Hughes Shana D, Custer Brian, Laborde Nicole, Sheon Nicolas
Division of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, California.
Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California.
Transfusion. 2018 Aug;58(8):1909-1915. doi: 10.1111/trf.14632. Epub 2018 Apr 17.
Front-line staff at blood collection organizations (BCOs) play important roles in keeping the blood supply safe, yet research on their professional practice and perspectives on training needs is sparse. This qualitative study explored these topics with regard to the then-impending change in donor eligibility for men reporting sex with another man (MSM).
Semistructured, individual interviews with BCO staff (n = 13) in Northern California covered experiences of and opinions on indefinite deferral, the revised 1-year deferral, and anticipated potential challenges arising from the new policy. Transcripts were thematically coded, using deductive and inductive approaches. Analysis identified recurrent and divergent themes.
Interviewees reported strong values of professionalism and respect for donors and supported the change to a 1-year deferral for MSM donors. Nonetheless, nearly all voiced the need for more in-depth training to maximize the likelihood of successful implementation. Specific recommendations included the use of role-play, provision of science-based talking points or FAQs, and empathy for donors and staff.
More than the usual training may be required to help BCO staff feel prepared to educate the public about changes to MSM-related deferrals and communicate effectively with donors about potentially deferrable behavior. Overall, these findings suggest that before future policy changes, BCO staff's opinions about and role in implementing new donor eligibility screening procedures merit consideration.
采血机构的一线工作人员在确保血液供应安全方面发挥着重要作用，但关于他们的专业实践以及培训需求的观点的研究却很少。这项定性研究探讨了当时男男性行为者（MSM）献血资格即将发生的变化的相关话题。
对北加利福尼亚州采血机构的工作人员（n = 13）进行了半结构化的个人访谈，内容涵盖对无限期延期、修订后的1年延期的经历和看法，以及新政策可能带来的潜在挑战。使用演绎和归纳方法对访谈记录进行主题编码。分析确定了反复出现和不同的主题。
受访者表示出强烈的专业精神价值观和对献血者的尊重，并支持对男男性行为者献血者改为1年延期的做法。尽管如此，几乎所有人都表示需要更深入的培训，以最大程度提高成功实施的可能性。具体建议包括使用角色扮演、提供基于科学的谈话要点或常见问题解答，以及对献血者和工作人员的同理心。
可能需要比通常更多的培训，以帮助采血机构工作人员做好准备，向公众宣传与男男性行为者相关的延期政策变化，并就可能导致延期的行为与献血者进行有效沟通。总体而言，这些发现表明，在未来政策变化之前，采血机构工作人员对实施新的献血者资格筛查程序的看法和作用值得考虑。
