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Being a hospice volunteer.
Birgit Andersson1, Joakim Ohlén
1Institute of Nursing, Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Palliative Medicine
|February 3, 2006
Summary
Hospice volunteers in Sweden seek affirmation and belonging, finding personal growth through their roles. Hospices must support volunteers, especially with existential challenges, to ensure their needs for meaning and connection are met.
Area of Science:
- Palliative Care
- Volunteerism
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Sweden lacks a tradition of hospice or palliative volunteer care.
- Understanding the volunteer experience is crucial for developing support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the meaning of being a hospice volunteer in a novel context.
- To identify key themes and challenges faced by hospice volunteers.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation of interviews.
- Qualitative study involving ten hospice volunteers from three Swedish hospices.
Main Results:
- Volunteers' motives, hospice encounters, and patient interactions were analyzed.
- Key themes include the need for affirmation, fellowship, and personal growth.
- Volunteers experience rejection when their needs for meaning and belonging are unmet.
Conclusions:
- Hospice volunteer experiences are deeply tied to personal growth and existential needs.
- Hospices require structured support for volunteers, addressing affirmation and existential concerns.
- Developing clear goals for volunteer support is essential for a positive and meaningful volunteer experience.