“You’re on mute”—lessons learned with virtual academic detailing

Abstract

Academic detailing is a medical education outreach service that typically features in-person individualized discussion of therapeutic decisions. The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compelled many existing academic detailing services to switch to providing their services virtually. This format switch brought opportunities and challenges to detailing programs across North America. Technology enabled programs to continue, but adaptations were necessary, including communication style changes enabling automated booking and optimizing support materials for a virtual environment. Specifically, communication decisions, including when to screen share and strategies to encourage 2-way communication must be addressed to maintain the advantage of a discussion format. As pandemic limitations resolve and academic detailing services move forward, it is important to consider advantages and challenges of virtual academic detailing and how pandemic work will inform future approaches to academic detailing that may blend in-person and virtual outreach.