'It's not what they were expecting': A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the role and experience of the hospital palliative care volunteer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Volunteers make a major contribution to palliative care but little is known specifically about hospital palliative care volunteers.

Aim

The aim of this study was to understand the role and experience of hospital palliative care volunteers.

Design

Systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Data sources

CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, PubMed and three dissertation databases were searched from inception to June 2019. A forward and backward search of included papers in key journals was also undertaken. Records were independently assessed against inclusion criteria by authors. Included papers were assessed for quality, but none were excluded.

Results

In total, 14 papers were included. Hospital palliative care volunteers were mostly female, aged

SUBMITTER: Bloomer MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7222697 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature