It is not a big deal: a qualitative study of clinical biobank donation experience and motives

Assessing Decisional Regret Among Biobank Sample Donors

Background: Large biobanks that link biological specimens with specimen donors' health histories are a critical tool for precision medicine, and many health care institutions have invested significant resources in setting up and building up large collections for this purpose. As biobanks require consented participation from thousands of individual donors, much research has focused on the values and preferences of new and prospective donors who are actively contemplating an invitation to participate in the collection. Few studies, however, have focused on participants' opinions about their biobank participation in the months and years following enrollment. Methods: We conducted a survey in a large, established biobank and evaluated participants' levels of decisional regret regarding their decision to enroll in the biobank. Results: We found very low levels of decisional regret among established biobank participants. Multivariable regression analysis found that age, length of time in the biobank, lower educational attainment, inadequate health literacy, and previous invitations to research participation were all significant predictors of elevated regret. Discussion: Among those with elevated regret, several demographic factors may point to elevated likelihood of decisional regret. More research is needed to identify factors associated with long-term satisfaction with biobank participation and with elevated risk of regret and/or withdrawal from the collection.

Support for Research Biobanks Among Medical Students in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Background: Over the past few years, several biobanks have been organized in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RoK). As research biobanks are becoming an increasingly important tool for precision medicine, they require competent biobankers who will help disseminate the idea of biobanking throughout the society and support donation for research purposes. This study aimed to assess the support for research biobanks among medical students (MSs) in Kazakhstan. Methods: This research includes data from an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire regarding MSs' support for research biobanks in the RoK. Results: Only 212 (31.3%) MSs have heard of biobanks and 466 (68.7%) have not. Students who were biobank-aware held more positive views regarding biobanks, were more likely to support the idea of establishing a research biobank in Kazakhstan, and expressed a greater willingness to donate their biological material for research purposes. Students' awareness of biobanks was also associated with the respondents' motivations to donate. Students who were familiar with biobanks tended to be motivated by altruistic reasons more often, and those unfamiliar with biobanks tended to indicate selfish motives. Students' attitudes toward donation to various types of research and biobanks were influenced by their awareness of biobanks, any family history of genetic disease, experience of chronic disease, declared religiousness, hospitalization history, blood donor status, and year of study. Conclusion: Since MSs' awareness of research biobanks is low, there is an urgent need for biobank education in Kazakhstan.

Establishing a Pregnancy Lyme Disease Biobank

Availability of relevant biological samples supports both basic science research and patient-centered clinical studies. Establishing a biorepository faces challenges at multiple levels. These tasks include defining mission definition and scope; selection of subjects and sample types; recruitment strategies; timing of collection in the patient's journey; sample logistics and processing; determining what clinical data to collect; ensuring sample integrity on transport, processing, and storage; defining governance structures and oversight responsibilities; clarifying sample provenance and ownership; establishing procedures for sample and data access; selecting testing to be performed routinely versus upon request, and management of results; data security; funding sources; and regulatory compliance. Establishing and maintaining a biorepository therefore requires careful planning, diligent and sustained execution, technical and financial resources, stakeholder support, and flexible and resilient management to respond to changing environments and needs.

Biobanking and consenting to research: a qualitative thematic analysis of young people's perspectives in the North East of England

BACKGROUND

Biobanking biospecimens and consent are common practice in paediatric research. We need to explore children and young people's (CYP) knowledge and perspectives around the use of and consent to biobanking. This will ensure meaningful informed consent can be obtained and improve current consent procedures.

METHODS

We designed a survey, in co-production with CYP, collecting demographic data, views on biobanking, and consent using three scenarios: 1) prospective consent, 2) deferred consent, and 3) reconsent and assent at age of capacity. The survey was disseminated via the Young Person's Advisory Group North England (YPAGne) and participating CYP's secondary schools. Data were analysed using a qualitative thematic approach by three independent reviewers (including CYP) to identify common themes. Data triangulation occurred independently by a fourth reviewer.

RESULTS

One hundred two CYP completed the survey. Most were between 16-18 years (63.7%, N = 65) and female (66.7%, N = 68). 72.3% had no prior knowledge of biobanking (N = 73). Acceptability of prospective consent for biobanking was high (91.2%, N = 93) with common themes: 'altruism', 'potential benefits outweigh individual risk', 'frugality', and '(in)convenience'. Deferred consent was also deemed acceptable in the large majority (84.3%, N = 86), with common themes: 'altruism', 'body integrity' and 'sample frugality'. 76.5% preferred to reconsent when cognitively mature enough to give assent (N = 78), even if parental consent was previously in place. 79.2% wanted to be informed if their biobanked biospecimen is reused (N = 80).

CONCLUSION

Prospective and deferred consent acceptability for biobanking is high among CYP in the UK. Altruism, frugality, body integrity, and privacy are the most important themes. Clear communication and justification are paramount to obtain consent. Any CYP with capacity should be part of the consenting procedure, if possible.