Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan NS(1), Hui SLF(1), Yip LLV (1), Lui TC(2), Chui WK(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Central Nursing Division, Kowloon Hospital
(2)Patient Resource Centre, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Staff and patient engagement are vital to improving healthcare outcomes and fostering a positive work environment. In August 2023, Kowloon Hospital established the Nurse Volunteer Team with the dual aim of enhancing patient experiences and fostering staff collaboration. The program encourages nurses to volunteer in activities that support long-term hospitalized patients, while also strengthening bonds between staff from different departments. This initiative also builds relationships with the hospital’s existing volunteer groups. By promoting meaningful patient interactions and creating cross-departmental engagement, the initiative enhances staff satisfaction, strengthens hospital culture, and ultimately improves patient care outcomes.
Objectives :
To foster a sense of belonging and collaboration among staff across departments, while enriching the lives of long-term hospitalized patients and their families through compassionate care, interactive activities, and active patient engagement.
Methodology :
The key steps included:
1) Needs Assessment: Discussions with the Patient Resource Centre helped identify specific needs of long-term patients and shaped the volunteer team's support strategy.
2) Engagement and Training: Nurse volunteers were provided with orientation sessions to familiarize them with the program objectives, patient interaction guidelines, and expectations. Regular team-building activities encouraged cross-departmental bonding.
3) Recruitment of Patients and Carers: Long-term patients and their carers were invited to participate through coordination with the Patient Resource Centre, ensuring meaningful involvement.
4) Evaluation: Feedback was collected from participating nurses, patients, and patient’s carers to assess their satisfaction and gather suggestions for improvement.
Result & Outcome :
Nurses reported feeling fulfilled and motivated by the opportunity to engage with patients, with many noting that patient smiles and gratitude were especially rewarding. They also described stronger connections with colleagues, leading to a more unified hospital culture. Patients and their families expressed deep appreciation for the volunteer team’s compassionate interactions and recreational activities, which brought joy and a sense of normalcy to hospital routines. The program successfully fostered both staff and patient engagement, enhancing relationships within the hospital community.
The Nurse Volunteer Team proved to be a valuable initiative for improving staff morale, cross-departmental collaboration, and patient experiences at Kowloon Hospital. By promoting volunteerism, the program fostered a cohesive, supportive environment that benefits both healthcare workers and patients.
