Vera Raivola1, Karoliina Snell2, Satu Pastila1, Ilpo Helén3, Jukka Partanen1. 1. Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 2. Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of blood donors are recruited to participate in biomedical research. As blood services depend on voluntary donors, successful recruitment calls for a better understanding of donors' expectations and attitudes toward the use of samples in research. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty-one semistructured interviews were conducted with blood donors at eight Finnish Red Cross Blood Service donation sites in Finland. The 10- to 30-minute interviews included open-ended questions about donors' views on blood donation for patients and for biomedical research. Central motives to donate blood for patients were identified against which views on research use were compared to see how these reflections differed. RESULTS: Six central motives for donating blood for patients were identified among donors. The interviewees were, in general, willing to donate blood for research, but considered research donation more likely if it could be easily integrated into their usual blood donation habits. Biomedical research was perceived as important but its social benefits were more abstract than a direct help to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity and reciprocity were key to the relationship between the blood service and blood donors. Donation for research introduces a new, more complex context to blood donation. Challenge to recognize concrete outcomes and benefits of donation may affect willingness to donate for research. Transparent communication of the role of the blood service in research and of the beneficiaries of the research is essential in maintaining trust. These results will help blood services in their planning to recruit blood donors for research projects.
BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of blood donors are recruited to participate in biomedical research. As blood services depend on voluntary donors, successful recruitment calls for a better understanding of donors' expectations and attitudes toward the use of samples in research. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty-one semistructured interviews were conducted with blood donors at eight Finnish Red Cross Blood Service donation sites in Finland. The 10- to 30-minute interviews included open-ended questions about donors' views on blood donation for patients and for biomedical research. Central motives to donate blood for patients were identified against which views on research use were compared to see how these reflections differed. RESULTS: Six central motives for donating blood for patients were identified among donors. The interviewees were, in general, willing to donate blood for research, but considered research donation more likely if it could be easily integrated into their usual blood donation habits. Biomedical research was perceived as important but its social benefits were more abstract than a direct help to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Familiarity and reciprocity were key to the relationship between the blood service and blood donors. Donation for research introduces a new, more complex context to blood donation. Challenge to recognize concrete outcomes and benefits of donation may affect willingness to donate for research. Transparent communication of the role of the blood service in research and of the beneficiaries of the research is essential in maintaining trust. These results will help blood services in their planning to recruit blood donors for research projects.
Authors: Jonna Clancy; Kati Hyvärinen; Jarmo Ritari; Tiina Wahlfors; Jukka Partanen; Satu Koskela Journal: Stem Cell Res Ther Date: 2022-10-09 Impact factor: 8.079
Authors: Muriel Lobier; Pia Niittymäki; Nina Nikiforow; Elina Palokangas; Antti Larjo; Pirkko Mattila; Johanna Castrén; Jukka Partanen; Mikko Arvas Journal: Vox Sang Date: 2019-10-28 Impact factor: 2.144