Engaging with young professionals in transfusion medicine: Insights from a needs assessment survey targeting an international cohort

Background and objectives: Professionals who work or study in transfusion medicine under 40 years of age are considered young professionals (YPs) by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). While the ISBT provides opportunities for YPs, their needs have to be assessed to customize initiatives in a way that could potentially improve their engagement. This survey aimed to assess the needs of YPs in transfusion medicine and understand their perspectives on future ISBT initiatives.

Materials and methods: Between January and February 2023, a 28-question online survey was accessible through a generalized link across the ISBT network. Skip-logic responses from 352 YPs, including 151 ISBT members and 201 non-members, were analysed. Each question varied in the number of responders and, consequently, the number of responses.

Results: Firstly, the most important needs of YPs from the survey were educational opportunities and training programmes, with 70% of respondents indicating for educational content in specific fields of transfusion. Secondly, Transfusion Today published by the ISBT (46.9%) ranked the highest in engagement, while ISBT Academy and Academy funding ranked the lowest (12.8%). ISBT members reported attending ISBT activities or using ISBT resources more often than non-members, although this was not statistically significant. The primary barrier preventing both non-members and ISBT members from engaging in ISBT activities was a lack of awareness.

Conclusion: Raising awareness on a regular basis, a customized communication style (e.g., by a representative or different languages) and activities for non-members may be key to improving YP engagement and expanding the ISBT network.