Understanding the role and deployment of volunteers within specialist palliative care services and organisations as they have adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-national EAPC volunteer taskforce survey

Author:

Walshe Catherine1ORCID,Pawłowski Leszek2ORCID,Shedel Sophie3,Vanderstichelen Steven4ORCID,Bloomer Melissa J5ORCID,Goossensen Anne6ORCID,Limonero Joaquín T7ORCID,Stoelen Karen Sangild8,Caraffa Chiara9,Pelttari Leena10,Scott Ros11

Affiliation:

1. International Observatory on End of Life Care, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

2. Department of Palliative Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

3. Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

4. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Gent, Belgium

5. Griffith University School of Nursing and Midwifery & Princess Alexandra Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

6. University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands

7. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Barcelona, Spain

8. University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

9. Italian Federation for Palliative Care, Milan, Italy

10. Hospice Austria, Vienna, Austria

11. University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK

Abstract

Background: Early indications were of a major decline in specialist palliative care volunteer numbers during COVID-19. It is important that ongoing deployment and role of volunteers is understood, given the dependence of many palliative care services on volunteers for quality care provision. Aim: To understand the roles and deployment of volunteers in specialist palliative care services as they have adjusted to the impact of COVID-19. Design: Observational multi-national study, using a cross-sectional online survey with closed and free-text option questions. Disseminated via social media, palliative care networks and key collaborators from May to July 2021. Setting/participants: Any specialist palliative care setting in any country, including hospices, day hospices, hospital based or community teams. The person responsible for managing the deployment of volunteers was invited to complete the survey. Results: Valid responses were received from 304 organisations (35 countries, 80.3% Europe). Most cared for adults only (60.9%), provided in-patient care (62.2%) and were non-profit (62.5%). 47.0% had cared for people with COVID-19. 47.7% changed the way they deployed volunteers; the mean number of active volunteers dropped from 203 per organisation to 33, and 70.7% reported a decrease in volunteers in direct patient/family facing roles. There was a shift to younger volunteers. 50.6% said this drop impacted care provision, increasing staff workload and pressure, decreasing patient support, and increasing patient isolation and loneliness. Conclusion: The sustained reduction in volunteer deployment has impacted the provision of specialist palliative care. Urgent consideration must be given to the future of volunteering including virtual modes of delivery, micro-volunteering, and appealing to a younger demographic.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine,General Medicine

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