Role and Deployment of Volunteers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Volunteers are important members of the care team for clients receiving palliative care. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, data indicated a large decline in the number of palliative care volunteers. Walshe and colleagues (2022) conducted a survey to understand the roles and deployment of volunteers in hospice palliative care services as these services have adjusted to the impact of COVID-19. This study found that: the reduction in volunteer deployment has been sustained and has negatively impacted quality of care; volunteer training shifted to online; and few organizations have created new volunteer roles or ways of working. Organizations need to consider how to attract a younger volunteer demographic through new opportunities. Virtual or remote volunteering can be further developed in inclusive and equitable ways. Read more…