| Valuing volunteers: the impact of volunteerism on hospital performance. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19322043 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Volunteers have been present in health care settings for centuries. However, there is little empirical evidence regarding the impact that volunteers make on hospital performance. Since the 1990s, hospitals in the United States have had a great deal of pressure to produce high-quality care at minimum expense. These pressures have enhanced the benefits of using volunteers in a hospital setting. PURPOSE: This study utilized multiple regression analysis to explore the impact of the use of volunteers and the level of professionalism of volunteer programs on cost effectiveness and patient satisfaction in hospitals. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Hospitals throughout the state of Florida were invited to participate in the study by completing a brief questionnaire about their volunteer programs. Performance indicators of volunteer cost savings and patient satisfaction scores for 50 Florida hospitals were analyzed using data sets from the American Hospital Association and Agency for Health Care Administration along with data obtained from a questionnaire. FINDINGS: Results indicate that the use of volunteers offers significant cost savings to hospitals and enhances patient satisfaction scores. DISCUSSION: Larger volunteer programs appear to enhance patient satisfaction while containing costs. Future research opportunities related to the impact of volunteers and volunteer professionalism on other hospital performance measures are suggested. |
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Authors:
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Renee Brent Hotchkiss; Myron D Fottler; Lynn Unruh |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Health care management review Volume: 34 ISSN: 1550-5030 ISO Abbreviation: Health Care Manage Rev Publication Date: 2009 Apr-Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-03-26 Completed Date: 2009-07-24 Revised Date: 2010-07-22 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7611530 Medline TA: Health Care Manage Rev Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 119-28 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA. rhotchkiss@georgiasouthern.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Cost-Benefit Analysis
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economics Economics, Hospital / statistics & numerical data* Florida Health Care Surveys Health Services Research Hospital Volunteers / economics* Humans Patient Satisfaction Professional Competence / economics Regression Analysis |
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