Building Trust in Healthcare: The Medical Affairs Perspective
Fresh off the stage from my recent presentation at Google for Startups, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the core component of success in our industry. Whether you are in MedTech or Pharma, the foundation of every interaction is not the product, the device, or the drug. It is Trust.
For Medical Affairs teams, trust isn’t a “nice-to-have”; it is the essential currency that allows us to operate. However, trust is fragile—it takes years to build and seconds to destroy.
Drawing on my experience, I want to explore how Medical Affairs can cultivate this trust through three core pillars: Scientific Exchange, Medical Education, and Data Generation.
Sensitivity and Specificity: How Good Is That Test, Really?
Recently I spoke with a medical diagnostics company that is developing blood tests to detect cancer at a very early stage. I was fascinated. We all know: the earlier we catch a disease, the more options we have to treat it.
When reading research papers around diagnostic tests, two terms appear constantly: sensitivity and specificity. These two concepts are central to understanding how good a test really is. Yet they can be confusing—even for people with medical training.
In this post, I’ll walk you through what sensitivity and specificity mean, using simple examples that still respect the science.
Conquer Your Scientific Conference with Briefio
Conferences are thrilling, but they can be overwhelming. You want to absorb all the latest science, network effectively, and be prepared for every discussion. The secret to success? Preparation and smart use of downtime. Briefio helps you nail both.
From Clinical Frustration to App Store Solution: My Talk on Building HealthTech that Matters
It was an honor to be invited as a guest speaker at the FemTech Connect Event last Tuesday evening, an inspiring gathering organized by the Femtech Community Japan. I want to extend a sincere thank you to Tomoko Minagawa-san for the opportunity to share my perspective on the crucial intersection of clinical practice, corporate pharma, and the entrepreneurial startup world.
The event was a fantastic forum for discussing the future of healthcare technology, and it allowed me to share the core philosophy that drives us here at Briefio.
How to Nail Your Scientific Poster Presentation
Poster presentations are a staple of academic and professional conferences. While they may seem less formal than a podium talk, a well-executed poster presentation can be a powerful tool for advancing your career, connecting with peers, and getting your research noticed. It’s an opportunity to not only share your work but also to build your reputation in the scientific community. Here’s a guide to help you create an impactful poster and make the most of your presentation. The Big Picture: Why Poster Presentations Matter Beyond simply sharing your research, a poster presentation serves several key purposes: The Poster Itself: Design for Impact The poster is your primary visual aid. Its job is to grab attention and quickly communicate your key findings. Given the sheer number of posters at a conference, your design must be both informative and visually appealing. The Presentation: Be Prepared for Any Format Conferences use different formats for poster presentations, so it’s essential to be ready for anything. Regardless of the format, always be ready to engage in conversation and answer questions. The real value of a poster session is in these personal interactions. The Logistics: Don’t Let Details Trip You Up By combining a visually compelling poster with a confident and engaging presentation, you can make a lasting impression and maximize the impact of your research at any conference.
How to Run a Stellar Journal Club: More Than Just a Presentation
Journal clubs are more than just a presentation; they’re dynamic learning experiences that benefit everyone involved. The act of preparing an article for a journal club forces you to deep-dive into the material, and the process of explaining and teaching it to others solidifies your own understanding. It’s a powerful feedback loop for learning! Here are some ideas and improvements to elevate your journal club from good to great: Selecting the Right Paper: Beyond Just “Interesting” Choosing an interesting topic is key, but let’s expand on that: For screening papers, tools like Briefio can be helpful for initial sifting. However, for deep dives, always read the full text carefully, not just rely on summaries. Structuring Your Presentation: The Narrative Arc A solid outline is crucial for a compelling narrative: Beyond the Presentation: Fostering Engagement By incorporating these ideas, your journal club will not only be informative but also a truly interactive and enriching experience for everyone involved.