[Do We Need more Volunteer Work in Medicine? Project Examples from Trauma Surgery]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Support Services
• Volunteerism in Healthcare

Context:

• German hospitals experience challenges due to nursing shortages, legal mandates, and funding issues, impacting patient care quality.
• Elderly and isolated patients are particularly vulnerable to distress and delirium in hospital settings.
• Existing healthcare systems struggle to provide adequate non-medical support to patients.

Purpose:

• To assess the effectiveness of volunteer patient companions in enhancing patient care and supporting hospital staff.
• To evaluate the impact of three distinct volunteer roles: patient companions, surgical escorts, and transition companions.
• To quantify the perceived success of the volunteer program from both volunteer and patient perspectives.

Summary:

• Volunteer patient companions provided over 12,000 instances of support across 14 hospital wards between July 2017 and April 2023.
• A surgical escort service assisted 120 patients in trauma surgery, leading to its expansion for all elderly patients.
• A pilot project involving 30 transition companions successfully supported patients post-discharge, aiding in home environment organization and continued care coordination.

Impact:

• The volunteer program achieved high satisfaction ratings, with an average success score of 1.3 from volunteers and 1.2 from patients (German grading system, 1=best).
• Volunteer initiatives demonstrably alleviate patient fears and anxieties, contributing to a more positive healthcare experience.
• This model offers a sustainable solution to support vulnerable patients and relieve hospital staff, improving overall hospital efficiency and well-being.