Evaluating donor perceptions of Post-Donation Testing (PDT) strategies relative to current policy in England

This project investigates public and donor perceptions of Post-Donation Testing (PDT), a potential change to the Haemoglobin (Hb) screening policy for blood donation in England. Temporary deferrals due to low Hb are a significant operational challenge for NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). While PDT offers a way to improve efficiency, it's crucial to understand donor comprehension and acceptance of the associated trade-offs before implementation. Research Aims 1.Assess donor and non-donor understanding and acceptability of the proposed PDT policy. 2. Identify the key factors (e.g., safety, efficiency, convenience) that influence opinions on the policy change. 3. Determine the relative importance of these factors in donor decision-making. Methodology The project consists of two interconnected work packages (WP): 1. Work Package 1 (WP1): An exploratory survey to gauge knowledge, acceptability, and key concerns among the general population (via Prolific) and registered NHSBT donors. 2. Work Package 2 (WP2): A discrete choice experiment, informed by the findings from WP1, designed to quantify how donors weigh different aspects of the policy. The findings will provide evidence to help NHSBT develop an effective and donor-centric implementation and communication strategy for this potential policy change.