Stijn van Oirschot: A Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Driving Medical Excellence in the Netherlands.
10 February 2025
The script of the video.
• Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Stijn van Oirschot, and I’m 28 years old, and I work as an MSL in the Netherlands for around ten months now.
• What is your professional background before being an MSL?
I’m a biomedical scientist by training, and after my studies, I started working at the clinical department of a pharmaceutical company and a clinical research organization. I mainly worked as a clinical research associate.
• How would you define the MSL role?
I see the MSL as a bridge between the company and the healthcare providers. As an MSL, you gather a scientific information and support clinical research.
• What do you like about being an MSL?
I like the diversity of the MSL role. On one day you can discuss scientific data gaps with a physician and on another day you can plan the launch of a new product or a clinical trial.
• What is the most difficult thing for you about being an MSL?
It can be difficult to maintain all the different relationships and come up with innovative ideas to collaborate with healthcare professionals.
• What is the essential quality of an MSL for you?
Be able to offer support both internally and externally, and being flexible.
• What motivates you to get up in the morning as an MSL?
It is very motivating as an MSL to keep learning new medical insights and scientific information every day. Furthermore, connecting with a variety of people can be very rewarding.
• What is your most beautiful emotion experienced as an MSL?
I’m proud of our team. We completed six successful project or clinical trial. For example, only recently, we could share the news to a physician that a new clinical trial looking into ctDNA levels in melanoma.
• Any words or advice for someone wanting to become an MSL?
Be eager to keep learning new things, and be willing to work flexible, both individually, as within a team.