Pharmafile Logo

Do Healthcare Providers Really Want to Go Back to In-person Meetings?

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are increasingly seeking flexibility and convenience in their interactions with pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. This shift towards digital and blended approaches presents a valuable opportunity for life sciences organizations to enhance their communication and build stronger relationships with HCPs.

- PMLiVE

It is easy to assume that healthcare providers (HCPs) all want to go back to in-person meetings after having been confined to Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings during the pandemic years. Anecdotally, however, we heard different things: many HCPs highlighted the convenience of the virtual format and considered this a silver lining from the long months of social and physical distancing. In a recent study by our group, the authors sought to understand this. They asked the very important question: what do HCPs really prefer when it comes to Pharma-sponsored small-group meetings such as advisory boards?

Preferred Meeting Format of HCPs

Male healthcare provider (HCP) attending a virtual meetingWhen asked about their preference for future advisory board meetings, a whopping 76% of surveyed HCPs opted for meetings with a virtual component (hybrid, real-time web, and/or asynchronous meetings). Less than a quarter of respondents preferred in-person–only meetings. Interestingly, the most popular meeting approach was found to be a mix of synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (over-time, anytime) meetings. This finding highlights the importance of using varied formats to cater to all preferences and to avoid digital fatigue.

Another interesting finding was that the preference for hybrid meetings almost doubled between 2022 and 2023, while the preference for in-person–only meetings remained stable. In other words, while many HCPs undoubtedly do still enjoy in-person engagements, giving them the choice of how to attend will help ensure that everyone is happy…

Read the full article here.

 

This content was provided by Impetus Digital

Company Details

 Latest Content from  Impetus Digital 

Boost Publication Collaboration Virtually – Engaging Your Advisors Creatively

Tired of traditional advisory board limitations? Explore innovative ways to engage your KOLs, HCPs, and MSLs in our new series! Learn how to co-create impactful publications virtually in our first...

NEW WEBINAR! From Clicks to Outcomes: Measuring the Impact of Your Medical Education Platform

Struggling to quantify the value of your medical education platform and prove its ROI? Join our upcoming Pharma-exclusive webinar to learn real-work strategies and tips for developing a Med Ed...

Fostering Fun and Engagement – Building Company Culture Virtually

Who says remote work can't be fun? Discover creative ways to boost morale and keep your life sciences team engaged with virtual activities!

Embracing Webcams in Virtual Meetings – Building Company Culture Virtually

Tired of the disconnect in virtual meetings? Discover how using webcams can enhance communication, build stronger relationships, and create a more engaging work environment.

Embracing Vulnerability in Virtual Leadership – Building Company Culture Virtually

Leadership is about more than guidance—it's about vulnerability. Learn how being genuine and approachable can foster trust and open communication, creating a psychologically safe space for your team to thrive....

Mastering Outcome vs. Process Control in Remote Work – Building Company Culture Virtually

Struggling to manage your remote pharma teams effectively? Discover the power of outcome control. Learn how trusting your team to achieve results, their way, can lead to greater productivity and...

Do Healthcare Providers Really Want to Go Back to In-person Meetings?

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are increasingly seeking flexibility and convenience in their interactions with pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. This shift towards digital and blended approaches presents a valuable opportunity for...

Defining Team Roles and Meeting Attendance – Building Company Culture Virtually

Are your virtual meetings crowded and unfocused? Discover how defining clear team roles and selectively inviting attendees can drastically improve meeting productivity. Find out how to use asynchronous tools to...

See What’s Shaping Pharma Education in 2025: Join Our Free Webinar

From AI to VR, and everything in between—explore the cutting-edge tools revolutionizing medical training. Learn why these advancements are crucial for maintaining standards and excelling in the rapidly evolving landscape...

Optimizing Team Meetings in Remote Work – Building Company Culture Virtually

Rethink your approach to team meetings in a remote setting. Discover strategies for balancing synchronous and asynchronous communications to maximize decision-making and minimize meeting fatigue. Explore our tips for structuring...