STUDENT-REPORTED BARRIERS TO ISPOR CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE: A NORTH AMERICA VS. REST OF WORLD ANALYSIS
Author(s)
Godwin E. Okoye, MS, RPh1, Emeka E. Duru, BSc2, Sarah E. Gutman, PharmDc3, Aimalohi R. Okpeku, MS4, Cynthia Egbuemike, B.Pharm.5, Christina Kazarov, PharmD6, Dominique Seo, MPH7;
1University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, AUSTIN, TX, USA, 2University of Utah, Murray, UT, USA, 3Rutgers, BRIDGEWATER, NJ, USA, 4Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA, 5University of Texas at Austin Health Outcomes Division, Austin, TX, USA, 6University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Feasterville, PA, USA, 7University of Maryland Baltimore, ISPOR Student Network Chair, Baltimore, MD, USA
1University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, AUSTIN, TX, USA, 2University of Utah, Murray, UT, USA, 3Rutgers, BRIDGEWATER, NJ, USA, 4Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA, 5University of Texas at Austin Health Outcomes Division, Austin, TX, USA, 6University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Feasterville, PA, USA, 7University of Maryland Baltimore, ISPOR Student Network Chair, Baltimore, MD, USA
OBJECTIVES: Conference participation is a critical component of professional development for emerging Health Economic and Outcomes Research (HEOR) professionals. However, global inequities, particularly related to cost, visa restrictions, and institutional support, may limit access for students. This study examines student‑reported barriers to attending ISPOR conferences, comparing patterns between North America and the Rest of the World (RoW).
METHODS: A cross‑sectional online survey was distributed to ISPOR student members globally from October through December 2025 using Qualtrics. Responses were stratified by North America which includes The United States and Canada versus RoW. Descriptive statistics and chi‑square tests were used to assess differences in past attendance, future attendance intentions, and reported barriers. The barriers explored include cost/funding, visa/travel restrictions, institutional support, scheduling conflict, and limited awareness.
RESULTS: A total of 144 students completed the survey (North America: 51; RoW: 93). Past conference attendance differed significantly, with a higher proportion of North American students reporting prior in‑person ISPOR attendance (44.4% vs. 23.1%; p=0.044). Intentions to attend future conferences showed the largest regional gap: nearly half of North American students planned to attend the 2026 ISPOR Annual Conference (48.9% vs. 7.7%; p<0.001). Barriers showed strong regional stratification. Cost was the most common standalone barrier (24.4% overall), with RoW students comprising 70% of these responses. Cost combined with visa/travel restrictions accounted for 14.6% of all barriers, and 78% of these came from RoW respondents. Only 4.9% of the overall population reported “No barriers”, 66.7% of these respondents were North American students.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant regional disparities exist in past attendance, future participation intentions, and structural barriers to ISPOR conference engagement. Findings highlight the need for targeted financial support, visa‑related assistance, and stronger institutional partnerships to ensure equitable global access to ISPOR conferences and professional development opportunities.
METHODS: A cross‑sectional online survey was distributed to ISPOR student members globally from October through December 2025 using Qualtrics. Responses were stratified by North America which includes The United States and Canada versus RoW. Descriptive statistics and chi‑square tests were used to assess differences in past attendance, future attendance intentions, and reported barriers. The barriers explored include cost/funding, visa/travel restrictions, institutional support, scheduling conflict, and limited awareness.
RESULTS: A total of 144 students completed the survey (North America: 51; RoW: 93). Past conference attendance differed significantly, with a higher proportion of North American students reporting prior in‑person ISPOR attendance (44.4% vs. 23.1%; p=0.044). Intentions to attend future conferences showed the largest regional gap: nearly half of North American students planned to attend the 2026 ISPOR Annual Conference (48.9% vs. 7.7%; p<0.001). Barriers showed strong regional stratification. Cost was the most common standalone barrier (24.4% overall), with RoW students comprising 70% of these responses. Cost combined with visa/travel restrictions accounted for 14.6% of all barriers, and 78% of these came from RoW respondents. Only 4.9% of the overall population reported “No barriers”, 66.7% of these respondents were North American students.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant regional disparities exist in past attendance, future participation intentions, and structural barriers to ISPOR conference engagement. Findings highlight the need for targeted financial support, visa‑related assistance, and stronger institutional partnerships to ensure equitable global access to ISPOR conferences and professional development opportunities.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
OP3
Topic
Organizational Practices
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas