Medical Student Attitudes Toward Blood Donation in Times of Increased Need

Abstract

Background In situations of increased need, such as mass casualty incidents (MCIs) and COVID-19, donated blood products are in shortage across the United States. Medical students are a potential pool for blood donors. The aim of this study was to determine overall attitudes of medical students at a single academic institution toward blood donation during times of increased need. Methods Three anonymous REDCap surveys were administered to all medical students at a rural academic institution. Surveys 1 and 2 were administered preceding and after an institution-wide MCI drill, in September and November 2019, respectively. Survey 3 was administered following a student-organized COVID-19 blood drive in June 2020. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine if factors, ie, experience with MCI drills and emergency medical services (EMS) training, were associated with willingness to donate blood. Furthermore, barriers to donation among those not willing to donate were assessed. Results Overall response rate for MCI surveys (surveys 1 and 2) was 38% (mean age 25.2 years and 50% women). 91% (n = 210) of respondents were willing to donate blood. Previous participation in MCI drills and EMS training was not associated with higher willingness to donate blood. Response rate for survey 3 was 15.6% (59.4% women), and 30 (31.3%) respondents indicated they did not volunteer to donate blood during the COVID-19 drive. Most common reasons for not donating were “other,” medical concerns, and being out-of-town. Conclusions Majority of medical students are willing to donate blood during times of increased need and offer a possible solution to increase blood donor pool.

Barriers of blood donation practices during the pandemic- KAP study on voluntary blood donation during the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduate students in Karnataka

“…A similar pattern was seen in another study amongst the nonmedical students. 9,14 An increase in education and campaigns is required to promote voluntary blood donation. Safe screening and hygienic practices should be done during blood donation to involve more donors as a major reason for not donating blood is fear of going to hospital or blood banks.…”

The effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic blood shortage on trauma patients

“…Once in the donation centers, social distancing guidelines as well as staff limitations and safety concerns limited the amount of donations that could be collected 22,25,37 . The WHO continued to recommend advertising and awareness campaigns to encourage donation 28 and some systems even looked to medical students to act as donors 38 . This is a creative strategy but does raise concerns about the possibility of coercion in populations on the lower end of a power differential.…”

“…22,25,37 The WHO continued to recommend advertising and awareness campaigns to encourage donation 28 and some systems even looked to medical students to act as donors. 38 This is a creative strategy but does raise concerns about the possibility of coercion in populations on the lower end of a power differential. Interestingly, in some countries an increase in replacement donation (directed donations from family, friends, and others) was seen during COVID-19.…”