Tanya E. Davison

Facilitating donor compliance with strategies to prevent vasovagal reactions: comparison of web-based and in-center approaches

Research has documented beneficial effects of water loading (WL) and applied muscle tension (AMT) on reducing self‐reported vasovagal reactions (VVRs) in whole blood (WB) donors. However, the optimal approach to reducing VVRs using these strategies in routine blood collection practice is not known. This study evaluated the effectiveness of embedding newly developed web‐based and on‐site donor education materials to increase the use of these two prevention techniques during blood collection.

What motivates men to donate blood? A systematic review of the evidence

Effective recruitment and retention of male donors are vital for the ongoing provision of blood products. Compared with females, male donors are less likely to be medically deferred or experience vasovagal reactions and are typically preferred for plasmapheresis donation in voluntary non‐remunerated settings. However, females outnumber males among donors aged under 40 years. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence and identify key motivators for blood donation among males to inform targeted recruitment/retention campaigns.

Evaluation of the impact of a personalized postdonation short messaging service on the retention of whole blood donors

Short messaging service (SMS) is routinely used by blood collection agencies to remind donors about appointments but has been applied less frequently in interventions to increase return behavior. This study aimed to investigate whether receipt of a personalized postdonation SMS promoted donor retention.

Evaluation of the impact of a personalised post-donation SMS on the retention of whole blood donors [accepted manuscript]

Short messaging service (SMS) is routinely used by blood collection agencies to remind donors about appointments but has been applied less frequently in interventions to increase return behavior. This study aimed to investigate whether receipt of a personalized postdonation SMS promoted donor retention.

How can we encourage our voluntary non-remunerated donors to donate more frequently?

Retained donors are safer and more cost effective than new donors, and yet increases in demand and natural attrition of the panel are typically countered through increased recruitment. An alternative would be to increase supply by persuading existing donors to donate more often. Many donors are medically eligible to do this; however, little is known about how to increase the frequency of giving.

A systematic review of incentives in blood donation

Incentives are often used to enhance the effectiveness of recruitment and retention campaigns targeting blood donors. However, the degree to which incentives succeed in attracting and facilitating repeat donation is unclear. A systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines, investigated the existing empirical evidence regarding the use of monetary and nonmonetary incentives within blood donation.

Demographic and health profile of older Australian blood donors: results from the Extended Donor Vigilance data linkage study (EDV:Link)

Within Australia, there is a desire to increase blood donation frequency to meet the increasing demand for plasma and certain blood types. However, little is known about any long‐term health consequences for donors. To address this gap, a data linkage study has been conducted, linking routine blood collection data to existing health outcome related data sources to create the Extended Donor Vigilance (EDV:Link) cohort. This paper describes the demographics and health characteristics of this cohort.

Emotions experienced when receiving a temporary deferral: perspectives from staff and donors

Temporary deferrals negatively impact on donor retention. However, little is known about why donors are deterred from returning. One unexplored area is the emotions experienced by donors when deferred. This study investigated these emotions from the perspectives of both the front‐line staff involved in applying deferrals and deferred donors themselves, with the aim of identifying which emotions impact on donors’ intention to return.

The emotional psychology of blood donors: a time-course approach

Donor retention is a key concern for blood collection agencies around the world. Despite a substantial body of research on facilitators of and barriers to donor return, few successful interventions to promote donor return have resulted.