Experience of Volunteer Health Workers

Abstract

                The objective of this interpretive phenomenology study is to investigate the work experiences of volunteer health workers. Eight health volunteers working within the community in Bangkok were purposive selected to participate in recorded in-depth interviews . The data was extracted and transcribed verbatim using Benner’s content analysis method. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes that characterized the experiences of working as volunteer health workers. The themes were: 1) the meaning of volunteerism including (a) working and carrying out activities as assigned and (b) the act of the heart that wants to give or help others or the public through a willful action without any self-benefit or compensation; 2) becoming a volunteer health worker including being invited by friends, self-evaluation of workability, and having a passion for volunteer work; 3) the work of volunteer health workers involves a variety of activities and requires many skills including conducting community health surveys, providing health information, visiting homes, assisting chronically ill and bed-ridden patients, and engaging in social services; 4) the results of volunteer work includes mentally and physically exhaustion from the work, feeling accomplishment as the giver, proud of oneself, get good thing come to life, and learn from experiences and apply them to take care of one’s own health; and 5) experience in end of life care. All participants had a positive attitude toward death and caring for end of life patients, but they reported having less confidence to assist and provide care due to a lack of knowledge and skills in this aspect.  The results reflect the roles of volunteer health workers that benefit the community and the obstacles to achieving the responsible tasks. The important needs are the volunteer recruitment system and training program to improve both knowledge and experiences that covers community health care needs, especially care for chronically ill, elderly, and end of life patients.  Moreover, volunteers support and team building exercises should be strengthened in order to achieve good health outcomes.