Liaison Role Research Articles

The Medical Science Liaison Role in Spain: A Survey About the Opinion of HealthCare Professionals.

Purpose/AimThere are limited studies addressing the knowledge of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role. The objective of this study was to determine the percentage of HCPs that know the role, and to describe their opinion about the utility of the MSL activities on their clinical practice.MethodsAn online survey was completed by 107 HCPs between June 2019 and January 2020 through three Scientific Societies. It consisted of 17 or 25 questions, depending on the answers.ResultsMost HCPs (73.8%) knew the MSL role inside the pharmaceutical industry and were able to differentiate the MSL role from others in marketing/sales departments (77.6%). Support for research projects (70.8%) and training courses (68.1%) were the most valuable activities. Participants scored the credibility of data provided by the MSL with a mean of 7.5 (out of 10), and the added value that the MSL provides to their clinical practice with a mean of 6.9. Among HCPs unfamiliar with the role (26.2%), 60% of them are interested in meeting with the local MSL.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that the MSL role is well-known by HCPs, mostly Key Opinion Leaders, and they agree on the importance of working together in scientific projects on, e.g., disease awareness, medical training, or clinical trials. Given the advance of targeted therapies and the move toward personalized medicine, the MSL role will be in more demand and necessary for HCPs in the years to come.

Algorithms for operational decision-making: An absorptive capacity perspective on the process of converting data into relevant knowledge

The organisational mechanisms through which algorithms can be exploited in the process of converting data into relevant knowledge for operational decision-making have not yet been fully investigated from an absorptive capacity perspective. Previous studies underlined a rise in new digital specialised roles, but they said little about how the organisational knowledge and structures should be redesigned to take advantage of these data-rich operational environments. In this article, we present the findings of a case study on the way algorithms can be exploited in the electrical sector to shed light on these issues. We then develop a framework to theorise how the organisational mechanisms associated with absorptive capacity influence the way algorithms can be exploited to convert data into relevant knowledge for operational decision-making. Our emerging framework reveals that to convert data into relevant knowledge for operational decision-making, the involvement of line employees and liaison roles are required to introduce system-level knowledge that algorithms are able to capture less effectively. Additionally, more formalisation is needed in operational work to ensure the quality of the data that feed such algorithms. Finally, socialisation tactics facilitate the convergence between the knowledge produced from algorithms and the experiential knowledge of line employees.

The role and activities of the Traveller mentalhealth liaison nurse: Findings from a multi-stakeholder evaluation.

Irish Travellers are a minority ethnic group within the Irish state with a distinct culture and set of traditions. Travellers experience mental health inequalities, high rates of mental ill health, and structural and individual barriers to mental health supports. A Traveller Mental Health Liaison Nurse (TMHLN) was introduced in a healthcare region in Ireland to provide greater mental health-related support to Travellers. This paper presents a description of the TMHLN role following a multi-stakeholder evaluation. The research design was descriptive qualitative and the findings are reported using COREQ criteria. Thirty-four key stakeholders were interviewed individually or as part of focus groups. Thematic analysis generated two broad themes: the role context, and the specific activities of the role. Mental health nursing experience and understanding of local issues and services were key, as was use of language, building trusting relations, creating the metaphorical, and having the physical, space for working. Specific activities involved in-reach and outreach work, including one-to-one mental health support provision, delivery of education/training sessions to Travellers and service providers, (re)establishing links to specialist services, integrated and interagency working, and promoting cultural competency. The findings set out a role with a greater emphasis on the use of recovery technologies, having an emphasis on psychosocial interventions and self-care, and less focus on biomedical technologies, signs and symptoms, and clinical outcomes. This study contributes to knowledge on the role of a MHLN as this relates to working with marginalized minority groups.

Discharge Instructions - Who, What, When and Where: The Development of a Discharge Liaison Role to Improve the Patient Experience and Discharge Planning Process Post-operatively

<h3>Introduction</h3> Ambulatory Surgery Patient Experience Scores related to post-operative discharge instructions for FY19 were at the 38^th percentile, well below the institutional goal of the 50^th percentile. <h3>Identification of the problem</h3> Team dissatisfaction with the inconsistency and unavailability of discharge instructions post-operatively along with low patient experience scores related to discharge instructions led to the development of a dedicated position and process to coordinate communication with the surgeon and parents post-operatively prior to discharge. <h3>QI question/Purpose of the study</h3> The goal of the project was to improve the discharge process and communication of discharge instructions with parents/caregivers resulting in improved patient experience scores, improved team member and surgeon satisfaction and decreased discharge delays. <h3>Methods</h3> After development of a Process Improvement (PI) Team, the Discharge Liaison Role and responsibilities were established. The Pilot was presented to the peri-operative teams and surgeons, and a time frame was identified. An initial survey was sent to the surgeons to gauge their satisfaction with the current discharge process. <h3>Outcomes/Results</h3> By developing and implementing a dedicated Discharge Liaison Role we improved our patient experience scores specific to the question "instructions nurses gave you about caring for your child at home" from the 38^th percentile in FY19 to the 90^th percentile in FY20. <h3>Discussion</h3> Implementing the Discharge Liaison Role allowed for consistent and thorough post-operative discharge instructions and provided the opportunity for clarification and coordination of any prescriptions or equipment that may be needed. <h3>Conclusion</h3> By developing the Discharge Liaison Role our patients, the team, and the surgeons responded positively, and we realized a significant improvement in our Patient Experience Scores. <h3>Implications for perianesthesia nurses and future research</h3> The development of a dedicated Discharge Liaison was essential to the improvement of our patient experience scores and the coordination of timely discharge planning for our post-operative patients. Future research is needed to evaluate of the impact on readmission rates, post-operative complications and decreased discharge delays.

The medical science liaison role in Spain: A nationwide survey.

Context and Aims:The Medical Science Liaison's (MSL's) value to the company has evolved into a more strategic role with a wide variety of responsibilities. We conducted an online survey of current MSLs nationwide to assess their profile, activity development, performance evaluation, and career development.Subjects and Methods:A 37-item survey was hosted on SurveyMonkey© and accessible from December 2018 to February 2019. The survey was open to current MSLs from different pharmaceutical companies in Spain and included questions about the participant profile, activity development, performance evaluation, and career development.Statistical Analysis Used:The results were expressed as valid percentages; to establish relationships between the answers to different questions, exclusion and comparison filters were used on the web platform.Results:A total of 179 MSLs responded to the anonymous survey. Off-label information management (79%), relationships with key opinion leaders (76%), continuous medical training for HCPs (70%), involvement in clinical trials/investigator-initiated trials (68%), and elaboration of the National Strategy (67%) were mentioned as the top new competencies. Fifty-eight percent spend an average of 61%–80% of their time out in the field and 68% use remote interactions. Fifty-six percent did not agree that their current performance metrics are a reflection of their true value. Forty-five percent of the participants disagreed when asked if their activity is easily balanced with their personal lives.Conclusions:Based on our findings, we believe that there is a need to consider the MSL's strategic priorities, to define metrics that accurately assess MSL performance, and to find ways to fully maximize their limited time.

Implementation of a Quality Improvement Role for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel and Effects on Infection Prevention

Background: Care bundles comprise evidence-based practices and interventions that are easily and consistently implemented while improving patient outcomes. As patient acuity and task overload continue to increase, infection prevention bundle and process measure compliance and data collection may become a lower priority for registered nurses (RNs). In early 2019, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) began full-time quality liaison work on a 53-bed inpatient adult oncology unit at UNC Medical Center to provide targeted compliance data collection and to correct deficits in real time when possible and within the appropriate scope of practice. Methods: The quality liaison CNA is highly motivated, with a relevant clinical background and effective communication skills. After conducting a gap analysis, the unit developed specific responsibilities for several areas of quality improvement, including infection prevention. In addition to rounding on all patients daily, the quality liaison (1) performs direct patient care tasks like Foley catheter care, (2) conducts patient education on topics such as chlorhexidine gluconate treatments, (3) performs all relevant process measure audits, and (4) easily relays missed or needed care to RNs with a door sign created as part of this initiative. High-risk findings, such as a loose central-line dressing, prompt immediate communication to the RN, with follow-up and escalation when necessary. Results: Patients and staff received the quality liaison well, and the increased attention to care bundle components and auditing ensured consistent, evidence-based care along with accurate and reliable data collection. Compared to the previous calendar year, the number of central-line audits on the unit increased by &gt;1,400 by the end of 2019. Patient outcomes improved, and during 1 fiscal year, the unit achieved rate reductions between 40% and 55% for central-line–associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and healthcare-associated C. difficile infections. Staffing and logistical challenges imposed by the COVID-19 global pandemic have hampered this work because the quality liaison was redeployed to direct patient care intermittently. Correspondingly, from July to October 2020, the same infection rates increased between 30% and 353%. Conclusions: Having a designated quality liaison is an effective means to achieving quality improvements while remaining an integral member of the patient care team. As staffing has improved on this unit, the quality liaison has refocused efforts, and infection rates are beginning to improve. Given the success of the quality liaison role in improving quality outcomes on this unit, the hospital is exploring expansion of this model to additional units.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

Evaluating Metrics Applied to the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Role: A Survey-Based Study of Canadian MSL Leaders

IntroductionMetrics utilized within the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role are plentiful and traditionally quantitative. We sought to understand the current use and value of metrics applied to the MSL role, including the use of qualitative metrics.MethodsWe developed a list of 70 MSL leaders working in Canada, spanning 29 companies. Invitations were emailed Jun 16, 2020 and the 25-question online survey was open for 3 weeks. Questions were designed to assess demographics as well as how and why metrics are applied to the MSL role. Data analyses were descriptive.ResultsResponses were received from 44 leaders (63%). Of the 42 eligible, 45% had ≤ 2 years of experience as MSL leaders and 86% supported specialty care products over many phases of the product lifecycle. A majority (69%) agreed or strongly agreed that metrics are critical to understanding whether an MSL is delivering value, and 98% had used metrics in the past year. The most common reason to use metrics was ‘to show value/impact of MSLs to leadership’ (66%). The most frequently used metric was ‘number of health-care professional (HCP) interactions’, despite this being seen as having moderate value. Quantitative metrics were used more often than qualitative, although qualitative were more often highly valued.ConclusionThe data collected show a lack of agreement between the frequency of use for some metrics and their value in demonstrating the contribution of an MSL. Overall, MSL leaders in our study felt qualitative metrics were a better means of showing the true impact of MSLs.

A Team-Based Liaison Approach to Science Coverage

Liaison librarianship is an evolving specialty area in academic librarianship in which success is heavily dependent upon long-term relationship building between departments and librarians. In times of turnover and change the success of the liaison model is threatened due to the lack of continued staffing in liaison roles. This paper presents a case study of a team-based liaison coverage model for STEM fields during an extended period of turnover and change. Without this shared approach to liaison and functional duties, it would not be possible for only three people to provide service to over 14,000 patrons across multiple colleges.

Proactive C-L Psychiatry: Re-envisioning Psychiatric Care in Medical Settings

Proactive C-L Psychiatry: Re-envisioning Psychiatric Care in Medical Settings

‘It’s a real fine balancing act’: directly employed care workers’ experiences of engaging with health services

Little is known of the experiences of directly employed care workers communicating with healthcare providers about the situations of their employers. We report findings from 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews with directly employed care workers in England undertaken in 2018–19. Findings relate to role content, communication with healthcare professionals and their own well-being. Directly employed care workers need to be flexible about the tasks they perform and the changing needs of those whom they support. Having to take on health liaison roles can be problematic, and the impact of care work on directly employed workers’ own health and well-being needs further investigation.

Who could be One Health Activist at the community level?: A case for India

BackgroundCommunity health workers (CHWs) are the mainstay of the public health system, serving for decades in low-resource countries. Their multi-dimensional work in various health care services, including the prevention of communicable diseases and health promotion of non-communicable diseases, makes CHWs, the frontline workers in their respective communities in India. As India is heading towards the development of One Health (OH), this study attempted to provide an insight into potential OH activists (OHA) at the community level. Thus, this case study in one of India’s western cities, Ahmedabad, targeted identifying OHA by exploring the feasibility and the motivation of CHWs in a local setting.MethodsThis case study explores two major CHWs, i.e., female (Accredited Social Health Activists/ASHA) health workers (FHWs) and male (multipurpose) health workers (MHWs), on their experience and motivation for becoming an OHA. The data were collected between September 2018 and August 2019 through a mixed design, i.e., quantitative data (cross-sectional structured questionnaire) followed by qualitative data (focus group discussion with a semi-structured interview guide).ResultsThe motivation of the CHWs for liaisoning as OHA was found to be low; however, the FHWs have a higher mean motivation score [40 (36–43)] as compared to MHWs [37 (35–40)] out of a maximum score of 92. Although most CHWs have received zoonoses training or contributed to zoonoses prevention campaigns, their awareness level was found to be different among male and female health workers. Comparing the female and male health workers to act as OHA, higher motivational score, multidisciplinary collaborative work experience, and way for incentive generation documented among the female health workers.ConclusionASHAs were willing to accept the additional new liaison role of OHAs if measures like financial incentives and improved recognition are provided. Although this study documented various systemic factors at the individual, community, and health system level, which might, directly and indirectly, impact the acceptance level to act as OHA, they need to be accounted for in the policy regime.

Role Of Urban Farmer Group's Leader As Opinion Leader On Utilizing Urban Yard In Yogyakarta City

One of urban agriculture activities in Yogyakarta City was utilizing yard through farmer groups coordinated by group‟s leader as opinion leader. This study aims to i) Describe farmer group's activities and management on utilizing urban-yard in Yogyakarta City, ii) Determine role of group's leader in utilizing urban-yard in Yogyakarta City, iii) Analyze factors related to member‟s perceptions of the role of group‟s leader in utilizing urban-yard in Yogyakarta City. There were 48 samples selected by multistage random sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis to describe activities and management of farmer groups, table analysis to determine role of group‟s leader, and rank spearman correlation analysis to analyze factors related to member‟s perceptions of role of group‟s leader. The result indicated that urban farmer group had several activities. On management, urban farmer groups didn‟t have comprehensive organizational structure and administrative records. The instructive, consultative, and participatory roles of group‟s leader can be categorized very good. Meanwhile liaison role was categorized good. Factor that had significant correlation to member‟s perceptions of the role of group‟s leader was role of agricultural extention.

A Chronicle of the Pandemic: Hugh Gibson’s Notes on the “Spanish Flu” of 1918

A Chronicle of the Pandemic: Hugh Gibson’s Notes on the “Spanish Flu” of 1918 Hugh Gibson (1883–1954) was a young American diplomat who had a knack for landing in the thick of the action. During the pandemic of 1918, he found himself in Paris tasked with advising General John Pershing on diplomatic matters, straightening out the morass of American propaganda in Europe, and collaborating with military intelligence. To this was added the role of official US liaison to the Polish and Czech national committees. His multiple tasks were carried out against the backdrop of the dramatic last six months of the Great War. The Armistice of November 1918 arrived on the heels of the deadly second wave of the “Spanish Flu”. Gibson then turned his attention from military matters to humanitarian aid for all of Europe as diplomatic adviser to Herbert Hoover’s American Relief Administration. Throughout the tumultuous year from spring 1918 to spring 1919, Gibson experienced the Spanish Flu from multiple angles: military, diplomatic, international, refugee, care-giver, and a personal bout with the flu. Using excerpts from An American in Europe at War and Peace: Hugh Gibson’s Chronicles, 1918–1919 (edited by Vivian Reed and Jochen Böhler, DeGruyter Oldenbourg, Fall 2020), this article traces Gibson’s fascinating journey through a historic pandemic.

Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Institutional Practice: Barry A. Hong.

This award is intended to recognize outstanding practitioners in psychology. Nominations are considered for psychologists working in a wide variety of institutional practice settings (e.g., schools, military, state hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs). Services provided to diverse client groups or patient populations, including but not limited to children/ adolescents/adults/older adults, urban/rural/ frontier populations, minority populations, and persons with serious mental illness, are considered. Contributions are judged distinguished by virtue of peer recognition, advancement of the public's recognition of psychology as a profession, relevant professional association honors, or other meritorious accomplishments denoting excellence as a practitioner, including improvement of institutional service delivery systems or development of psychologically informed public policy. The 2020 recipients of the APA Professional Contributions Awards were selected by the 2019 Board of Professional Affairs (BPA). Barry A. Hong has promoted psychologists' status in academic health care, which has advanced psychologists' roles universally. As chief psychologist for Washington University's Barnes-Jewish Hospital, he champions psychologists' roles, collaborates broadly with clinical and research professionals, and mentors psychologists. He created a liaison role for the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers to the Council of Academic Societies of the Association of American Medical Colleges, the nation's premier academic health care organization. Hong is an active clinician and researcher who has been a leader in multiple professional societies and served on the APA Commission on Accreditation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Adventures of an Accidental Music Librarian: Nurturing a New Library

ABSTRACT In 2018, the University of Tennessee at Martin sought to expand its music degree programs, leading to the development of a satellite music library on campus. Prior to this time, the music library consisted only of a small, closed-stacks band music collection with no cataloged holdings. Due to the author’s background in cataloging and her liaison role to music and fine arts, she used the band library as a foundation for expanding the music library collection. This article will discuss steps taken in the process, which may be of interest to readers for whom music cataloging is a new endeavor. Areas discussed include choice of classification for media, space considerations, funding, and the process of forming partnerships on campus.

Breaking the general practice-hospital divide: Engaging primary care practitioners in multidisciplinary cancer care.

To integrate primary care into multidisciplinary cancer meetings and improve communication between hospital- and community-based care providers. A 12-week pilot study was conducted at Western Health, implementing a model of care, where two general practitioners (GPs) were recruited from the local community to attend weekly breast and lung multidisciplinary meetings in a liaison role as a primary care representative (PCR). Community GPs and hospital specialists were surveyed at the end of the study to assess the impact of this model of care. All stakeholders agreed that two-way communication between hospital- and community-based care was improved. The role of the PCR enabled better engagement of GPs in cancer care, allowing them to manage their patients with more confidence. Patient information contributed by GPs provided a wider context for hospital specialist treatment planning and decision making. This project has demonstrated an effective model to integrate primary care practitioners in multidisciplinary cancer care, as it enables timely and relevant two-way communication between the community and hospital care.

Supporting Students with Visual Impairments Who Are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse: The Role of the Cultural Liaison Within Educational Teams

Introduction:This study explored the role of the cultural liaison on educational teams that support families from culturally and linguistically diverse (hereafter, diverse) backgrounds who have a child with visual impairment.Methods:Focus groups were conducted with teachers of students with visual impairments, cultural liaisons, and classroom teachers, all who had worked with diverse families and students with visual impairments in an urban Canadian school district. Transcripts of the focus groups were coded for common and divergent themes within and across groups.Results:The groups identified a need for better understanding the role of the cultural liaison, clearer communication in the translation process including messages that may be lost in translation, and more opportunities for teachers of students with visual impairments and classroom teachers to connect with cultural liaisons to develop cultural competency.Discussion:The findings highlight the importance of having access to cultural liaisons and the need to make sure all members are clear about their roles. Cultural liaisons may need additional support about resources from teachers of students with visual impairments, while those same teachers would benefit from understanding the parent perspective on visual impairment.Implications for practitioners:Classroom teachers and teachers of students with visual impairments may want to seek out professional development from cultural liaisons. Teachers of students with visual impairments can provide cultural liaisons with a list of common visual impairment terms to allow time for appropriate translation and questions before a meeting. Cultural liaisons may want to ensure that differing cultural viewpoints of the family are communicated clearly to team members and vice versa.

Science Not Sales: Partnerships and Scientific Exchange With Industry

Parallel to the time that the nurse practitioner (NP) role evolved, pharmaceutical companies recognized the need for more scientific relationships among the academia-based physicians and researchers. The role of the medical science liaison (MSL) was first established by UpJohn in 1967, yet has grown, much like the NP role, to meet the dynamic marketplace changes in health care. To meet the true definition of being a “scientific peer,” backgrounds have become increasingly broad to include clinicians with a PhD, DNP, or physician assistant. The term “clinical practice liaison” (CPL) is used in this article, understanding that the CPL role is the same as the MSL, except that the engagement provider type is almost exclusively NPs and PAs. The CPL is not a sales representative. Rather, the CPL is a field-based professional who is strictly focused on balanced scientific and clinical exchanges.

Development of a Virtual Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service: A Multifaceted Transformation

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, our NYU Langone Health Tisch/Kimmel/Orthopedic Hospital Consultation-Liaison (CL) Psychiatry service underwent a multifaceted transformation to become a primarily Virtual CL Psychiatry service. We aimed to provide the hospital system with comprehensive psychiatric consultation for all patients, regardless of isolation status, while preserving personal protective equipment and avoiding unnecessary exposure to COVID-19 for our team members. In this article, we discuss harnessing technology for video consultations and transforming the multiple facets of an academic CL Psychiatry Service to become a comprehensive, functioning virtual consultation team during the COVID-19 pandemic. We review the history, best practices, legal, and regulatory considerations of using telepsychiatry for psychiatric consultations, challenges to implementation across multiple clinical sites, and expansion of the liaison role to include support of frontline colleagues. Finally, we provide the physician, trainee, and psychiatric nurse perspective as it relates to this transition. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2020;50(7):279–287.]

Rehabilitation Response in Pandemics.

The WHO declared a pandemic due to the serious health risk posed by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The number of infected cases is on the rise globally with escalating human, economic and societal costs. COVID-19 survivors may suffer a range of clinical, functional and psychological impairments, resulting in disabilities. Many are amenable to rehabilitation intervention. The current focus of COVID-19 management is on public health measures and acute management. As patients transfer to sub-acute care or discharged to the community, rehabilitation services need to have a number of organizational and operational models in place to provide safe effective care for patients and health professionals.There is need for global action by professional organizations in developing a structured rehabilitation approach for international response to disasters, including pandemics. This report proposes development of a ‘Rehabilitation Response Plan’ to enable the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, to provide crucial leadership and governance role in liaison and coordination with the WHO (and other stakeholders), to provide rehabilitation input during current and future pandemics. The key considerations include following categories: Governance, Coordination, Communication, Evaluation, and Care-continuum. These will strengthen rehabilitation, assist in the effective delivery of services, provide advocacy, and an international coordinated perspective.