An empirical analysis about motivations among Hospital volunteers

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify the different types of volunteers’ motivations that work in hospitals. We present the literature review about different types of motivations and we collect data from hospital volunteers through a questionnaire. Four different motivations categories are identified: development and learning, altruism, career recognition and belonging and protection. The main motivations expressed are, first, development and learning, followed by altruism. Belonging and protection, followed by career recognition are the least mentioned motivations. Career recognition is negatively correlated with age and belonging/ protection is negatively correlated with education. That is, younger volunteers present more career recognition motives and less educated volunteers show more protection and belonging purpose. This paper brings together hospital volunteers and motivations. The paper is useful to policy makers aiming to develop targeted approaches to attract and retain volunteers.