CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The medical education landscape is challenging for the medical device sector as organizations face a confluence of sometimes contradictory pressures. The device sector, and its education programs, is expanding into emerging markets while also facing tight budgets because of the medical device tax. Meanwhile, the role of technology continues to grow as medical education leaders search for effective new ways to engage healthcare practitioners.

To survive in this evolving environment, it's important for medical education groups to have appropriate staffing and investment levels that can drive growth in both emerging areas and the adoption of new technologies. Staffing and investment levels are key levers that influence the effectiveness of medical education groups.

To help inform medical education leaders on current approaches to medical education group size, service-levels, resources, and technology use, Best Practices®, LLC conducted a new study, "Professional Medical Education Excellence: Structures, Resources, Services & Performance Levels to Optimize Medical Device Education Groups." The study - which provides segments for both medical device and pharmaceutical participants - presents medical education leaders' perspective on current and future trends for staffing and investment.

The study also informs education leaders on trends in the use of technology for education, the presence of education in emerging markets and how education groups are allocating their budget.

The research project found that on-demand Medical Education programs have proven popular in both pharma and device sectors as it offers busy physicians the flexibility to choose their timing for education. Almost 60 percent of the pharmaceutical segments' education programs in the past year were either on-demand or online Webcasts, according to the study

This 85-page study covers the following topics:

• Organizational Fit & Geographic Focus
• Staffing Benchmarks & Program Trends
• Roles for Key Activities & Program Deployment
• Budget Benchmarks & Allocation Trends
• Trends & Directions

The research project included observations and insights from 40 leaders with 35 medical device and pharmaceutical companies. Participants included 14 medical education leaders from 10 medical device firms and 26 leaders from 25 biopharma companies. To learn more about this report, download a complimentary report excerpt at http://www3.best-in-class.com/rr1195.htm.

For related research, visit our Best Practices, LLC Web site at www.best-in-class.com/. 

ABOUT BEST PRACTICES, LLC

Best Practices, LLC is a leading benchmarking, consulting and advisory services firm serving biopharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide. Best Practices, LLC's clients include all the top 10 and 48 of the top 50 global healthcare companies. The firm conducts primary research and consulting using its comprehensive proprietary benchmarking tools and analysis. The operational insights, findings and analysis form the basis for our Benchmarking Reports, databases and advisory services to support executives in commercial and R&D operations. Best Practices, LLC believes in the profound principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class companies.

SOURCE Best Practices, LLC