Benchworks Deploys an Internet Based Peer to Peer Education Program for Major Pharmaceutical Company

Tuesday, August 31st - 2010

 

CHESTERTOWN, MD— Benchworks was hired to deploy a virtual expert speaker program for a major pharmaceutical company for several of their bands.  Benchworks matches the key opinion leaders (KOLs) with the physicians in the field in a videoconference format.  Benchworks coordinates the schedule with the sales representatives and the target physicians to arrange the videoconference.  On the day of the conference, the sales rep arrives in the physician’s office with a MacPro laptop provided by Benchworks.  The KOL logs into the meeting room with another computer provided by Benchworks to start the session.  Benchworks has configured the laptops to almost automatically enter the meeting upon connecting to the internet.  Only the websites needed for the virtual speaker program can be accessed on the computers.  
During the conference, Benchworks is available to assist with any log-in or technical issues and acts as silent moderators during the call.  Benchworks also documents any necessary information for the FDA on behalf of the pharmaceutical company.  Benchworks closes the meeting by thanking everyone for their participation and asking them to fill out a brief survey about the program.  Feedback has been very positive. 
In addition to providing the computers and the online support, Benchworks provides all marketing collateral and printed material to promote the program implementation, support and evaluation.  The sales representatives like the flexibility of the program and the “support provided by Benchworks.”  On a cost per target basis, the virtual speaker program is more cost effective than dinner programs because it reaches 100% of its targets, and because of the convenience and ease of the program, the pharmaceutical company was able to reach 65% more target physicians who would not have attended a dinner program.
Everybody wins with a virtual expert speaker program to promote a brand’s unique medical profile…the participating physicians, the key opinion leader/speaker, and the pharmaceutical sales representatives.  The physicians like the one-on-one interactive, practical information they receive on their own time in the comfort of their private office without travel; the speakers get an attentive audience, can cover a lot of material in a short period of time, and answer questions as they arise; and the sales representatives commented, “the virtual programs bring a huge value to my doctors because sometimes they cannot get out to dinner programs so it fits into their schedule in the privacy of their office, it doesn’t take away from their personal time and it allows for the format to be specific to the physicians’ related questions. “
The virtual expert speaker/KOL program is becoming very popular because of its convenience, flexibility, one-on-one interaction with a knowledgeable key opinion leader, and the feedback which is provided by all participants.  Benchworks has taken pharmaceutical sales to the next level.

CHESTERTOWN, MD— Benchworks was hired to deploy an internet based peer to peer education program for a major pharmaceutical company for several of their brands.  Benchworks matches the key opinion leaders (KOLs) with the physicians in the field in a videoconference format.  Benchworks coordinates the schedule with the sales representatives and the target physicians to arrange the videoconference.  On the day of the conference, the sales rep arrives in the physician’s office with a MacPro laptop provided by Benchworks.  The KOL logs into the meeting room with another computer provided by Benchworks to start the session.  Benchworks has configured the laptops to almost automatically enter the meeting upon connecting to the internet.  Only the websites needed for the virtual speaker program can be accessed on the computers.  

During the conference, Benchworks is available to assist with any log-in or technical issues and acts as silent moderators during the call.  Benchworks also documents any necessary information for the FDA on behalf of the pharmaceutical company.  Benchworks closes the meeting by thanking everyone for their participation and asking them to fill out a brief survey about the program.  Feedback has been very positive. 

In addition to providing the computers and the online support, Benchworks provides all marketing collateral and printed material to promote the program implementation, support and evaluation.  The sales representatives like the flexibility of the program and the “support provided by Benchworks.”  On a cost per target basis, the virtual speaker program is more cost effective than dinner programs because it reaches 100% of its targets, and because of the convenience and ease of the program, the pharmaceutical company was able to reach 65% more target physicians who would not have attended a dinner program.

Everybody wins with a virtual expert speaker program to promote a brand’s unique medical profile…the participating physicians, the key opinion leader/speaker, and the pharmaceutical sales representatives.  The physicians like the one-on-one interactive, practical information they receive on their own time in the comfort of their private office without travel; the speakers get an attentive audience, can cover a lot of material in a short period of time, and answer questions as they arise; and the sales representatives commented, “the virtual programs bring a huge value to my doctors because sometimes they cannot get out to dinner programs so it fits into their schedule in the privacy of their office, it doesn’t take away from their personal time and it allows for the format to be specific to the physicians’ related questions.

The virtual expert speaker/KOL program is becoming very popular because of its convenience, flexibility, one-on-one interaction with a knowledgeable key opinion leader, and the feedback which is provided by all participants.  Benchworks has taken pharmaceutical peer to peer education to the next level.