Abstract
Background: In Uganda in each year approximately
27,000 new cases of cancer are reported affecting 1.5%
of the population.1 However a shortage of Doctors,
wide geographical distribution, and poor transport
systems leads to many patients especially in rural areas
experiencing severe uncontrolled symptoms.
Hospice Africa Uganda developed a community
volunteer worker programme where local villagers are
trained to identify patients with palliative care needs.
The volunteers refer patients to the hospice and provide
basic care and support for patients and families. A
training course with ongoing support has resulted in 45
volunteers currently practicing. The volunteers receive
no payment, except for a bicycle enabling them to
reach remote rural areas. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the impact of the volunteer programme on
patients, hospice staff and volunteers.
Methodology: A qualitative methodology using semi
structured individual and group tape recorded
interviews was adopted for the study. A purposive
sample of a volunteers (22), patients (11) and hospice
staff involved with the programme (2) were invited to
participate in the study. Data was analysed for emerging
themes using thematic analysis.
Results and discussion: The volunteers were seen to
be providing a positive impact to patients in helping
them to receive appropriate care and intervention from
the hospice team; additionally they were providing
basic nursing care, support and advice to patients and
their families. For volunteers, the role increased their
confidence by providing care for their community.
Additionally for the hospice team it enables patients in
rural areas with palliative care needs to be identified
and provided with appropriate care. This paper will
discuss the findings from the study and provide an
overview of the structure of the programme.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Event | 11th Congress for the European Association for Palliative Care - Vienna, Austria Duration: 7 May 2009 → 10 May 2009 |
Conference
Conference | 11th Congress for the European Association for Palliative Care |
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Country/Territory | Austria |
City | Vienna |
Period | 7/05/09 → 10/05/09 |