Chartrand: Volunteering in health care can and should change for the better
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Volunteers are the heart of the health-care system: from traditional roles that support activities, welcome patients and help navigate the health system labyrinth, to the emotional support offered through direct engagement with those in our care. They also play strategic, guiding roles on boards and as patient advisers shaping how care is delivered. People give their time and talents in many ways, and we witness — and are strengthened by — that generosity every day at Bruyère Health, Eastern Ontario's leading health-care organization specializing in aging, rehabilitation and care for people with complex medical conditions.
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When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, this heart virtually stopped beating. Our volunteer community dropped from more than 600 to just a handful. As we slowly and carefully re-opened our doors, it was clear: we couldn't simply return to the way things were. We had to reimagine what volunteering looks like — and what it could become.
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The right person in the right role
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People volunteer for many reasons, including: having a deep desire to give back; to strengthen and build social connections; to practice language skills; or to gain meaningful experience. But the common thread is to make an impact. Volunteers want to know their time and talents matter. And in a system as complex as health care, it's up to us to create pathways where purpose meets opportunity. Matching the right person to the right role isn't just good practice, it's essential for retention. It takes a thoughtful blend of strategy and creativity to get it right.
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We need to make volunteering easier. In health care, necessary safety and security practices can make starting a volunteer role a complex proposition. But by embracing digital tools, streamlining our onboarding, and listening to volunteer feedback, we're removing friction from the process. We will move people more quickly out of paperwork and into roles where they can make a difference.
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Health care is collaborative work and where synergies exist among organizations, these should be used to create more meaningful opportunities for volunteers and enhance the patient experience.
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A concrete example is the partnership of Bruyère Health's stroke rehabilitation unit with March of Dimes Canada. With this partnership, recent stroke survivors are provided training to help them use their own experience to provide hope, encouragement and support to families that are beginning the recovery process in a volunteer capacity.
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And there are ample opportunities to innovate and collaborate. Could you imagine a volunteer passport in the Ottawa area that would see a streamlined training and onboarding program so that volunteers could have one access point to support all health-care entities in the region? We also see opportunities for volunteers to play a greater role in helping patients transition from hospital to home, offering companionship and support during what is often a vulnerable time.
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