[Caring together: exploring the collaboration with relatives and volunteers from the perspective of care professionals].

Abstract

Introduction: Collaboration with relatives and volunteers is important to maintain the quality of life of clients in times of growing care demands and rising staff shortages. The aim of this study was to explore the facilitating and hindering factors in taking care together with relatives and volunteers from the perspectives of care professionals, managers and coaches.

Methods: Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 17 respondents in nursing home care, including 6 care professionals, 4 managers and 7 coaches. The transcripts were then thematically analysed in MAXQDA in three phases: open -, axial -and selective coding.

Results: Ten themes were identified and categorized on micro-, meso- and macro level. Themes of micro level concern the roles and alignment of care professionals, relatives and volunteers. Mesos level comprise themes on team-, department level and organisational level: recruitment of volunteers, work pressure of care professionals, the role of management, and realisation of policy. Themes on macro level transcend individual care organisations: connection to the neighbourhood and culture change.

Discussion: The findings emphasize the relevance of the collaboration between care professionals, relatives and volunteers. Also, the need for support and agreements on policy level was underlined.