Analysis of the Characteristics of a Team Working in Conditions of Exposure (Hospice Environment)

Background The aim of the study was to examine the functioning of the team, working in conditions of exposure and finding reasons for which a specific group takes actions in conditions of life threatening others or own. The population being studied is a hospice team (N = 229). Methods Logistic regression analysis and multidimensional correspondence analysis were used in the research. Results The level of personal religiosity was regulated in a different way in the respective surveyed professional groups. In the group of hospice volunteers we managed to build 2 models, in the hospice employees – 4 models, in the group of volunteers - 5 models. Conclusion There are different types of motivation and a sense of identity. The highest level of guilt is declared by a group of hospice volunteers. In the group of volunteers of the hospice: the thanatological anxiety and mood stimulate the growth of personal religiousness.

Differences in well-being and fear of death among female hospice employees and volunteers in Hungary

Background Voluntary work plays a significant role in hospice care, but international research has mainly been conducted on the mental health and fear of death of paid hospice staff. The aim of the present study was to compare the Hungarian hospice volunteers with paid employees with regard to attitudes and fear of death, as well as mental health in order to see their role in hospice work and their psychological well-being more clearly. Methods The target population of the cross-sectional questionnaire study was hospice care providers in Hungary (N = 1255). The response rate was 15.5% (N = 195); 91.8% (N = 179) of them were women. The mean age of female hospice workers was 45.8 years (SD = 10.46 years, range: 23–73 years). One-quarter (27.9%, N = 50) of the female respondents were volunteers. The instruments were: the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and a shortened versions of the Beck Depression Inventory and the Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire. Results Volunteers scored significantly lower on 5 dimensions of fear of death than paid employees, and showed significantly lower levels of vital exhaustion and significantly higher levels of psychological well-being than paid employees. Fear of the dying process was associated with an increased perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and vital exhaustion in both groups. Psychological well-being showed a significant negative, moderate correlation with four aspects of fear of death among paid staff; this pattern did not appear in the volunteer group. In addition, the association between fear of premature death and perceived stress, vital exhaustion, and depressive symptoms was more pronounced is case of paid workers. Conclusion Higher levels of psychological well-being and lower levels of fear of death among hospice volunteers suggest that they are less exhausted than paid employees. Increasing the recruitment of volunteers in hospices may help reduce the overload and exhaustion of paid employees.

Hospice Volunteers – Their Social and Emotional Competences

Przedmiotem artykułu są kompetencje społeczne i emocjonalne, które mają podstawowe znaczenie dla wolontariuszy posługujących w hospicjach. Celem autorki jest opracowanie metody umożliwiającej określenie poziomu kompetencji społecznych i emocjonalnych, którymi dysponują kandydaci na wolontariuszy. Wiedza ta będzie przydatna w procesie rekrutacji wolontariuszy do posługi przy chorych i umierających. W części teoretycznej artykułu wyjaśniono, czym jest hospicjum, jakie miejsce zajmują w jego strukturze wolontariusze i jakie stawia się wobec nich oczekiwania odnośnie kompetencji. W części dotyczącej badania główny problem badawczy brzmi: Jakie kompetencje społeczne i emocjonalne posiadają kandydaci na wolontariuszy hospicyjnych? Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników można stwierdzić, że szczególnie cenione są kompetencje emocjonalne związane wynikające z dojrzałości osobowej.

Palliative and end of life care in prisons: a mixed-methods rapid review of the literature from 2014–2018

ObjectivesTo explore current practice in relation to palliative and end of life care in prisons, and to make recommendations for its future provision.DesignA rapid literature review of studies using qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods, with a narrative synthesis of results.Data sourcesSix databases searched between January 2014 to December 2018: ASSIA, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, National Criminal Justice Reference Service Abstracts and Scopus.Eligibility criteriaPrimary research articles reporting qualitative or quantitative findings about palliative and end of life care in prisons, published in peer-reviewed, English language journals between January 2014 to December 2018.ParticipantsPrisoners, prisoners’ families, prison healthcare staff and other prison staff.Data extraction/synthesisData extracted included: citation, design, aim, setting, sample/population, methods and key findings. Data were analysed thematically then subject to a narrative synthesis in order to answer the research questions.Quality appraisalTwo researchers independently appraised articles using the Qualsyst tool, by Kmet et al (2004). Aggregate summary quality scores are included with findings. Articles were not excluded based on quality appraisal.Results23 articles were included (16 qualitative, 6 quantitative, 1 mixed methods). Top three findings (by prevalence) were: fostering relationships with people both inside and outside of prison is important to prisoners with palliative and end of life care needs, inmate hospice volunteers are able to build and maintain close relationships with the prisoners they care for and the conflicting priorities of care and custody can have a negative impact on the delivery of palliative and end of life care in prisons.ConclusionsThe key findings are: relationships are important to prisoners at the end of life, inmate hospice volunteers can build close bonds with the prisoners in their care and the prison environment and regime conflicts with best practices in palliative and end of life care. Directions for future research are also identified.PROSPERO registration numberPROSPERO ID: CRD42019118737. Registered January 2019.