Helping, Learning and Enjoying: Medical Professionals' Motivation to Volunteer with World Servants

Abstract

The importance of volunteers grows as the economy worsens and societal relations weaken. This makes it volunteer motivation an important subject and it has been extensively researched. However, the aim of this study is to study the different aspects of volunteer motivation for volunteers with a specific skillset, as identified by medically trained volunteers with World Servants. It attempts to do this through the theories of Self-Determination Theory (Ryan and Deci, 2000), Public Service Motivation (Perry, 1996) and Volunteer Functions Inventory (Clary et al., 1998). The interviews of 15 volunteers were analysed through a qualitative method to find the most important functions of motivation. The volunteers identified a highly autonomous motivation, specifically values/compassion, understanding and social, while being least motivated by career. It can be concluded that medically trained volunteers with World Servants are mostly motivated by their desire to help, to experience professional and personal growth and enjoyment of the different (social) aspects of the projects. Organisations may attract more volunteers by giving them the opportunity to fulfil these needs desires and thus providing for the different intrinsic motivations of the volunteers.