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Elsevier's acquisition of Osmosis marks a significant development in the health education sector. By integrating Osmosis's innovative visual learning platform, Elsevier aims to enhance its Global Medical Education portfolio. This strategic move is expected to benefit medical students, healthcare professionals, and patients, leveraging Elsevier's extensive resources and global reach to improve health literacy and education.
Founded in 2012, Osmosis is a comprehensive learning platform designed for medical, nursing, and health professional students. It offers specialized plans and library resources tailored to various medical fields, including MD, DO, PA, NP, RN, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Unique features include expert-reviewed videos, decision-making trees, flashcards, daily quizzes, and a mobile app. Osmosis stands out with its visually engaging content and evidence-based learning techniques, simplifying complex healthcare topics for over 6 million users globally.
Elsevier operates as a leading information analytics business, supporting researchers, healthcare professionals, and academic institutions. The company offers key products such as Sherpath AI, Academia Futura, and ClinicalKey AI, which enhance educational and clinical outcomes. Elsevier is recognized for its significant contributions to advancing science and healthcare through high-quality data and analytics. Its influence in the academic and healthcare sectors is underscored by its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance.
Elsevier acquired Osmosis on November 29, 2021. This acquisition occurred during a period marked by a heightened demand for healthcare education, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic underscored the need for innovative educational tools to support the growing number of healthcare professionals. Osmosis, with its evidence-based learning techniques and extensive reach, was well-positioned to meet these needs, making the acquisition a strategic move for Elsevier in enhancing its Global Medical Education portfolio.
Market Expansion: The acquisition of Osmosis allows Elsevier to significantly broaden its reach in the healthcare education market. Osmosis has a substantial presence in 195 countries, with over 2 million subscribers on its platform and a strong following on YouTube. This acquisition enables Elsevier to enhance its offerings across various segments of healthcare education, including medical and nursing students, healthcare professionals, and patients.
Technology Integration: Osmosis utilizes evidence-based learning science to create microcontent that simplifies complex medical concepts into easy-to-follow learning modules. This technology will be integrated into Elsevier’s Global Medical Education portfolio, complementing its advanced digital solutions. Elsevier also plans to leverage Osmosis’s microcontent capabilities to support the learning needs of medical students, healthcare professionals, and nursing students.
Competitive Advantage: The acquisition strengthens Elsevier’s position as a leader in healthcare education by adding Osmosis’s innovative and engaging learning solutions to its portfolio. Elsevier’s existing offerings include content, digital learning tools, and analytics for medical and nursing students. The integration of Osmosis’s visual learning platform and its extensive library of educational videos will enhance Elsevier’s ability to deliver high-quality, effective educational content, thereby improving learning outcomes and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The acquisition of Osmosis by Elsevier has led to notable changes in its operations and management. Osmosis has been integrated into Elsevier’s Global Medical Education portfolio, with Shiv Gaglani, CEO of Osmosis, taking on the role of managing director within Elsevier. The 70-employee team and the Osmosis brand will remain intact, ensuring continuity in its mission and operations. This integration leverages Elsevier's extensive resources and expertise, enhancing Osmosis's ability to deliver high-quality educational content to a broader audience.
In terms of product offerings, the merger has significantly bolstered Osmosis's capabilities. The platform now benefits from Elsevier's comprehensive digital tools and content resources, including The Lancet, Netter’s, and ClinicalKey Student. This synergy is expected to enhance the learning experience for medical students and healthcare professionals globally. Employee reactions have been positive, with a shared excitement about the alignment in mission and values. Customers, too, are likely to appreciate the enriched content and expanded reach, which aim to improve healthcare education outcomes.
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