The impact on emotional well-being of being a palliative care volunteer: An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

BACKGROUND: Much palliative care provision relies on the support of volunteers. Attention is paid to the risks to professionals providing care, such as stress and burnout, but understanding if this is an issue for volunteers is little understood. It is important to understand the impact their role has on volunteers emotional well-being. AIM: To explore the experiences of palliative care volunteers and how the role impacted on their emotional well-being. DESIGN: Interpretative phenomenological analysis, with data collected through semi-structured interviews. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers in patient-facing roles within palliative and end-of-life care services in the UK. RESULTS: Volunteers (n = 10) across three palliative and end-of-life care services. Four themes were developed: (1) it can be challenging; (2) it's where I'm meant to be; (3) managing death; (4) the importance of connection. Challenges included frustrations and questioning themselves. Although difficult at times, volunteers expressed the importance of the role, doing well and that they benefitted too. They also had to manage death and discussed beliefs about life and death, acceptance and managing patients' fears. Connection with the hospice, patients, staff and other volunteers was important, with a need for everyone to feel valued. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are psychosocial benefits for volunteers in their role, it is important to understand the challenges faced and consider ongoing support to help volunteers manage these challenges. This could be addressed through the consideration of coping mechanisms, further training and reflective practice for volunteers.

What are the Emotional Experiences of Being a Volunteer in Palliative and End-of-Life Care Settings? A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis.

CONTEXT: Previous research has focused on the risks of stress, burnout and the impact on general emotional well-being in paid palliative care staff, however volunteers in patient-facing roles are exposed to similar stressors. Volunteers increasingly provide emotional support to patients and families but receive little formal support for themselves. It is important to understand volunteers' emotional experiences of their role to identify strategies that could be implemented to support them effectively. OBJECTIVES: To synthesize qualitative data on the emotional experiences of being a volunteer in palliative and end-of-life care settings, including how people cope with this role and how they can be best supported. METHODS: A systematic review with thematic synthesis design, with an iterative three-stage synthesis, including line-by-line coding, organizing this into descriptive themes and then developing analytical themes. Four databases (PsycInfo, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) were searched in November 2019. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to evaluate included papers. RESULTS: From the 22 included studies, four themes were developed: 1) intrinsic challenges (e.g., conflicting feelings); 2) extrinsic challenges (e.g., resources and expectations); 3) personal gain (e.g., learning and self-growth); and 4) developing relationships (e.g., appropriate boundaries). Challenges included personal feelings related to their role for example uncertainty, not being 'good enough' and feeling drained as well as frustrations within the palliative care system. CONCLUSION: Volunteers face unique challenges but also positive impacts that can affect their emotional well-being. It is important to monitor how volunteers are coping and provide appropriate support.