The "Elevate" by MAPS Podcast

Hosted by Medical Affairs Professional Society

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Episodes

233

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

This is the "Elevate" podcast by the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS). MAPS is the premier non-profit global Medical Affairs organization FOR Medical Aﬀairs professionals BY Medical Affairs professionals across all diﬀerent levels of experience/specialty. Together with over 15,000+ Medical Affairs members from 280+ companies globally, MAPS is transforming the Medical Affairs profession to increase its value to patients, HCPs, industry and society. JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

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June 9, 2026Episode 169 min

SciTech & AI Series: Smarter Summaries, Better Decisions: AI Across Medical Affairs

Welcome to Episode 4 of the SciTech Critical Evaluation of Literature and AI Series: “Smarter Summaries, Better Decisions: AI Across Medical Affairs"Medical Affairs teams handle a flood of scientific data, so how can AI help turn complexity into clarity? Join experts from the MAPS Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain to discover how AI tools evaluate evidence for diverse functions, from field teams to HEOR and publications.In this session, you’ll learn practical strategies for creating concise, decision-ready summaries and explore why context and clinical relevance must guide every AI-driven workflow. If you want to leverage AI to evaluate evidence, podcast is for you!Learning Objectives:Describe how AI tools adapt evidence evaluation for different Medical Affairs functionsExplore how field medical, medical communications, publications, medical information, and HEOR teams can prompt the same data set differently to generate outputs tailored to their specific needs.Demonstrate strategies to create concise, decision-ready summaries using AILearn practical prompting and structuring techniques that convert complex scientific literature into clear, stakeholder-specific deliverables that support better strategic and scientific decisions.Explain why context and applicability are essential in AI-enabled evidence workflowsUnderstand how role-specific context, intended use, and decision impact must guide both the prompting and interpretation of AI-generated outputs.Hear more from the Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain through their position paper: "Safeguarding Scientific Rigor in the Critical Evaluation of Literature"

June 2, 2026Episode 159 min

SciTech & AI Series: Humans + AI: Making Sense of Scientific Papers at Scale

Welcome to Episode 3 of the SciTech Critical Evaluation of Literature and AI Series: “Humans + AI: Making Sense of Scientific Papers at Scale"AI can read hundreds of scientific papers in minutes, but can it truly understand them? Join experts from the MAPS Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping literature review in Medical Affairs.In this session, you’ll learn what AI can and cannot do with scientific content, uncover practical applications of leading tools like CoPilot and Notebook LM. We’ll also tackle common risks such as hallucinations and lack of context, and share strategies to validate AI outputs while keeping clinical judgment front and center. If you want to harness AI without losing the human touch, this webinar is for you!Learning Objectives:Understand what AI can—and cannot—do with scientific literatureExplain how AI processes papers using NLP and LLMs, and why clinical judgment remains essential.Explore practical applications of leading AI toolsReview the capabilities, pros, and cons of tools like CoPilot and Notebook LM for Medical Affairs workflows.Recognize limitations and risks in AI-driven literature reviewIdentify common issues such as hallucinations, lack of context, and strategies to validate AI outputs.Hear more from the Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain through their position paper: "Safeguarding Scientific Rigor in the Critical Evaluation of Literature"

May 26, 2026Episode 1410 min

SciTech & AI Series: Literature Never Sleeps: Staying Ahead Without Burning Out

Welcome to Episode 2 of the SciTech Critical Evaluation of Literature and AI Series: “Literature Never Sleeps: Staying Ahead Without Burning Out"Literature never sleeps and neither do the challenges of keeping Medical Affairs teams up to date.Join experts from the MAPS Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain to discover practical strategies for managing the deluge of data. We’ll explore how AI can accelerate evidence synthesis while highlighting its limitations and the critical role of human judgment. If you’re looking for smarter ways to stay current, this podcast is for you!Learning Objectives:Identify key challenges in keeping Medical Affairs teams currentUnderstand the impact of preprints, grey literature, bibliometrics, and predatory journals on evidence appraisal.Evaluate the role and limitations of AI in literature reviewRecognize how AI can accelerate evidence evaluation while appreciating the need for human judgment and safeguards against errors.Apply best practices for confidentiality and critical assessment of AI outputsLearn practical steps to ensure secure data handling and train teams to validate AI-generated insights effectively.Hear more from the Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain through their position paper: "Safeguarding Scientific Rigor in the Critical Evaluation of Literature"

May 20, 2026Episode 1310 min

SciTech & AI Series: Evidence Unlocked: Separating Gold from Gravel

Welcome to Episode 1 of the SciTech Critical Evaluation of Literature and AI Series: “Evidence Unlocked: Separating Gold from Gravel"Not all evidence is created equal, so how do you separate gold from gravel? Join experts from the MAPS Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain for a fast-paced session designed to simplify critical appraisal for busy professionals. In just a few minutes, you’ll learn how to navigate the hierarchy of evidence and apply practical frameworks. We’ll also share a step-by-step approach for rapid evaluation, helping you assess robustness, and clinical relevance without getting lost in complexity. If you want to make smarter, faster evidence-based decisions, this podcast is for you!Learning Objectives: Understand the hierarchy of evidenceExplain the differences between randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, real-world data, and preprints, and why they matter for evidence quality.Recognize key frameworks for critical appraisalIntroduce GRADE, PRISMA, and CONSORT as practical tools for evaluating robustness, reproducibility, and clinical relevance.Apply a rapid evaluation approachProvide a simple, step-by-step method for quickly assessing scientific literature without compromising rigor.Hear more from the Scientific & Technical Knowledge Domain through their position paper: "Safeguarding Scientific Rigor in the Critical Evaluation of Literature"

May 12, 2026Episode 1212 min

Leading in Times of Change: Part 3

In the final part of this 3-part series, experts from the MAPS Leadership and Management Domain wrap up their discussion on understanding change. How does it impact our teams, and how can our leaders guide their teams through change?Through this episode, Medical Affairs professionals may gain a better understanding of why change feels so hard right now and learn about what we can do to support each other and really thrive during these times of uncertainty.

April 30, 2026Episode 1123 min

Lawsuits, Black Boxes & Hallucinations: Navigating the Complexity of Copyright & AI

Medical affairs teams are implementing AI tools to take advantage of the transformative efficiencies they bring, and successful AI adoption requires responsible AI governance, including managing copyright risk. In this podcast, Lauren Tulloch, Vice President and Managing Director, CCC, addresses the unique challenges facing medical affairs professionals whose daily work with scientific articles and other published content increasingly intersects with AI and complex copyright considerations. Tulloch will guide listeners through the tangled legal landscape around AI, discussing court cases and proposed regulation. She will also debunk common copyright misconceptions and provide actionable insights for navigating copyright compliance in an AI-driven world. Listeners will learn about what to consider when choosing, designing, and deploying AI-powered solutions, and Tulloch will also lay out practical strategies for managing copyright risk while taking advantage of the efficiencies and other benefits AI promises.

April 28, 2026Episode 1014 min

Leading in Times of Change: Part 2

In Part 2 of this 3-part series, experts from the MAPS Leadership and Management Domain continue this discussion on understanding change. How does it impact our teams, and how can our leaders guide their teams through change?Through this episode, Medical Affairs professionals may gain a better understanding of why change feels so hard right now and learn about what we can do to support each other and really thrive during these times of uncertainty.

April 7, 2026Episode 927 min

Turning Vision Into Value: Medical Affairs Impact in Practice

Building and demonstrating medical impact is becoming a central priority for organizations seeking to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients, healthcare systems, and society. But what does it take to design, implement, and sustain an effective impact framework within a medical affairs setting? In this podcast, we bring together medical leaders who have successfully navigated this journey in their own organizations.Through an engaging discussion, they share the motivations that drove their initiatives - whether responding to unmet needs, seizing strategic opportunities, or adapting to evolving organizational contexts. Listeners will hear practical insights into how frameworks were designed, the principles that guided them, and how approaches were tailored to align with specific structures, cultures, and therapeutic areas.The conversation also explores real-world outcomes: how impact is measured and recognized, what changes have emerged since implementation, and the role of data and technology in accelerating progress. Leaders candidly reflect on unexpected challenges and benefits, while offering practical advice for peers who are starting or refining their own frameworks.Looking ahead, our speakers share their perspectives on the future evolution of impact capabilities-and the enablers that will drive success in the years to come.

March 17, 2026Episode 828 min

Reinventing MLR: What Happens When AI Joins the Review Room?

As Medical Affairs teams face rising content volumes, tighter timelines, and increasing complexity, many leaders are asking the same question: Can AI meaningfully improve the MLR review process—and if so, where do we start? In this practical, scenario-based session, members of the MAPS Medical Governance and Compliance Domain will explore high value GenAI use cases and where it can supplement human judgment. We’ll also discuss governance essentials, and a logical roadmap for responsible adoption, giving attendees the clarity and confidence needed to begin their own AI-enabled transformation. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understand the current situation and pain points with MLRUnderstand how GenAI tools can be responsibly introduced into the MLR workflow, highlighting high-value use cases and realistic implementation stepsUnderstand key governance and implementation considerationsSPEAKERSModeratorJaymesh Patel, Director & Strategic Partner - Global Medical Ethics, AstrazenecaSpeaker 1Anneka Kapur, Senior Final Medical Signatory and Compliance Lead, LundbeckSpeaker 2Dr William Mwiti, Biopharma Medical Head: Sub Saharan & French Speaking Africa, Astrazeneca

March 10, 2026Episode 717 min

Meaningful DOL Partnerships to Counter Global Misinformation

Health misinformation is a critical threat to global public health. It erodes confidence in vaccines and medicines, fuels pandemic denialism, promotes unproven treatments, and undermines public health efforts. Medical Affairs sits at the centre of this challenge. We have a clear ethical responsibility to ensure patients make informed, evidence-based decisions about their care, and to equip healthcare professionals with the information and tools needed to address misinformation in the clinical setting. However, this approach carries inherent time and resource limitations.In this episode, we explore the role of Digital Opinion Leaders (DOLs) as a core pillar of modern healthcare communications. DOLs have the power to shape conversations, steer search behaviours, and can either amplify misinformation or help correct it. We examine the different DOL profiles and personas, discuss best practices for building effective long-term partnerships that leverage their individuality, preferences, and regional specificities, and consider how DOL engagement should be embedded into medical and cross-functional planning.We will draw on early insights from an ongoing pilot in Sub-Saharan Africa, analysing how patients and healthcare workers use social platforms and messaging apps – enabling us to identify trusted DOLs we can partner with to design effective health education and advocacy programmes.