Survey says!

APhA staff members Gina Scime and Rob Hodges, along with a service dog, at the JFPS 2015 bookstore.

Have you ever participated in a survey or focus group for APhA? The chances are high that you have at least been invited, as APhA conducts nearly 100 surveys and focus groups among pharmacists and student pharmacists each year. The valuable information that is gathered through research helps APhA better serve its members. 

I will take you on a journey of my work at APhA, and my life, with some help from Hollywood.

The first rule of research … you do not talk about research (Fight Club)

APhA’s research is essential to understanding the wants and needs of pharmacists and student pharmacists. Its research helps to evaluate member benefits, develop content for educational offerings and publications, create practice resources, determine programming for conferences, and assess members’ perspectives on critical issues facing the pharmacy profession. 

APhA’s surveys are distributed nearly every Saturday via an e-mail invitation. Based on the number of responses, the results are considered representative of and projectable to the universe of pharmacists or student pharmacists. Focus groups are conducted in-person at APhA meetings or virtually via teleconference with participants from across the country. Although the results from a group of 8 to 12 participants are not projectable, they can help to guide APhA in a particular direction. 

If you research it, they will come (Field of Dreams)

APhA conducts extensive research regarding its meetings, including the Annual Meeting & Exposition, the Joint Federal Pharmacy Seminar, the APhA–ASP Midyear Regional Meetings, the APhA Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies, and the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute. Research findings help to determine the speakers and content for sessions, as well as activities, amenities, themes, and locations. In fact, a member survey helped select the location for APhA2018, to be held in Nashville, TN, (March 16–19, 2018). 

For student pharmacists, research guides APhA in the development and improvement of benefits and resources. For example, research has helped enhance APhA’s NAPLEX review book, The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy, has led to the creation of additional resources on PharmacyLibrary, and will assist in expanding access to residency opportunities in community pharmacy. Research among the student chapters has also helped leaders bolster engagement among their members.

Research is like a box of chocolates (Forrest Gump)

As the home for all of pharmacy, APhA represents all pharmacists at every stage of their career. APhA celebrates the diversity of its membership and strives to understand the concerns of all members. Each member has a unique set of experiences that shapes his or her perspective.  

Participating in research provides members with the opportunity to share their valuable feedback, allowing APhA to better address individual needs. Engaging with APhA through research gives members the ability to influence the pharmacy profession.

Pay no attention to the woman behind the research (Wizard of Oz)

I joined APhA staff in May 2012. I am responsible for the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and communication of APhA’s market research programs to support and drive the association’s strategies and businesses. I have conducted more than 500 surveys and focus groups among pharmacists and student pharmacists.

Personally, I attended the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Communication with a minor in Art History. I was raised in Buffalo, NY, and currently reside in Arlington, VA, with my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Henry.

My research-focused career has afforded me the opportunity to learn about many issues and is especially rewarding when the research results help lead to the success of a project. I most enjoy having the ability to work with nearly every staff member throughout the year and to represent the voice of APhA’s members. 

Gina Scime is the APhA Associate Director of Market Research in Washington, DC.