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Volunteers contribute valuable services to hospice patients, but hospices generally don't publicize the use of volunteers to the general community. A recent study shows that educating the public about the services provided by hospice volunteers increases the likelihood that they would select hospice service.

Need for hospice volunteers recognized

Need for hospice volunteers recognized

Volunteers contribute valuable services to hospice patients, but hospices generally don't publicize the use of volunteers to the general community. A recent study shows that educating the public about the services provided by hospice volunteers increases the likelihood that they would select hospice service.1

A community sample of 100 adults in Canada was asked to imagine that they had been recently diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. After reading about the services provided by hospice palliative care volunteers, participants were asked whether they would choose to have a volunteer help them and to give a reason for their answer.

89 of 100 would use volunteer

Eighty-nine of the 100 participants indicated that they would use the help of a volunteer. The most commonly given reasons for using a volunteer included for the general support they provide, help with practical things, and lack of family nearby. Reasons given for declining the services of a volunteer included "I'm a private person,'' and "I don't need any help.''

Sixty-five participants knew that such a volunteer program was available. Of the 35 participants who did not, 31 (89%) expected their family doctor to tell them about it.

Reference

1. Claxton-Oldfield S, Gosselin N, Claxton-Oldfield J. Imagine you are dying: Would you be interested in having a hospice palliative care volunteer? Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2009; 26:47-51.