OBJECTIVE: To determine if burnout, role ambiguity or conflict affects Australian hospice volunteers. METHOD: Hospice volunteers (n=120) participated in this survey. RESULTS: 97 participants completed the survey. The majority were middle aged women who had been palliative care volunteers for more than 7 years and volunteered 14 hours/week (median). Participants reported low levels of role ambiguity (X=8.4, SD +3.0) and conflict (X= 9.8; SD+ 3.4) and described enjoying their volunteering and

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... ng no symptoms of burnout (76%). SIGNIFICANCE: Whilst burnout and role ambiguity were not identified as areas of concern for these volunteers, hospice services need to be mindful of the potential for role conflict. Adopting a range of self-care strategies and working within a structured volunteer program appear to be important protective factors.