An Overview of External Education Structure, Activities and Regulations in the MedTech Industry
Objectives:
Medical technologies such as medical devices and diagnostics are set apart from pharmaceuticals in that successful deployment depends on not only equipping health care providers with the theoretical knowledge of best and safest use but also ensuring users’ practical competence. Simply, with medical technologies across the spectrum from noninvasive diagnostics to high-risk therapeutics, clinical outcomes and patient safety depend on both proper education and proper training. In fact, this training is often a gatekeeper for use, as governments, trade organizations, and even hospitals may require medical staff to be adequately trained before new medical devices can be used in their settings. External education and training of health care professionals is largely the responsibility of External Education teams within Medical Affairs. This article details the importance of the External Education function and describes best practices for the implementation of External Education related to medical diagnostics/devices within a manufacturer’s organization.
