Personal and family-related factors on willingness to volunteer among undergraduate medical students during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe personal and family-related factors affecting undergraduate students' willingness to volunteer during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate medical students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia through an online survey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A pre-validated online questionnaire on willingness to volunteer during the pandemic was distributed through various messenger groups and social media. The questionnaire comprised two sections to collect demographics and how likely the volunteers work during the pandemic in different circumstances. The distribution of these parameters was reported by frequency and proportion for categorical variables. In addition to descriptive analytics, a chi-square test was used to compare key explanatory parameters between the low and high likelihood of volunteering. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS statistical software (version 25, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: There was a high likelihood of willingness (60.7%) to volunteer among undergraduate medical students. However, there was no statistically significant difference in baseline parameters like gender, academic year, age (in years), marital status, children, and elderly dependents between the high and low likelihood of volunteer (p >0.05). However, a statistically significant difference indicated the best description of one's living arrangement between volunteers' high and low probability (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that undergraduate medical students can be motivated to volunteer effectively in this pandemic by ensuring personal and family protection. This is vital to optimally redistribute the work burden and effectively channelize the workforce during a pandemic situation.

"They take a lot of pressure off us": Volunteers reducing staff and family care burden and contributing to quality of care for older patients with cognitive impairment in rural hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: 1Explore the ability of trained volunteers to provide person-centred care focusing on nutrition/hydration support, hearing/visual aids and activities in rural hospitals for older patients with dementia and/or delirium. 2Explore the impacts and challenges of volunteer care for family carers and hospital staff. METHODS: Staff were surveyed about their confidence, stress and satisfaction at 6 months post-implementation. Focus groups with staff and interviews with families explored program successes, challenges and enabling factors. RESULTS: Volunteers integrated themselves into the care team, providing person-centred care, increased safety and quality of care for patients and a reduced burden for staff and families. Key enablers were clear processes for screening, training and supporting volunteers. Key challenges included initial role delineation, staff/volunteer trust and sustainability. CONCLUSION: The program is reported by families and staff as being effective in addressing the main barriers to providing person-centred care for older adults with cognitive impairment in rural acute hospitals.

A Community Hospital NICU Developmental Care Partner Program: Feasibility and Association With Decreased Nurse Burnout Without Increased Infant Infection Rates.

BACKGROUND: Volunteers can provide staff-directed sensory inputs to infants hospitalized in the NICU, but research on volunteer programs is limited. PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of a developmental care partner (DCP) program in a level III NICU and determine its relationship with provider burnout and infant infection rates. METHODS: DCPs were trained to provide sensory input to infants, based on the behavioral cues observed by the occupational therapists and nursing staff, in medically stable infants. Feasibility was assessed by documenting the process of training and utilizing volunteers, as well as tracking duration and frequency of DCP visits. Staff burnout measures were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) before and after implementation. Infant infection rates before and after the introduction of volunteers were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-two volunteers were interested, and 25 (35%) completed the DCP competencies and provided sensory exposures to 54 neonates, who were visited an average of 8 times (range 1-15). Twelve (48%) DCPs did once-per-week visits, and 9 (36%) did at least 50 contact hours. MBI-HSS scores for staff emotional exhaustion (P < .001) and depersonalization (P < .006) were lower after DCP implementation. There were no differences in infant infection rates before and after DCP implementation (Fisher exact P = 1.000). IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Volunteer-based DCP programs may be feasible to implement in community hospitals and could help reduce staff emotional exhaustion and depersonalization without increasing the incidence of infant infections. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research on NICU volunteer programs with larger sample sizes and different infant populations is warranted.

Oncology Volunteers: The Effect of a Personal Cancer History on Compassion and Psychological Well-Being.

BACKGROUND: The impact of support work on volunteers with a personal history of cancer has rarely been examined, despite the possibility that supporting distressed individuals may become a psychological burden for someone who has faced a life-threatening disease themselves. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare compassion, self-compassion, self-coldness, and psychological well-being of oncology volunteers to the general population and clinical samples. METHODS: Volunteers completed questionnaires on demographic and volunteer work-related characteristics, the Compassion Toward Others Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Psychological General Well-Being Index. FINDINGS: Overall, volunteers indicated higher levels of self-compassion and psychological well-being and lower levels of self-coldness than clinical and community samples. Peer volunteers were less satisfied with their volunteer work and reported worse general health and psychological well-being than volunteers without a cancer history.

Desempeño del rol de voluntario en el proceso de recuperación de personas con trastorno mental grave. experiencia del centro de día de Aravaca / No disponible

Actualmente, la evolución de la atención a las personas con trastorno mental grave está avanzando hacia un modelo social. Esta evolución está amparada por las leyes y normativas vigentes así como numerosos estudios que avalan una práctica centrada en la persona, en sus capacidades y en el modelo de recuperación. En el presente trabajo se ejemplifica un modelo de trabajo, donde el desempeño del rol de voluntario, con sus diferentes niveles y apoyos, hace posible que las personas con TMG puedan elegir un proyecto de vida consecuente con sus valores y con su derecho a participar socialmente como ciudadanos de pleno derecho

Currently, the evolution of care for people with mental disorder has being developed from a social model. This evolution is guide by laws and regulations in force. In addition, numerous studies support a practice focused on the person, their capabilities and the recovery model. The present article exemplifies a work model where the performance of the volunteer role, with its different levels and supports, makes it possible for people with mental disorder can choose their life projects. These life projects are consistent with their values and their right to participate socially as full citizens

Accounting for musical perception through equivalence relations and abstraction: an experimental approach

The present study aimed to establish equivalence classes between musical chords, the corresponding chord grids, and the labels for each chord type (major, minor and 7th). Seven adults participated in a computerized matching-to-sample procedure. During training sessions, participants learned relations between chords of the same root note and either their corresponding chord grids or the words labeling their type. Equivalence relations between grids and words were then verified, and a generalization test assessed abstraction of the chord type with previously untrained chords. Phase 1 used chords having C as the root note. Phases 2 and 3 were programmed similarly, using chords having E and G as their root notes. Most participants had positive results on equivalence tests. Across the experimental phases, the percentage of correct choices in the generalization tests increased gradually for four out of seven participants. A behavioral account of musical perception through the concept of abstraction is discussed (AU)

No disponible

A qualitative formative evaluation of a patient-centred patient safety intervention delivered in collaboration with hospital volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that patients can meaningfully feed back to healthcare providers about the safety of their care. The PRASE (Patient Reporting and Action for a Safe Environment) intervention provides a way to systematically collect feedback from patients to support service improvement. The intervention is being implemented in acute care settings with patient feedback collected by hospital volunteers for the first time. OBJECTIVE: To undertake a formative evaluation which explores the feasibility and acceptability of the PRASE intervention delivered in collaboration with hospital volunteers from the perspectives of key stakeholders. DESIGN: A qualitative evaluation design was adopted across two acute NHS trusts in the UK between July 2014 and November 2015. We conducted five focus groups with hospital volunteers (n=15), voluntary services and patient experience staff (n=3) and semi-structured interviews with ward staff (n=5). Data were interpreted using framework analysis. RESULTS: All stakeholders were positive about the PRASE intervention as a way to support service improvement, and the benefits of involving volunteers. Volunteers felt adequate training and support would be essential for retention. Staff concentrated on the infrastructure needed for implementation and raised concerns around sustainability. Findings were fed back to the implementation team to support revisions to the intervention moving into the subsequent summative evaluation phase. CONCLUSION: Although there are concerns regarding sustainability in practice, the PRASE intervention delivered in collaboration with hospital volunteers is a promising approach to collect patient feedback for service improvement.

Perfil, motivación, satisfacción y compromiso de un voluntariado de acompañamiento en duelo. Propiedades psicométricas de los cuestionarios Organizational Commitment Questionnarie y Job Diagnostic Survey / Profile, motivation, satisfaction and commitment of the bereavement volunteer. Psychometric properties of the Organizational Commitment and Job Diagnostic Questionnaire

En este artículo se analiza si las propias experiencias marcan la motivación de elección, satisfacción y compromiso con un voluntariado centrado en acompañamiento a personas en duelo. Para ello se realiza un análisis psicométrico de los cuestionarios utilizados. Contestaron al cuestionario 79 voluntarios (tasa de respuesta: 64%), de los 123 inscritos en la base de datos del Centro. El 69,6% (55) mujeres y el 30,4% (24) hombres, edad media: 48 años (dt 12,95). Más del 72% (56) cursaron estudios superiores, son creyentes y el voluntariado está relacionado con su profesión. El 67,1% (53) trabajan y el 96,2% (75) ha tenido pérdida significativa. De media, llevan 12 años como voluntario y 2 años en el Centro. La media en compromiso con la organización fue 48 (Organizational Commitment Questionnarie) y en potencial motivador del puesto, 114 (Job Diagnostic Survey). El perfil de voluntarios muestra un historial mayoritario de voluntariado en el que después de sufrir una pérdida se dirige hacia la ayuda recibida. Las vivencias propias marcan la elección del tipo de voluntariado y posiblemente su permanencia sin excluir otras motivaciones

In this article it is analyzed whether self-experiences mark the motivation of choice, satisfaction and commitment of a volunteer focused on accompanying people in mourning. To do this, a psychometric analysis was performed on the questionnaires used. A total of 79 volunteers out of the 123 registered in the database of the Centre answered the questionnaire (response rate: 64%). The mean age was 48 years (SD 12.95), and 69.6% (55) were women and 30.4% (24) were men. More than 72% (56) attended high school, are believers and volunteering is related to their profession. More than two-thirds 67.1% (53) worked, and 96.2% (75) has had a significant loss. On average, they have been volunteers for 12 years, with 2 years at the Center. The mean score in the commitment to the organization was 48 (Organizational Commitment Questionnaire), and 114 in the motivational potential of the job (Job Diagnostic Survey). The profile of volunteers showed a wide volunteer history after having suffered a loss, and is associated to the help received. Personal experiences decide the choice of the type of volunteer work, and possibly its tenure, without excluding other motivations

'End of life could be on any ward really': A qualitative study of hospital volunteers' end-of-life care training needs and learning preferences.

BACKGROUND: Over half of all deaths in Europe occur in hospital, a location associated with many complaints. Initiatives to improve inpatient end-of-life care are therefore a priority. In England, over 78,000 volunteers provide a potentially cost-effective resource to hospitals. Many work with people who are dying and their families, yet little is known about their training in end-of-life care. AIMS: To explore hospital volunteers' end-of-life care training needs and learning preferences, and the acceptability of training evaluation methods. DESIGN: Qualitative focus groups. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers from a large teaching hospital were purposively sampled. RESULTS: Five focus groups were conducted with 25 hospital volunteers (aged 19-80 years). Four themes emerged as follows: preparation for the volunteering role, training needs, training preferences and evaluation preferences. Many described encounters with patients with life-threatening illness and their families. Perceived training needs in end-of-life care included communication skills, grief and bereavement, spiritual diversity, common symptoms, and self-care. Volunteers valued learning from peers and end-of-life care specialists using interactive teaching methods including real-case examples and role plays. A chance to 'refresh' training at a later date was suggested to enhance learning. Evaluation through self-reports or observations were acceptable, but ratings by patients, families and staff were thought to be pragmatically unsuitable owing to sporadic contact with each. CONCLUSION: Gaps in end-of-life care training for hospital volunteers indicate scope to maximise on this resource. This evidence will inform development of training and evaluations which could better enable volunteers to make positive, cost-effective contributions to end-of-life care in hospitals.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Connect: A Novel Volunteer Program for Hospitalized Patients with IBD and Their Families.

Patients with inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often require hospitalization and this experience is stressful. Health care providers frequently do not have adequate time to address the emotional impact of the hospitalization on the patient and family. Nonmedical support for inpatients was identified as an unmet need by a Crohn's disease patient's family. This led to the development of a volunteer peer specialist network, IBD Connect, where peer volunteers visit hospitalized patients with IBD to offer emotional support and educational materials. We aimed to determine the feasibility of incorporating IBD Connect into an inpatient IBD service, evaluate the impact of IBD Connect on patients' willingness to share their disease experience with family and friends, and improve stress. Since the inception of IBD Connect in 2012, peer volunteers have made 1469 total visits to 677 unique inpatients. Patient satisfaction of IBD Connect has been favorable with a significant decrease in stress related to the hospitalization. Similarly, there was significant increase in patients sharing their IBD diagnosis and experience with family and friends. Patients and their families are willing to share important information and ask questions to volunteers that may not have been discussed with their health care providers. In an era of patient-reported outcomes and patient-centered care, peer volunteers are an important component of chronic disease management and should be incorporated into IBD inpatient health care teams.

How trained volunteers can improve the quality of hospital care for older patients. A qualitative evaluation within the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP).

The aim of this study was to investigate, using a mixed-methods design, the added value of a trained Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) volunteer to the quality of hospital care in the Netherlands. The trained volunteers daily stimulate older patients, at risk of a delirium, to eat, to drink, and to exercise, and they provide walking assistance and cognitive stimulation. This study showed that each group appreciated the extra attention and service from the volunteers. The positive effect on feelings of loneliness during the hospital stay was an unexpected outcome. The volunteers themselves appreciated their work. In conclusion, a HELP volunteer should be provided to every older hospital patient.

Training lay counsellors to provide psychosocial support to ART users: successes and failures.

This study reports on a pilot project to train eight patient advocates (PAs) who provided psychosocial support to users of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in basic counselling skills. PAs received 18 hours of training over the course of 3 months. A cadre of raters evaluated the PAs after the training using the Counsellor Rating Form and a Counsellor Evaluation Form. Counsellor activities that were rated as approaching acceptability were: reflection of content, encouraging, summarising, gathering data, exploring alternatives, giving directives and terminating the session. Counselling activities rated as requiring further training were reflection of feeling, interpretation, exploring logical consequences, confrontation, identifying positive assets and challenging. These results are discussed in the context of creating and sustaining a health-enabling community for ART users.

A narrative literature review of the contribution of volunteers in end-of-life care services.

BACKGROUND: Volunteers are integral to the history of hospices and continue to play a vital role. However, economic, policy and demographic challenges in the twenty-first century raise questions about how best to manage this essential resource. AIM: This narrative review explores the recent literature on end-of-life care volunteering and reflects upon the issues pertinent to current organisational challenges and opportunities. DESIGN: The parameters of the review were set deliberately wide in order to capture some of the nuances of contemporary volunteer practices. Articles reporting on research or evaluation of adult end-of-life care services (excluding prison services) that use volunteers and were published in English between 2000 and 2011 were included. DATA SOURCES: Seven electronic databases, key journals and grey literature databases. RESULTS: Sixty-eight articles were included in the analysis. The articles were drawn from an international literature, while acknowledging that volunteer roles vary considerably by organisation and/or by country and over time. The majority of articles were small in scale and diverse in methodology, but the same topics repeatedly emerged from both the qualitative and quantitative data. The themes identified were individual volunteer factors (motivation, characteristics of volunteers, stress and coping, role boundaries and value) and organisational factors (recruiting for diversity, support and training and volunteers' place in the system). CONCLUSIONS: The tensions involved in negotiating the boundary spaces that volunteers inhabit, informality and regulation, diversity issues and the cultural specificity of community models, are suggested as topics that merit further research and could contribute to the continuing development of the volunteer workforce.