The effectiveness of telephone surveys on the return of first-time donors: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The management of blood supply depends, among other factors, on the effective remobilization of first-time donors (FTDs). This study investigates the efficacy of telephone calls to increase second donation rates. Study Design and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 418 first-time blood donors. In the telephone group (TG, n = 206), men were contacted 9-10 and women 13-14 weeks after their first donation. They were asked about satisfaction and intention to return, and offered an appointment. The primary outcome was the return rate within 6 months after the first donation. Results: The mean age was 28.8 +/- 10.0 years and 59.9% of FTDs were female. In the TG, 89.3% were reached. Approximately 50% of each group had donated a second time by 24.2 weeks for the control group (CG) and 14.8 weeks for the TG. The six-month return rate was 65.0% in the TG and 54.3% in the CG (95%-CI [0.9%; 20.6%]; p = .033). The restricted mean time to return within 6 months was 19.4 weeks in the CG compared to 17.2 weeks in the TG (95%-CI [0.7; 3.7]; p = .004). The intervention effect tended to be larger in men than in women. Discussion: Contacting FTDs by phone after their first donation increases the six-month return rate and reduces the interval to a second donation. Male donors appear to be more receptive to this intervention. Whether the effect of the intervention helps to establish a donor identity in the long term should be the subject of further studies.