(65) Introducing The Dutch ISPE Student Chapter

Sunday, August 28, 2022

8:00 AM – 1:45 PM CEST

Location: Hall C

Publication Number: 1110

Presenting Author(s)

Melissa Leung
– Utrecht University, Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

Co-Author(s)

David Liang
– PhD Student, Utrecht University, Utrecht University for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Division for Pharmaco-epidemiology & Clinical Pharmacology, Netherlands
Taichi Ochi
– Ph.D student, Department of PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Netherlands, Voorburg, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Ajda Bedene, MPharm
– Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
Helga Gardarsdottir, PhD, FISPE
– Associate Professor, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

Background: Network-building while studying pharmacoepidemiology facilitates opportunities for future research and enriches students’ prospects following graduation. From the listed ISPE student chapters, 2 institutions (out of 28) are located in Europe, of which one partly located in the US. This demonstrates a gap in opportunities for pharmacoepidemiology students in Europe to engage with each other.

Objectives: To establish and raise awareness of the Dutch ISPE student chapter and facilitate pharmacoepidemiologic research collaborations between students.

Methods: A screening was conducted of research universities in the Netherlands that provide pharmacoepidemiology and epidemiology study programmes, followed by an enquiry to selected departments for their interest in a Dutch ISPE student chapter. Next, additional participants were contacted through snowball sampling. In teleconference meetings, the participants established the mission, vision, and outline of activities of the student chapter. A summary of activities of the student chapter will be shared as part of the Annual Report of ISPE student chapters.

Results: Out of 17 research universities in the Netherlands, 5 were identified as potential institutions hosting pharmacoepidemiology PhD students: University of Groningen, Utrecht University, Erasmus Medical Centre, Leiden University Medical Centre and Maastricht University. They were contacted; PhD students from the University of Groningen (n = 1) and Utrecht University (n = 4) participated in the initial call and drafted an outline of the aims of the student chapter. In addition, they approached participants from personal networks to join. Students from each aforementioned university joined the initiative, and prepared the application submission and a plan to engage additional universities.

Conclusions: Setting up the Dutch student chapter has established a foundation for pharmacoepidemiology students across 5 institutions to engage with each other, with ongoing recruitment of students. Over the coming years, the student chapter aims to expand its network and cement the activities undertaken to support growing collaborations.