The Impact of Hospital Volunteers on Older Patients: A Fresh Look

Have you ever wondered what role volunteers play in hospitals? They're not just there to hand out magazines or push wheelchairs. Volunteers, especially those who work with older patients, have a big job. They help support patients who might need extra care. This review looked at how hospital volunteers, who focus on therapy, are seen by the people they work with. That includes nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals, as well as patients, their families, and the volunteers themselves. The goal was to gather and understand what these groups think about these volunteer programs. It's like a big puzzle where each piece is a different perspective, and when put together, they give a clear picture of how important these volunteers are. By doing this, we can learn what works well and what could be improved to make the experience even better for everyone involved.