Applying Data Visualization, Storytelling, and Interactivity in Medical Affairs: What Journalism Can Teach Us

This presentation will explore similarities between journalism and Medical Affairs, two disciplines involved in the ethical dissemination of information and audience engagement. Both domains are bound by a common ethos: a commitment to truth, transparency, and public enlightenment. The core of the discussion will be the innovative impact of visualization and interactivity in journalism, highlighting how it has significantly enhanced audience engagement and comprehension. Real-world examples from journalism platforms such as the New York Times will be shown, analyzing the use of narrative with interactive visual elements. These examples will serve as the foundation to demonstrate how similar approaches can be used for Medical Affairs. The objective is to illustrate how the strategic incorporation of interactive tools, visualization, and personalization of content can elevate the communication of medical and scientific information making it more accessible, engaging, and meaningful for diverse audiences. By embracing the innovative techniques from journalism, Medical Affairs professionals can build stronger communications with their audience, allowing for audiences to determine what they choose to view, in what order, and to the level of complexity they prefer. The presentation aims to be a facilitator for innovation, inspiring Medical Affairs professionals to adopt and adapt journalistic interactivity and visualization to their communication strategies.