Title

The Role, Measurement, and Impact of Volunteerism in Hospitals

Authors

Authors

R. B. Hotchkiss; L. Unruh;M. D. Fottler

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Nonprofit Volunt. Sect. Q.

Keywords

volunteerism; professional volunteers; lay volunteers; health care; volunteers; service quality; clinical quality; cost savings; VALUING VOLUNTEERS; BENEFITS; Social Issues

Abstract

Volunteer programs are expected to positively impact the organizations in which they exist. This article reviews the literature on volunteerism, including what volunteers do, how their contributions can be measured, and the financial- and quality-related outcomes of volunteer programs. The focus is on volunteerism in health care settings, particularly hospitals. The article summarizes the existing theoretical and empirical literature concerning the roles of volunteers, the economic value of volunteers, cost-benefit analysis of volunteer labor, and the impact of volunteers on quality and patient satisfaction. The review indicates that the use of volunteers offers significant cost savings to hospitals and may positively impact profit margins. Volunteers are also likely to enhance quality indicators such as patient satisfaction and safety. Implications of these findings for management and future research are discussed.

Journal Title

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

Volume

43

Issue/Number

6

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

1111

Last Page

1128

WOS Identifier

WOS:000345227200010

ISSN

0899-7640

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