Volunteers trained in palliative care at the hospital: an original and dynamic resource.
OBJECTIVE
Volunteers trained in palliative care are increasingly present in acute care units in general hospitals. Nevertheless, there still are few available data on this topic, especially concerning the integration of volunteers outside the palliative structures. Our present study aimed to describe the experience of volunteers trained in palliative care in the context of a primary care hospital. In particular, the difficulties and the benefits of this specific position were evaluated according to volunteers' own perceptions and words.


METHODS
We employed a qualitative method. Various aspects of the volunteer's role were explored by means of semistructured questions, addressing their activity, their motivations, and their feelings. Participants were volunteers (n = 19) trained in palliative care and working at a university hospital. After giving written consent, they completed the semistructured questionnaire at home. Content analysis was used to identify the main categories of answers and the principal themes reported by the volunteers.


RESULTS
The main difficulties were related to uncertainty of the context. As every situation is different, volunteers could not define their role once and for all. However, they derived great satisfaction from their activity. A supporting frame and a good balance between constraints and autonomy were facilitating factors. Besides, the complexity related to the context contributed to make the position valuable and challenging.


CONCLUSIONS
Integrating a voluntary service in a primary care hospital is partly based on active participation of the volunteers in developing their position in a more adequate way. In return, this relative autonomy implies a rigorous and supportive attitude from the institution.
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology,Consultation for Pain and Palliative Care Center,University Hospitals of Geneva Faculty of Medicine,Geneva,Switzerland.
Sylvette
S
Delaloye
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology,Consultation for Pain and Palliative Care Center,University Hospitals of Geneva Faculty of Medicine,Geneva,Switzerland.
Monica
M
Escher
Division of General Medical Rehabilitation,University Hospitals of Geneva Faculty of Medicine,Geneva,Switzerland.
Christophe
C
Luthy
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology,Consultation for Pain and Palliative Care Center,University Hospitals of Geneva Faculty of Medicine,Geneva,Switzerland.
Valérie
V
Piguet
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology,Consultation for Pain and Palliative Care Center,University Hospitals of Geneva Faculty of Medicine,Geneva,Switzerland.
Pierre
P
Dayer
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology,Consultation for Pain and Palliative Care Center,University Hospitals of Geneva Faculty of Medicine,Geneva,Switzerland.
Christine
C
Cedraschi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014838:Volunteers; D000078329:Workforce
General hospitals; Palliative and supportive care; Palliative care volunteers; Role identification; Volunteer satisfaction