Hema-Quebec tries to decompress people
Hema-Quebec is trying to use virtual reality to get new people to donate, but the premise cracks me up: “…all the stages of a donor’s journey: from the welcome to filling in a questionnaire, the appointment with the nurse…”
Nobody’s afraid of filling in a questionnaire. They’re afraid of having a hole poked in their arm, and you can’t simulate that with VR.
Kevin 12:07 on 2023-10-25 Permalink
The hardest part about donating blood is making an appointment and getting to their centres.
Kate 12:18 on 2023-10-25 Permalink
The website lists drives near you, although its interpretation of “near” can be a bit loose.
I’m giving blood this Friday over on Park Avenue. Not too hard to get to. I’ve never been out to the Place Versailles centre, although at my last donation I was all but dogpiled on by volunteers trying to get me to go there and donate plasma or platelets.
Blork 12:27 on 2023-10-25 Permalink
I think Kevin is on the right track really, The biggest hurdle is getting people to commit to the idea and to the bit of time and bother it takes to go through with it.
Even if it’s the easiest thing in the world, people are busy (or they think they are busy) so it’s hard to get them to commit to something that is a “good idea” but there is nothing in it for them but the feels.
CE 14:19 on 2023-10-25 Permalink
I’d be happy to donate if I didn’t pass out every time I’ve ever had blood drawn.
Paul 21:09 on 2023-10-25 Permalink
The worst part about donating is the inefficiency of their process. For those who don’t know:
1) check in and give your ID, answer a series of basic questions
…wait
2) complete their digital questionnaire that asks you the same questions as the front desk
…wait
3) meet with a nurse who takes a brief blood sample and asks you the same questions as the questionnaire
…wait
4) meet with another nurse who scans your donor card, and asks you the same questions as the questionnaire
5) give blood
6) wait 15mn and leave
A process engineer would halve the check-in process, increase their efficiency and reduce their staff
Kate 23:40 on 2023-10-25 Permalink
Might the redundancy be planned, to catch people in inconsistencies?
Orr 15:17 on 2023-10-26 Permalink
If you think donating blood takes a long time, you should try donating a kidney.
Seriously though, more people should consider donating a kidney.
It’s been a very interesting experience.
Kate 16:32 on 2023-10-26 Permalink
I spoke to someone once who’d donated a kidney to his brother. He said the incision took a lot longer to heal up than he’d been told.
I don’t think I could be talked into donating an organ, but I’m happy to give blood. Even plasma takes a few hours and I’m too impatient.
Orr 23:45 on 2023-10-26 Permalink
The time I was referring to was between when I first applied to be a donor and the day of surgery. Many tests occur before you get accepted as a donor.
Anyone can donate a kidney. The procedure is very safe for the donor. If anyone reading this is at all interested, Google “canada blood services kidney donation” & watch their videos. If you know someone who needs a kidney, you do not have to be compatible, there is the kidney paired exchange program which matches incompatible donors and recipients and has recently done its 1000th donor-recipient match.
Orr 23:51 on 2023-10-26 Permalink
just to add, At the time I did it I did not know anyone who needed a kidney, I was a “non-directed anonymous donor.”