Medical Students' Knowledge, Familiarity, and Attitudes towards Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for patients with blood disorders and genetic diseases. Approximately 70% of the HSCTs currently performed in the United States use stems cells from an unrelated donor who donated voluntarily. Medical students (MS) are a young, diverse, influential population whose willingness to engage in altruistic acts, such as donating stem cells, may be correlated with knowledge on the topic. A literature gap exists in MS perspectives towards HSCT and the bone marrow registry (BMR) and prior studies suggest that misconceptions about donation deter MS from participation on the BMR, which may decrease opportunities to educate other potential donors. We performed a cross-sectional survey among the 4-year cohort of MS at Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota. The questionnaire evaluated multiple areas including whether MS were current members of the BMR and/or prior blood donors, MS current knowledge on donor eligibility (DE) and the donation process (DP), MS familiarity with HSCT and the DP, and MS attitudes towards joining the BMR and towards donating stem cells. The responses were analyzed and assessed alongside a self-reported, standardized scale measuring students' altruistic behaviors. There were 99 out of 247 potential respondents (40%), with 45% (n = 44) of MS in preclinical years 1 or 2, 37% (n = 37) in clinical years 3 or 4, and 18% (n = 18) in research or alternative portions of their training, of which 43% (n = 41) in total were current BMR members. BMR status correlated positively with prior blood donation (P = .015) and female sex (P = .014). Respondents had a 57.7% and 63.7% average correct response rate regarding knowledge of DE and DP, respectively, with knowledge of DE not surprisingly higher in BMR members (P < .0001). The majority of MS surveyed, 68% (n = 65), had learned about HSCT during medical school. BMR status correlated with the following attitudes towards donating stem cells: lower concern with all evaluated aspects of HSCT-time, cost, pain, and side effects (for all subsections, P < .05) but not with the altruism score (P = .32). The mean altruism score for respondents was 59.9 ± 11.3 (of a possible 100 points) with no significant difference in age, race, sex, level of training, or participation in the BMR. Altruism scores did not directly correlate with lower concern with aspects of time, cost, and pain of HSCT but did with long-term side effects (P = .021). This latter correlation was regardless of BMR status. Among MS, positive predictors for participation in the BMR included prior blood donation and female sex. BMR status did not ensure knowledge of all aspects of donating stem cells, but it correlated with less concern regarding the DP and was unrelated to altruism score. Improving knowledge gaps regarding the BMR and HSCT for the next generation of physicians and health care providers through expanded medical education curriculum may be beneficial to for the recruitment and retention of donor populations to...

Prior blood donations do not affect efficacy of G‐CSF mobilization nor outcomes of haematopoietic stem cell collection in healthy donors

“…Blood donors are more likely to register as potential HPC donors than people without history of blood donation [11,12]. In our study, blood donors constituted 36.6% of PBSC donors.…”

“…There are many donor-dependent factors influencing the outcome of the procedure, such as gender, age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), smoking, iron status, pre-G-CSF platelet count, Correspondence: Krzysztof Bartnik, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, Warsaw 02-097, Poland E-mail: krzysztof46bartnik@gmail.com pre-G-CSF mononuclear count, pre-G-CSF white blood cell (WBC) count or weight difference between the donor and the recipient [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Studies show that people with a history of blood donation are more likely to register as potential haematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) donors, yet to our best knowledge, there is a lack of data in the literature regarding the impact of prior blood donation on the outcome of HPC mobilization outcomes [11,12].…”

Physical and Psychological Discomfort Experienced by Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Donors

“…This is also evident in a previous study [7], which cited difficulties experienced by donors, including receiving inadequate information and delays in the process due to the lack of understanding of medical staff. Because healthcare providers are a source of health information and advice, it is necessary to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding HSCD [24]. Therefore, healthcare providers should have appropriate knowledge of and supportive attitudes towards HSCD.…”

“…Therefore, healthcare providers should have appropriate knowledge of and supportive attitudes towards HSCD. The need to include HSCD education in school curricula has been argued for [24]; this could generate more interest in HSC donor registration [25]. In other words, through active education, healthcare providers should be the main agents with sufficient knowledge and positive views of HSCD to help provide respect and support for donors [7].…”

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Bioethical Lens

“…Providing accurate information and knowledge about stem cell donation remains a priority in increasing the number of donations. Recent studies have demonstrated that also educational and communicative efforts towards the medical community may be beneficial in the recruitment and retention of donor populations [61, 62]. The creation of a social and cultural atmosphere favouring the diffusion of correct and proper information regarding HSC donation is central in encouraging people to make a donation.…”