Training and supportive programs for palliative care volunteers in community settings

摘要: Background Palliative care is specialised health to support people living with a terminal illness and their families. The involvement of volunteers can extend the range activities offered by palliative services, particularly for those in community. Activities undertaken vary considerably but be practical, social or emotional nature. types training provided these are likely affect volunteers' effectiveness role influence quality clients Training also have considerable resource implications organisations, which makes it important know how provide this as effectively possible. Objectives To assess effects strategies on families, service quality. Search methods We searched Cochrane Central Register Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Library, 28 April 2014); MEDLINE (1946 28 EMBASE (1988 PsycINFO (1806 CINAHL (EbscoHOST) (1981 ProQuest Dissertations Theses (1861 2014). We Database Abstracts Reviews Effects (DARE, Library); reference lists relevant studies; conducted an extensive search evaluations published government reports other grey literature including CareSearch database (www.caresearch.com.au (September 2004 February 2012) websites unpublished ongoing studies. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomised trials, before-and-after (CBA) studies interrupted time series (ITS) all formal programs volunteers. Programs included were classified according any stated implied purpose: that is, whether they intended build skills volunteer's role, enhance coping, maintain standards. Data collection analysis Two review authors screened 2614 citations identified through electronic searches after duplicates removed. yielded no additional titles. potentially titles found eligible inclusion. Main results We did not find assessed meet our inclusion criteria. excluded suggest area possible. Authors' conclusions The use continue, there absence evidence show best train them whilst maintaining standards patients