title: Rural palliative care volunteer education and support program.
abstract: The present paper looks at the challenges of palliative care delivery in rural and remote areas and proposes the establishment, education and coordination of a network of palliative care volunteers to assist in the delivery of non-clinical services. The development of a rural palliative care volunteer education and support training package is documented, together with details of the trailing of the package and its evaluation. Possible benefits of the program and some key issues to be considered when establishing a volunteer network are raised.
authors.affiliation: Mid-North Coast Health Service (Southern Sector), Taree, New South Wales.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aird
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009517:New South Wales; D010166:Palliative Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011793:Queensland; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012944:Social Support; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014838:Volunteers / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce