ArticleBMC health services research2026
Relational care in palliative care units: a qualitative study of low-threshold volunteer hospice conversations.
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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7 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPalliative care aims to address psychosocial needs alongside medical treatment. In inpatient settings, however, organisational constraints may limit opportunities for sustained relational support. Volunteer-based conversation offers represent a potential service-level response to these gaps, yet little is known about how such low-threshold models are implemented and experienced within routine inpatient care.
methodsThis qualitative descriptive interview study explored the experiences of twelve trained volunteer hospice companions involved in a low-threshold conversation offer on two palliative care units in Germany. Semi-structured individual interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis following Kuckartz, with inductively developed categories and independent double coding.
resultsVolunteers described the conversations as a distinct relational care practice grounded in presence, attentiveness and deliberate restraint rather than intervention. Care was enacted through responsiveness to patients’ momentary needs, including respect for silence, refusal and non-verbal interaction. The ward-based interdisciplinary setting and effective symptom control were perceived as key enablers of psychosocial conversations, while the rotating and low-binding format entailed specific emotional and organisational demands, underscoring the importance of supervision and role clarity.
conclusionsLow-threshold, non-prearranged volunteer conversations represent a distinct relational care practice in hospital palliative care. They may support autonomy and dignity through non-imposition and situational responsiveness, and they highlight the ethical responsibility of institutions to provide structural support, supervision and clearly defined roles for volunteers.
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