Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
International Observatory on End of Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
J Pain Symptom Manage. 2021 Sep;62(3):e232-e247. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025. Epub 2021 Feb 26.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
之前的研究主要集中在有薪酬的姑息治疗工作人员所面临的压力、倦怠和对整体情绪健康的影响风险上，然而，从事患者服务角色的志愿者也面临着类似的压力源。志愿者越来越多地为患者和家属提供情感支持，但很少得到他们自己的正式支持。了解志愿者在角色中的情感体验对于确定可以实施哪些策略来有效支持他们非常重要。
综合姑息治疗和临终关怀环境中志愿者的情感体验的定性数据，包括人们如何应对这一角色，以及如何最好地支持他们。
采用系统综述和主题综合设计，包括迭代的三阶段综合，包括逐行编码、将其组织成描述性主题，然后发展分析性主题。2019 年 11 月在四个数据库（PsycInfo、CINAHL、MEDLINE 和 EMBASE）中进行了搜索。使用批判性评估技能计划来评估纳入的论文。
从 22 项纳入的研究中，得出了四个主题：1）内在挑战（例如，矛盾的感觉）；2）外在挑战（例如，资源和期望）；3）个人收益（例如，学习和自我成长）；4）建立关系（例如，适当的界限）。挑战包括与他们的角色相关的个人感受，例如不确定性、不够好和疲惫感，以及姑息治疗系统内的挫败感。
志愿者面临着独特的挑战，但也有积极的影响，这可能会影响他们的情绪健康。重要的是要监测志愿者的应对方式并提供适当的支持。
