ORIGINAL ARTICLE Perceived deterrents to being a plasmapheresis donor in a voluntary, nonremunerated environment Kathleen L. Bagot, Liliana L. Bove, Barbara M. Masser, Timothy C. Bednall, and Mark Buzza BACKGROUND: As demand for plasma-derived prod- ucts increases internationally, maintaining a committed plasmapheresis panel membership is critical for blood collection agencies. This study addresses the current lack of knowledge regarding deterrents to the recruit- ment and retention of plasmapheresis donors in a vol- untary nonremunerated environment. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Nine focus groups (n = 84) and six individual interviews were conducted using semistructured schedules. Three focus groups were conducted with each category of eligible whole blood (WB) donors: those who had 1) declined to convert to plasmapheresis (DTC), 2) converted but lapsed to WB (LWB), and 3) converted and lapsed from the panel completely (LFP). Transcript analysis revealed distinct deterrent categories. RESULTS: The time required for plasmapheresis was a universally identified deterrent, with concerns of dona- tion frequency expectations shared between DTC and LWB. LWB and LFP both reported excessive question- ing and paperwork, and eligibility requirements as deterrents. Unique deterrents for DTC were a lack of accurate knowledge about safety and process. LWB reported concerns about plasmapheresis donation outcomes; however, they were more committed to con- tinuing donation than LFP, who reported donation not being salient, being too busy, and poorer donation experiences. CONCLUSION: Providing information to address safety and health concerns should be the focus for successful conversion to plasmapheresis. Setting donation fre- quency expectations at levels to which donors are accustomed may improve evaluations of the cost/ benefit ratio of conversion and retention. Involvement levels (i.e., importance, personal meaning of donation) may be the key differentiator between those donors who return to WB and those that lapse altogether. T he demand for plasma-derived products— particularly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), for patients with a range of hematologic, neurologic, and immunologic disorders 1 —is growing strongly. 2,3 Within Australia, the average annual growth for IVIg demand from FY 2005/06 to 2009 and 2010 was 12.3% per annum 4 with a 79% increase in IVIg sup- plied per 1000 population during FY 2003/04 to FY 2009/ 10. 5 This increased demand is mirrored in industrialized countries internationally. 6 To meet the demand for plasma-derived products, it is critically important that blood and blood product collection agencies optimize the management of their plasmapheresis donor panels. Apheresis donation is the preferred collection method for plasma, given the higher yield per donation compared to whole blood (WB) donation. 7-9 However, while only a small number (i.e., <5%) of the general public are active WB donors, 10,11 even fewer are active apheresis donors (i.e., donate plasma or platelets). For example, in Australia only 2.41% of the population are active WB donors, and 0.13% are active apheresis donors. 12 Similar ratios are reported by other countries where both WB and ABBREVIATIONS: Blood Service = Australian Red Cross Blood Service; DTC = declined to convert; LFP = lapsed from panel; LWB = lapsed to whole blood; RBC = red blood cells; TTM = Transtheoretical Model; WB = whole blood. From the School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland; the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Melbourne, Victoria; the Department of Management and Mar- keting, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria; and the School of Management, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia. Address reprint requests to: Kathleen L. Bagot, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; e-mail: k.bagot@uq.edu.au. Received for publication July 1, 2012; revision received July 31, 2012, and accepted July 31, 2012. doi: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03891.x TRANSFUSION **;**:**-**. Volume **, ** ** TRANSFUSION 1