Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 62, (3), 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - What are the emotional experiences of being a volunteer in palliative and end-of-life care settings?
T2 - a systematic review and thematic synthesis
AU - Coleman, Helena
AU - Walshe, Catherine
N1 - This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 62, (3), 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025
PY - 2021/9/30
Y1 - 2021/9/30
N2 - ContextPrevious 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.ObjectivesTo 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsFrom 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.ConclusionVolunteers 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.
AB - ContextPrevious 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.ObjectivesTo 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsFrom 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.ConclusionVolunteers 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.
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Hospices
KW - Terminal care
KW - Palliative care
KW - Volunteers
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025
DO - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025
M3 - Journal article
VL - 62
SP - 232
EP - 247
JO - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
JF - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
SN - 0885-3924
IS - 3
ER -