'You Do What?!' IAHPC member survey findings

By Alison Ramsey
Pallinews Editor

We Hear You

If our members were surprised to learn about the many benefits they are entitled to access, our team was equally surprised to learn how few members actually know about those benefits!

While new benefits are publicized in Pallinews as well as email blasts for those who sign up to receive them, it is clear that more can and should be done to inform members about all member benefits.

Rest assured that we are brainstorming about how to best do that. Members can expect to see more activity about current and upcoming IAHPC benefits on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and a renewed commitment to publicize useful resources that are not brand new.

While close to 200 of the 229 respondents to IAHPC's member survey were satisfied or very satisfied with the organization and its offerings, one result was startling: many were unaware of the membership benefits they are entitled to.

The geographic breakdown of respondents was the following:

IAHPC's courses

For instance, only a third of respondents knew about IAHPC's flagship, online courses in global advocacy, pain management, and symptom management. (Click on "Education" in the Members' Section.)

Feedback from those who accessed IAHPC courses:

"They were very comprehensive courses and presented from an international perspective, which I appreciate."

"As a palliative medicine doctor, it served as a great reminder of some aspects of pain control and affirmed how I am practicing. The patient-based cases were wonderful!"

"Finding time to get through these courses [is a challenge]."

Feedback from those unaware of, or had not accessed, the courses:

"I just joined about a month ago and am still figuring out what resources are available to me."

"They were never offered to me."

"I need more information for each course."

IAHPC publications

The vast majority of respondents who reported accessing IAHPC publications, such as books (including eBooks) and our Palliative Care Reference Cards, were either satisfied or very satisfied. However, about two-thirds of respondents said they were unaware of these resources. (See "Tools" and "Books" in the Members' Section.)

Feedback from those who accessed IAHPC publications:

"The books are well written and user-friendly."

"Very good technical materials."

"IAHPC books and reference cards are useful tools for the clinical team & the students on our courses."

Feedback from those unaware of, or had not accessed, the resource:

"You didn't advertise them to me."

"I think that IAHPC offers a wide range of opportunities to enrich one's knowledge of palliative care, and I'll soon be seeing how I can take advantage of these different tools."

"Most information we seek is in journal articles."

Other resources

By contrast, about half of all respondents knew about IAHPC's global database on palliative care and global data platform on serious-health-related suffering.

Some comments:

"The databases require updating."

"I needed some information there to write a grant."

"Precise, clear, and the only information in the field."

"I am unsure how to use them."

Grants & prizes

This category included our two photo contests, the LEAD program, IAHPC fellowships, and IAHPC's Recognition Awards. The least number of respondents (about 50) were aware of them. (See all programs by scrolling down in the Members' Section.)

Some comments:

"I didn't receive an invitation to participate."

"I have been busy with [my] studies."

"So excited to learn about all of these things!"

Delegations & projects

Just one-third of survey respondents knew that IAHPC members can apply to join our delegations at United Nations meetings, and even fewer—about one-quarter of them—knew that they can be involved in our various research projects. (Contact Katherine Pettus to apply to join a delegation. Contact Liliana De Lima if you want to participate in research projects.)

Some comments:

"I do not know how to participate."

"Usually your sponsorships need to be topped up by myself or my organization."

"I was given an opportunity to participate by my organization."

"I would like to participate in future."

Etc.

The IAHPC seal showcasing institutions' IAHPC membership was uploaded by 36%; 54% of institutions were unaware of its existence while 10% are not permitted to use it.

Fully 70% of respondents agreed that membership fees are “just right for what you offer," with 11% saying fees are too low and 19% that they are too high.

The vast majority reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their membership; just six said they were dissatisfied. Of the 178 respondents who queried IAHPC for one reason or another, 163 were satisfied or very satisfied.

Pallinews was rated as either extremely or very useful and interesting by 172 respondents.

And, finally, how can we help each other?

Respondents selected how they most wanted IAHPC to help and support them from a multiple-choice list.

An open-ended question asking how members can advance IAHPC's mission elicited the following suggestions:

"Organize fundraising events to collect funds for IAHPC."

"Create working/interest groups."

"Sponsor/mentor activities."

"Facilitate internships."

“Great question. I wonder if you ask people for what type of work they would be interested in helping with—and then you get a list of names that you can call upon, and it would help you train new leaders."

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