Since its inception nearly three decades ago, ISPOR has been instrumental in furthering its members’ training and development in the tools and techniques of health economics & outcomes research (HEOR). ISPOR short courses, educational webinars, and online resources predominantly focus on HEOR methodology, with content ranging from beginner-level fundamentals to advanced topics on the frontiers of innovation. ISPOR’s Health Economics and Outcomes Research Competencies Framework—developed to structure professional development needs and identify gaps in current training opportunities—also has a strong methodologic focus.
Yet, as the field of HEOR has matured and become more established as a profession, the prerequisites for career advancement have evolved beyond just demonstrating increasing levels of methodologic expertise. In biopharma, HEOR teams are now less siloed and more integrated with other functions, such as market access and medical affairs, as value evidence has become table stakes to a product’s commercial success. Similarly, in the larger consultancies and CROs, HEOR is less often positioned as a ‘boutique’ stand-alone and more frequently integrated into bundled service offerings that include clinical & real-world evidence generation and/or commercialization support.
The implications of these changes are significant for formulation of career advancement strategies. HEOR professionals are now expected to move beyond the science, demonstrating a broader mindset, ability to communicate effectively with non-HEOR colleagues, and greater strategic understanding of how HEOR impacts commercial objectives. This forum will review these trends, solicit guidance from industry veterans on implications for career advancement strategies, and demonstrate how the ISPOR HEOR Competency Framework and ISPOR learning programs can be leveraged for professional growth.
