Patients and blood donors with hemochromatosis: A survey conducted in Førde Health Trust

Abstract

Introduction: To allow eligible persons with hemochromatosis to become blood donors will be advantageous for these individuals and for the blood supply. In Førde Health Trust, eligible patients with hemochromatosis have been registered as blood donors since 1999. The object of this study was to evaluate the user satisfaction, grouped by persons who were approved as blood donors and persons who remained outpatients. Material and method: This is a study where a questionnaire was sent to all outpatients and blood donors with hemochromatosis in Førde Health Trust. Thirty-one outpatients and 47 blood donors replied, yielding a response rate of 74% in both groups. Results: The user satisfaction was overall good, but there were higher scores in the outpatient group than among the blood donors. The outpatients were especially more satisfied with the medical supervision. Discussion and conclusion: Some of the results were unexpected, as many persons with hemochromatosis aim to become blood donors. It is important to provide sufficient information and to clarify expectations when a patient with hemochromatosis becomes a blood donor.

Keywords

• hemochromatosis
• blood donor
• patient
• satisfaction