46 Chapter 2 The novelty of this study is the linkage of experts’ perspectives with literature to provide a broad overview of potential transformational factors that could have a significant impact on the blood supply as we know it today. While not exhaustive, it does provide a set of key factors to monitor closely. However, this study is limited in the incorporation of only experts from high-income countries and limited in the amount of literature reviewed as well. Nonetheless, this methodology can be replicated easily by other blood banks worldwide and tailored to be context specific. For example, it could also be done in low- to middle-income countries where the most prominent, continuing trend is the vast undersupply of blood products, which fall severely short for indications such as anemia due to sickle cell disease or malaria, or PPH.60 (In low- to middle-income countries, blood transfusions are most commonly used to treat severe childhood anemia and pregnancy-related complications, contrasted to supportive care in cardiovascular surgery, trauma, or hematologic adversities in high-income countries).61 For sickle cell anemia alone, the demand is and will continue increasing, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and India.62 Therefore, a research method like ours can be useful for a variety of settings and research topics to contextually compare and contrast expert opinions to literature, explore perceptions, assess awareness, and supplement quantitative data. For the Netherlands, this study will contribute to a scenario development initiative to predict the future demand of the blood supply and the organizational implications for Sanquin. 2.5 CONCLUSION As RBC blood demand has changed in the past and will change in the future, it is worthwhile for blood banks to study the drivers of past trends, closely monitor developments of important transformational factors identified, and carefully develop strategies to be optimally prepared for the (un)expected future. “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Theresa
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