NEW MARKETING TOOLS IN THE BLOOD SERVICE TO OPTIMIZE QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The aim: To identify the main fears of donation among young people in the city and ways to eliminate these phobias with the help of modern marketing tools. Materials and methods: It was conducted the questionnaire among Sumy State University students on donation fears. The questionnaire included questions about experience of donation, reason for non donation and age. After that a focus group among students who feared donation was organized. Participants were shown a 360 degree video recorded in the blood center and discussed how to donate blood after watching the video. Results: The main phobias were fear of becoming infected during the procedure (37.7%), fear of the procedure itself due to ignorance and misunderstanding of what to expect (14.0%), and fear of the needle, blood, and the discomfort possibility during the procedure (10.0%); 26.7% indicated that they could not be donors due to poor health, and 11.6% due to personal laziness. It was developed a 360o video, which demonstrates the blood donation process, showing the next steps with the selected blood in facilities. Its continues for 20 minutes. This video was shown in the focus group for ten non-donors with some donation fear. 60% of them reported a change from blood to a positive, which may indicate this tool’s effectiveness. Conclusions: Due a 360o video some non-donor people can ensure safety, sterility of the process, reduce the fear of donation and further increase the likelihood of becoming regular donors.