ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Screening for healthy blood donors through donor interviews is essential to the safety of donors and blood resources. Our goal was to suggest educational material for donor interviewers and donors, as well as supplemental material for interview sites, which will help provide an effective interview process. METHODS: We conducted surveys regarding experiences in donor interviews from donor interviewers and cognitive interviews about difficulties during interview from blood donors between September and October of 2015. We additionally conducted a post-survey about provided educational and supplemental materials between December 2015 and January 2016. RESULTS: The possibility of an incorrect answer in the donor history questionnaire (DHQ) was high for questions about sexual contact, imprisonment, or medication, and the reasons were incorrect memories, ignorance about donor interview, or protection of privacy. Cognitive interviews of donors revealed questions and terminology that are difficult to understand. Donor interviewers could obtain improved understanding of the DHQ through educational materials, which were found to be useful for new interviewers or donors. Use of a supplemental flip book for the interview process was found to be useful, especially for blood centers with small blood donations. CONCLUSION: This study investigated difficulties in the donor interview from the perspective of donor interviewers and donors and suggested educational and supplemental materials to address these difficulties. These materials will induce correct and honest answers from blood donors through education and guidance about the donor interview process and help secure the safety of blood products.