Exploring young pharmacists' and pharmaceutical scientists' needs and expectations within an international pharmacy organization: Findings from FIP's needs assessment survey

Background
Engaging youth in the activities of health organizations is imperative to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The International Pharmaceutical Federation Young Pharmacists Group (FIP YPG) was formally launched in 2001 to increase the engagement of young pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. Additionally, FIP YPG was set up to foster their potential for leadership within the various Sections and Special Interest Groups of FIP in the areas of pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy education. With the new ONE FIP strategy, achieving the goal of advancing pharmacy together as ONE organization, FIP and FIP YPG looked into the needs and expectations of its members to achieve synergy and amplify outcomes.

Objectives
FIP YPG carried out a needs-assessment survey to explore the needs and expectations of its members in order to better align FIP's goals and its members' needs.
Methods
An online survey was conducted between 1 May 2019 and 2 June 2019 of the members of FIP YPG. Invitations to complete the questionnaire were sent out by email to all FIP YPG members. The questionnaire included participant demographics; satisfaction on current FIP YPG activities, participation in FIP YPG activities; preferred activities of FIP YPG; expectations from FIP YPG and presence of national/regional YPG in the members’ respective geographies.
Results
The survey elicited a response rate of 37.25%. Sixty-seven percent of members were satisfied with current FIP YPG activities. The most preferred activity and the main reason for joining the organization was ‘networking opportunities.’ ‘Newsletter’ (as a reader) was the most common resource selected by participants (71%). Newsletters were also the preferred platform for communication (75.32%). ‘International YPG conference’ was found to be the focus of members' preference (59.49%). Nearly a majority FIP YPG members preferred webinars focused on ‘Career development’ (44.94%). The preferred type of project to be involved in were ‘Inter-professional collaboration projects’ (45.57%). ‘Exploration of opportunities and incentives for implementing new professional services’ was found to be the preferred topic for research survey (33.54%).
Conclusion
FIP YPG members' needs were descriptively analyzed for the purpose of better alignment of the organization's goals with members' goals. Networking, collaborations, career and leadership development and effective communication, among other aspects, were found to be the main interests of the members surveyed. The survey findings have been employed in the development of strategic plans for FIP YPG members and how FIP YPG can be an effective launching platform for the future roles in FIP.