End-of-life care volunteers: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

This report presents a review of 1988 and onwards research and other literature on end-of-life (EOL) care volunteers. Only 18 research or case studies articles were identified for an integrative review through a search of nine library databases. A review of this literature revealed three themes: (1) the roles of EOL volunteers, (2) volunteer training and other organizational needs or requirements, and (3) outcomes, particularly the impact of volunteering on volunteers and the impact of volunteers on EOL care. Despite limited statistical evidence, the available literature on EOL care volunteers clearly indicates that considerable potential benefit can be derived from EOL care volunteers' contributions, with their efforts benefiting dying persons, their families, paid EOL staff, and the volunteers themselves. More specifically, willing volunteers, particularly those with diverse skills and abilities, have the potential to significantly and positively impact EOL care in that they can perform many necessary and extra functions of value. Volunteers often augment and enhance the range of EOL care services provided to terminally ill individuals and their families. Volunteers should also be recognized as increasing the accessibility of EOL care. The role of the volunteer is not without challenge, however, both for the individuals who volunteer and the organizations that must orient them and provide a meaningful role for them.

Staff and volunteers’ perceptions of the volunteer programme: an alternative use of the Net Benefits Index

“…In respect of benefits, the application of the NBI in these case studies confirms Wilson et al (2005) that volunteers are key resources contributing to the financial stability of nonprofit health organisations. Interestingly, while the ranking of benefits by staff and volunteers in both Organisation 1 and Organisation 2 are roughly similar, staff and volunteers in Organisation 2 rate "cost savings" as more important than "ability to provide other/better services", while staff and volunteers in Organisation 1 ranked the latter first.…”

“…Hager and Brudney's original aims (Hager & Brudney, 2004, 2005. Our application also raises questions as to whether there are more marked differences between staff and volunteers in health delivery charities, rather than health advisory charities.…”

“…Volunteer programme challenges are also evident: some organisations experience difficulty in recruiting sufficient volunteers, those with the right skills and experience, or those who are available when the organisation needs them most, and tensions can arise between volunteers and paid staff (Hager & Brudney, 2004, 2005Netting et al, 2004). Hager and Brudney (2011) suggest that recruitment challenges are related to the nature of the organisation, but also to the extent of 'nurturing' within the organisational culture and volunteer management practices.…”

“…However, in refining and testing the tool, they followed only the second of these (see Hager & Brudney, 2004, 2005. The first objective, to contribute to programme assessment and improvement within organisations, was left as an unexplored possibility.…”

Elderly People Volunteering in Long-Term Care Facilities In Izmir, Turkey

“…At the same time, the voluntary sector, which attracts most volunteers, has long been an important provider of care services in many countries (Knapp, Koutsogeorgopoulou & Smith, 1996). In most economically developed countries, the majority of volunteers offer their services to non-profit or voluntary organisations, mostly undertaking human services work (Wilson et al 2005;Butler & Eckart 2007).…”