Effective practices of international volunteering for health: perspectives from partner organizations

Abstract

BackgroundThe demand for international volunteer experiences to promote global health and nutrition is increasing and numerous studies have documented the experiences of the international volunteers who travel abroad; however, little is known about effective practices from the perspective of partner organizations. This study aims to understand how variables such as the skill-level of volunteers, the duration of service, cultural and language training, and other key variables affect partner organizations’ perceptions of volunteer effectiveness at promoting healthcare and nutrition.MethodThis study used a cross-sectional design to survey a convenience sample of 288 volunteer partner organizations located in 68 countries. Principle components analyses and manual coding of cases resulted in a categorization of five generalized types of international volunteering. Differences among these types were compared by the duration of service, skill-level of volunteers, and the volunteers’ perceived fit with organizational needs. In addition, a multivariate ordinary least square regression tested associations between nine different characteristics/activities and the volunteers’ perceived effectiveness at promoting healthcare and nutrition.ResultsPartner organizations viewed highly-skilled volunteers serving for a short-term abroad as the most effective at promoting healthcare and nutrition in their organizations, followed by slightly less-skilled long-term volunteers. The greatest amount of variance in perceived effectiveness was volunteers’ ability to speak the local language, followed by their skill level and the duration of service abroad. In addition, volunteer training in community development principles and practices was significantly related to perceived effectiveness.ConclusionThe perceptions of effective healthcare promotion identified by partner organizations suggest that program and volunteer characteristics need to be carefully considered when deciding on methods of volunteer preparation and engagement. By better integrating evidence-based practices into their program models, international volunteer cooperation organizations can greatly strengthen their efforts to promote more effective and valuable healthcare and nutrition interventions in partner communities.

Ethical Considerations for Short‐Term Global Health Projects

“…Examples of problems that have been identified include displacement and devaluing of local health care providers as communities become dependent on volunteer services, inadequate follow-up for medical or surgical treatment when volunteers leave, perpetration of superiority stereotypes, and inequitable use of funding. [16][17][18][19][20] Harms to all participants can be mitigated by employing ethical principles. Global health projects present multiple opportunities to encounter socioeconomic and cultural differences and thus invite examination of the influence of good intentions and resulting activities.…”

“…Other outcomes of this problem include poor communication and inability to establish a partnership between volunteer and host. 13,20,32 Cultural competency, language, and cultural humility were the most frequently mentioned training topics in the guidelines reviewed by Lasker et al 5 In order to work from an ethical framework, some authors have suggested that volunteers explore possible ethical dilemmas prior to departure. 5,6,13,26,33,34 This may include focus on the many differences between volunteer and host, such as standards of practice, needed accommodations in working with the local staff, and treatment of people based on gender.…”

Motivations and Barriers Associated With Physician Volunteerism for an International Telemedicine Organization

“…Addressing workforce challenges has the potential to improve patient outcomes and build stronger health systems (4). Consequently, demand for volunteers with medical expertise has risen significantly as communities and governments lack the financial resources to recruit, train, and maintain local health workers (5, 6).…”

“…This form of volunteerism, while popular, raises important ethical considerations. For instance, local organizations that host international volunteers have expressed concerns about temporary volunteers competing with, or even substituting, locally trained health workers (5, 7). Additionally, the sustainability and effect of using short-term volunteers to supplement the local health workforce have been questioned (6).…”

“…Researchers examining healthcare professionals returning from short-term medical trips have found that most international volunteers are motivated for altruistic reasons, but self-interested motives such as the opportunity to travel also played a role (19). Furthermore, prior researchers have assessed the effect of international volunteers on local health systems, as well as perspectives from partner organizations (5, 6). While many researchers have evaluated the various experiences of international volunteerism, few have examined the motivations and barriers of healthcare professionals volunteering virtually.…”