Motivating Factors For Membership: What Are The Motivating Factors For Student Pharmacists And Pharmacists To Join Professional Pharmacy Organizations, Like The California Pharmacists Association?

CPhA is the largest state association representing the profession of pharmacy in all pharmacy practice settings; with a mission of promoting public health through the advancement of pharmacy, CPhA strives to support and advocate for pharmacists and student pharmacists. Still, most California-licensed pharmacists and student pharmacists are not members of the association and, thus, forgo the numerous membership benefits and advocacy opportunities. This raises the question, “What factors motivate and/or prohibit student pharmacists and pharmacists from joining professional pharmacy organizations, like CPhA?” This study aims to identify the factors that influence membership – or lack thereof – in professional pharmacy organizations, like CPhA, and to determine the extent to which such factors are believed to be accounted for through membership.

To identify factors that play a role in membership decisions, a literature review was conducted using PubMed. Based on findings, a Qualtrics survey was developed encompassing participants’ demographics, professional association involvement, and membership influencing factors. To evaluate these factors and the degree to which participants believe membership covers these factors, Likert scale responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Our study found that factors that influence membership decisions are variable both within and among all groups and that the degree and understanding of factors that are accounted for in membership vary between members and nonmembers. Additionally, results suggest that more pharmacists are likely to consider the cost of membership, while more student pharmacists are likely to consider perceived professional benefit, in making membership decisions.

Membership in organizations like CPhA is critical for advancing the pharmacy profession. The association helps better each individual member and the profession as a whole. This research serves to inform leaders of professional pharmacy associations about factors that contribute to membership decisions and influence a multifaceted approach to increasing involvement within these organizations.