn about his conditions and work to help others by amplifying the patient voice in research. Tune in to gain insights into the why, how, and where of patient involvement in scientific congresses – what it looks like now and what it could be in the future.
Guest host Dawn Lobban, Medical and Patient Engagement Consultant is joined by Simon Stones, Senior Medical Writer, Envision Pharma Group for this episode of InformED. To view transcript


Episode 14: What do doctors really do on the internet? And how can the data inform our medical communications approach?

 
In this episode of InformED, we dive into the world of data analytics and omnichannel strategies in medical communications. Guest host Gary Burd is joined by experts in the field Kent Bhupathi, Andi Schmid, and Ilana Scholl to discuss the insights gained from analyzing healthcare professionals' online behaviors and how this data can inform and shape effective medical communication strategies. Tune in to discover more about how data insights power omnichannel strategies. 

Our guest host, Gary Burd, EVP, Head of Medical Services at Caudex is joined by Kent Bhupathi, Head of the Data Sciences and Engineering Practice at Solve(d); Ilana Scholl, Head of Digital Strategy at Caudex; and Andi Schmid, Director of Data Science & Advanced Analytics at Solve(d).  To view transcript


Episode 13: Inventing the Future Generative AI and Medical Publishing – a Collaborative Conversation 


In this episode of Informed, guest host Jenny Ghith is joined by Dr. Yanshan Wang, Vice Chair of Research and Assistant Professor within the Department of Health Information Management at the University of Pittsburgh. They discuss how large language models and generative AI are changing how we communicate in medical publications, the importance of bridging dialogue amongst our specialties and professions, how we can learn from AI experts and the tech industry, and what we might anticipate in the future. This episode provides valuable perspectives on the intersection of AI and medical communications.
 

Our host, Jenny Ghith, is the Omnichannel Strategy and Innovations Lead for Pfizer Oncology, and she is joined by Dr. Yanshan Wang, Vice Chair of Research and Assistant Professor within the Department of Health Information Management at the University of Pittsburgh for this thought-provoking episode.  To view transcript

Link to ISMPP Universities mentioned in the podcast (free to ISMPP members): https://www.pathlms.com/ismpp/courses/46881 


Episode 12: Bringing the Patient Voice into Company-Sponsored Publications: The Med Comms Perspective


Continuing our look at increasing patient participation in the scientific publication process, this episode of InformED will look at the process from a medical communications perspective. Our guests discuss questions to think through during the planning stages including: the different roles that patients can take, how to best communicate with patients and patient advocates, and education they may need to fully engage in the process.

Guest host Kelly Soldavin, Senior Editor at Taylor & Francis Group is joined by Jacqui Oliver, Patient Partnership Director, Scientific at Envision Pharma Group and Sarah Griffiths Communications Director, Patient Engagement at Oxford PharmaGenesis to for this second episode in a series of patient engagement in scientific publishing podcasts. To view transcript


Episode 11: Bringing the Patient Voice into Company-Sponsored Publications: The Pharma Perspective

 
This episode of InformED is exploring the specific steps to take in order to increase the participation of patients in the scientific publication process from the pharma perspective. Our guests discuss topics ranging from forming a collaborative board to patient authorship to making publications more accessible to non-specialist audiences. Each of our guests bring years of experience and helpful advice no matter where you are in the process of building a patient participation program.

Guest host Jonathan Patience, Head of Publication Development at Taylor & Francis, is joined by Catherine Skobe, Senior Director, Publications Innovative Solutions Lead at Pfizer and Avishek Pal, Global Medical Director, Gene & Cell Therapy, Novartis Oncology.  To view transcript


 Episode 10: Digital Features: Are they worth the effort? Questions answered


As a follow up to the ISMPP U Digital Features – Are they really worth it? held live on June 7, 2023, join three of the faculty from the webinar as they come back together with a lively discussion of the comments and questions submitted by the audience during the live event. Listen now, even if you haven't watched the webinar, this discussion can also be a good preview! If you are interested in the original ISMPP U, please go to https://www.pathlms.com/ismpp/courses/46881.  The archived webinar is free to members.   

Our guest host today is Caroline Halford, who has 15 years with the Adis journal portfolio and has presented and published several studies on the impact of PLS and digital features. Our guests are Adeline Rosenberg, Senior Medical Writer, Patient Engagement at Oxford PharmaGenesis and co-author of the Open Pharma PLS recommendations; and Joanne Walker, co-founder of Becaris Publishing, the publisher of the open access publication Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research and digital hub The Evidence Base. To view transcript


Episode 9: Accessible Conference Presentations: Results and insights from a study

 
Guest host Mary Gaskarth is joined by Emily Messina to discuss her interest and research in the accessibility of conference presentations.  Emily and her team recently won the ISMPP 2023 Annual Meeting Publication Star poster award for their poster entitled Are conference presentations accessible? Insights from an online survey to improve equity.  Emily discusses the results of her research, as well as making practical suggestions based on the survey results to help presenters and organizers make their posters, oral presentations, and even conference space itself more accessible to all attendees. She has put the suggestions together into a checklist available at the link below.

Mary Gaskarth is Head of Medical Services at CMC Affinity, part of IPG Health Medical Communications.  Emily Messina is also at CMC Affinity and is a Medical Writer with a strong interest in making information available and accessible to all.  To view the transcript and checklist.


Episode 8: Putting Patients First: A Journey to Inclusion in Publishing 

Please join our guest host, Dawn Lobban, Head of Envision the Patient team, at Envision Pharma Group, and guest Sharon Terry, President and CEO of Genetic Alliance, a not-for-profit organization that works to provide programs, products and tools for ordinary people to take charge of their health, as they continue a discussion started at the 2023 ISMPP Annual Meeting. Sharon’s keynote address on the first day of programming set the tone for the meeting theme of Patients First. Sharon describes her background and how she became involved in rare diseases, patient advocacy, and patient authorship. Learn about the importance, barriers, and solutions to involving more patients in medical communication and publishing.  To view the transcript


Episode 7: RWE: Relevance, Reporting, and AI


Join Rob Matheis and Richard White for a discussion of the basics of what Real World Evidence (RWE) is and how it is different from HEOR, to the big questions of how the global use of RWE has changed over time and how the rise of AI - both analytics and large language models - could change the landscape of RWE. What changes should medical communications professionals be aware of in the reporting and usage of RWE data?

Richard White is the Chief Operating Officer of Oxford PharmaGenesis, a global, independent HealthScience communications consultancy. He has more than 20 years of experience in Medical Affairs, and founded the Oxford PharmaGenesis Value Demonstration and Patient Engagement Practices to apply evidence-based communication best practice to clinical, HEOR, RWE, patient-reported outcome (PRO) and patient preference studies. He has run training workshops in these areas for multiple pharmaceutical companies, and has also delivered invited presentations, panel discussions and roundtables at international conferences such as ISMPP, TIPPA, Patient Summit Europe, Patient Engagement & Experience Summit and the World Orphan Drug Congress.  To view the transcript


 Episode 6: Trending Topics from the ISMPP 2023 European Meeting: Patients, AI, & Creativity.


Join us for an interesting conversation between the Co-Chairs of the European Meeting Program Committee as they discuss the relevant trends and ideas that were topics of conversation and programming in London this year. Patients, AI, and creativity were three of the major themes that came forward during the meeting – Eleanor and Rob discuss how those themes will continue to be relevant during the years to come.

Our guests are Eleanor Raynsford, Global Medical Publications and Communications, Senior Manager, Oncology at Ipsen; and Rob Pilbrow, EU Director, Scientific and Editorial Services at Syneos Health Communications. Eleanor and Rob have both been active ISMPP members and were an integral part of forming the interesting and informative programming at the European Meeting January 2023.


Episode 5: Looking at Recruitment & Retention: Part 2 - What is Important to Employees? You might be surprised.

Rob Matheis continues his discussion with Whitney Morris, this time focusing on what drives an employee to stay in their current position or move to a new one. Financial incentives are not always the most important factor, so what is taking their place? Whitney also discusses how to frame a conversation with a manager to improve your current position.

Our guest today, Whitney Morris, has worked exclusively in the scientific communications and Medical Affairs recruiting space. As Practice Lead for Medical Affairs at Medical Affairs Recruiting, she understands the field from both an employer and an employee perspective. Her practical advice and insights will help anyone involved in hiring, retaining talent, or searching for their next step in their journey. At Medical Affairs Recruiting, Whitney’s focus has been in the Medical and Scientific Communications space working on roles ranging from Director to VP.


Episode 4: Chatting (More) About ChatGPT and Generative AI


As a follow-up to the ISMPP U webinar, The Rise of ChatGPT and Generative AI: Implications for Medical Writing, Authorship, Content Development and QA Systems, this episode of InformEd aims to address unanswered audience questions and discuss new developments in this quickly changing field. Our focus is on understanding ChatGPT and other large language models, exploring how they work – including strengths and limitations, and discussing ways to get the most out of ChatGPT now – plus new skills we may need to learn. Our guests will also look to the future and consider what that landscape may look like.

Guest host Jen Webster, Senior Director, Precision Medicine RWE Lead at Pfizer has spent the last 12 years building and using real world data systems to generate evidence and insights. She is joined by Jenny Ghith, Senior Director, Omnichannel Strategy and Innovations Lead, Global Scientific Communications, at Pfizer Oncology who works to advance the understanding of science by bridging AI technologies from data scientists to the healthcare community; and James Turnbull, Founder of Camino Communications where he uses his background in computer science and medcomms to bring the value of digital to healthcare communications.


Episode 3: Looking at Recruitment & Retention: Part 1 - Employee & Employer Perspectives

 
"The Great Resignation" is affecting all organizations, including those in scientific communications and Medical Affairs. What are the main causes, and how can managers retain the great employees they already have? Or how can an employee determine what is right for them so they can see if it is where they are today or if a change is needed? Our guest today, Whitney Morris, has worked exclusively in the scientific communications and Medical Affairs recruiting space. As Recruiting Specialist at Medical Affairs Recruiting, she understands the field from both an employer and an employee perspective. Her practical advice and insights will help anyone involved in hiring, retaining talent, or searching for their next step in their journey.

At Medical Affairs Recruiting, Whitney’s focus has been in the Medical and Scientific Communications space working on roles ranging from Director to VP. Prior to her role at Medical Affairs Recruiting, Whitney worked as a full desk executive recruiter, starting the Medical Affairs team for another firm. Desiring to join a smaller, more boutique firm, she made her move to Medical Affairs Recruiting.


Episode 2: Enhanced Publication Content: A Publisher's Perspective Part 2


In this continuation of the conversation with Neil Adams, we discuss the future of enhanced publication content. What are some exciting changes that may be coming and how can EPC be used more effectively in the future? In a time of limited resources, what single EPC is a must have and why?

Neil Adams is Manager, Industry Solutions, North America, Karger Publishers. Neil has more than 20 years of experience working with healthcare industry partners, journal editors, professional societies, and authors to publish important clinical research, and deliver educational and marketing solutions. His areas of expertise include industry-sponsored publications, clinical trial submissions, enhanced digital content, online educational resources, and journal supplements.


Episode 1: Enhanced Publication Content: A Publisher's Perspective Part 1


Enhanced publication content (EPC) can break down barriers between authors and readers in various ways. Which types of EPC are the most common and which provide the greatest value for audiences? What are the greatest barriers to the use of EPC and what are potential solutions? Join us for this examination into EPC from the publisher's perspective. Our guest is Neil Adams, Manager, Industry Solutions, North America, Karger Publishers. Neil has more than 20 years of experience working with healthcare industry partners, journal editors, professional societies, and authors to publish important clinical research, and deliver educational and marketing solutions. His areas of expertise include industry-sponsored publications, clinical trial submissions, enhanced digital content, online educational resources, and journal supplements.


 

​All podcasts are generously sponsored by MedThink SciCom