title: The 'Donor of the Future Project' - first results and further research domains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Alliance of Blood Operators initiated a project labelled 'Donor of the Future'. This study gives an overview of the project results, in particular with regard to country differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large survey (N = 7663) among blood donors in six countries was conducted to analyse the effects of five global areas of change: (1) demographic change; (2) technological developments; (3) health innovations; (4) public, behavioural and attitudinal aspects; and (5) political, economic and environmental issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main results exhibited similarities and differences between blood donors of the participating countries. Greater differences were found, for example, regarding technological developments. Whereas only blood donors from the UK and Australia would like to be informed via SMS, blood donors from all countries would like to be informed via email.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different priorities of donors have been uncovered. These differences give suggestions to improve the country-specific donor management. Furthermore, the key findings provide a comprehensive overview of major future research domains.
authors.affiliation: University of Hamburg/German Red Cross Blood Service North-East Research Cooperation, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sundermann
authors.affiliation: Sanquin Blood Supply, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: de Kort
authors.affiliation: University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boenigk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003142:Communication; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: blood donors; blood management; future changes; international survey