DEVELOPING A HOSPITAL'S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Today's competitive environment is placing increasing and often conflicting demands on hospital social service departments. In these difficult circumstances, the use of volunteers may help provide services that would not otherwise be available. This article outlines a systematic approach to developing volunteer programs that avoids common pitfalls and is both effective and cost conscious. Recent changes in the delivery of health services are placing extraordinary and often conflicting demands on hospital social service departments. Renewed emphasis on accountability and quali-ty assurance has necessitated the creation and maintenance of extensive accounting systems. At the same time, prospective reimbursement schemes have created demands for more intens