Educational Support Materials

AMANDA G. KENNEDY, PHARMD, BCPSDirector, The Vermont Academic Detailing Program

Support MaterialsWhat support materials are:

• Paper or electronic visual aids that support a tailored, interactive conversation• Brochures or “Un Ads”• Clinical papers or evidence documents• Reference cards• Risk calculators• Checklists or office tools• Prescriber or clinic data

Support Materials

What support materials are not:

• PowerPoint lecture slides• Copies of every scientific paper used to prepare

your module or presentation topic• Individual-level data that will be used punitively

Why use support materials?To accommodate various learning stylesTo guide conversations and stay “on track”To reinforce key messagesTo read, share, or be referred to after you leave

Managing Materials before a VisitPlan ahead!Determine what materials are needed to support key

messagesPractice using materials

Avoid shuffling papers during a conversationHave the materials ready to use, without delay

Be selectiveDon’t overwhelm the clinician with too much materialAdjust based on the conversation (e.g. not every provider

will want a copy of a study, but some will)

During a Visit: EnvironmentWhere will the visit take place?

In an office?In a conference room? Standing in a hallway?

Who will be at the visit?One detailer to one providerSmall groupMix of providers and staff

Some materials are better in one situation vs. anotherEnsure sufficient quantity of materials

During a Visit: Body PositionCoordinate your body position and

the position of the material so it is:Close enough to be read easilyAngled so that your participant can

comfortably see it

Materials support, but do not replace, the conversation!

During a Visit: Material ControlManage the “control” of material

Whoever holds the material is in charge of the conversation

Avoid a tug of warHave back-up materials available, just in casePlan ahead for how you will handle the situation so that

you are prepared if you lose control of the materialsHow will you stay in control of the conversation?

Closing a Visit: Sharing MaterialsLeaving materials behind:

Materials are costly resources; make sure those resources are put to good use.

Will it be read/referred to?Will it be shared?

Dangers of Support MaterialsPoor familiarity with materials undermining credibilityAllowing the materials to turn a tailored, interactive

conversation into a didactic presentationOver-reliance on materialsLosing ‘control’ of the materialsFailure to recognize that some situations are better

suited for specific types of materials than others Some situations are not suitable for any materials

Effectively using Support Materials

Supports your key messagesProvides useful repetitionHelps clarify complex informationHelps customize a visit to meet the needs of a participantContinues to live on after your visit ends