Volunteering development in Palliative Care

Background: Besides basic and vital needs, patients and their families have other personal and psychosocial requirements. Thus, palliative care volunteers must complement professional work by covering these necessities-providing well-being and assuring the best quality of life. A volunteer is therefore a pivotal part in the process. Objective: To establish a consensus strategic plan amongst various organizations for the development of high-quality volunteering. Method: A literature analysis, questions to lawyers, creation of a nominal group, and validation of agreements made. Results: Eighteen articles were selected for complete reading after a bibliographical search. Several documents published by the Spanish State, Spanish Regions, and National or International organisms were found by lawyers. Regarding the formalization of the nominal group, 9 representatives of 8 associations and the Regional Program of Palliative Care of Estremadura were included, and they agreed in participating in volunteering planning. After several meetings a consensus plan was designed including 13 objectives and 18 actions. Conclusions: Volunteering is a suitable way to complement care and support for end-stage patients. In Estremadura a plan with different actions has been developed. Different associations and the Healthcare Administration participated in its development.