Volunteers trained in palliative care at the hospital: An original and dynamic resource

Article Article scientifique Article Volunteers trained in palliative care at the hospital: An original and dynamic resource eng 2015 author Delaloye Sylvette Marie B. 94192 author Escher Monica 33075 author Luthy Christophe 34932 author Piguet Valérie 64458 author Dayer Pierre 25460 author Cedraschi Christine 22343 601-607 10.1017/S1478951514000169 24762324 1478-9515 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. Method: 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. Significance of results: 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. Dewey 617 Dewey 618.97 63 Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences 229 65 Département de réadaptation et gériatrie 22B false 302 Groupe Desmeules Jules (pharmacologie/toxicologie) 567 55 Groupe Pierre Dayer (pharmacologie/toxicologie) 78 Palliative & supportive care 13 03 8d988870-2aee-4ed3-b53f-785a2d5bcb65 Article (Published version) Restricted S1478951514000169a.pdf 94598 application/pdf restrictedAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département d'anesthésiologie, pharmacologie, soins intensifs et urgences Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de réadaptation et gériatrie

Title	Published in	Access level	OA Policy	Year	Views	Downloads

Volunteers trained in palliative care at the hospital: An original and dynamic resource	Palliative & supportive care			2015	868	0

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Delaloye, Sylvette Marie B.