OBJECTIVES

To describe trends in the development and responses to ISPOR Student Interest Survey from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

METHODS

Results from five years of the ISPOR Student Interest Survey were analyzed for trends in development and student responses to major question themes. We assessed variations in the language and formatting of questions year-on-year throughout the study period. Student responses to the major question themes (demographics, events/topics of interest for meetings, and participation in the student organization) were analyzed across surveys. Process evaluations for survey reporting were conducted.

RESULTS

Over the study period, the survey has gradually developed from one combined survey (interest/membership benefits) to an annual interest and a bi-annual member benefit survey. The survey has evolved to include questions specific to committees and ISPOR staff. Survey response options have moved from binary to 10-point Likert scales. The number of survey respondents increased from 218 (2015-16) to 336 (2019-20). North America accounted for the highest number of respondents throughout the study period. The majority of respondents had a BA/BS degree across all years, except 2015-2016, the majority having a MA/MS. Approximately 60% of respondents were involved with an ISPOR chapter throughout the study period. Economic evaluation was the topic of highest interest across all surveys, except in 2016-17 when “career skills” was identified. Interest in Student Network events at the annual conference varied with student-faculty reception ranked highest in 2015-16 and 2019-20, mentoring opportunities through round-table discussions in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and the research spotlight in 2018-19. As of 2018-2019, tailored results are distributed to committees for annual planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the study period, several changes have been made to improve the survey's utility. The Student Network committees and ISPOR staff use these findings to tailor conferences and student events in order to provide a valuable experience to student members and increase member engagement.