Short-Term Medical Missions: Enhancing or Eroding Health?

Abstract

This paper analyzes two case studies of short-term medical missions to Latin America. Its conclusions suggest that when such projects are evaluated in terms oftheir impact upon the health status ofthe local population or health care delivery systems, they are found to have insignificant and even negative consequences. The shortcomings of these short-term efforts reflect the cultural assumptions that inform their design and implementation, rather than local health realities. Recommendations are suggested to increase the effectiveness of these missions in terms of the health needs of local populations.

Making short-term international medical volunteer placements work: a qualitative study

“…This was especially because most volunteers held a degree of ignorance that has been described as a mix of 'naïve realism and ethnocentrism'. 13 Despite knowledge being exchanged, expectations were not always fulfilled. This discrepancy in understanding and unmet expectations could adversely colour participants' views of the shortterm volunteer scheme.…”

“…8 They may also fail to consider local needs and could undermine existing services. [13][14][15] In addition, IMVs could acquire disproportionate political influence over local health policies. 16 However, international volunteering can potentially benefit the volunteer and host; the challenge is to find ways to optimise this.…”

Teaching quality improvement in Tanzania: a model of inter-professional partnership for global health development

“…30,31 The short duration of this program allows health care professionals to contribute to medical mission work with limited time commitment while avoiding the well-described potential unintended consequences of short term medical mission work. 32,33 By focusing on capacity building and education, rather than providing actual medical care, we have attempted to avoid the well-described risks of mission work which may actually degrade health system development.…”

Sent to Heal! About the Biblical Roots, the History, and the Legacy of Medical Missions

“…28 However, as laudable as such initiatives appear to be at first sight, they do not solve prevailing issues due to lack of proper record-keeping, of qualified follow-up, of oftentimes deficient coordination with other agencies, and by a common dearth of intercultural competence. 29 To do medical mission work, good intentions simply are not good enough. Untamed good intentions actually cloud the sober minded perception of what truly gets achieved 30 and, thus, become counterproductive to the proclamation of the Gospel.…”