Title of Research
Start Date
17-11-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
17-11-2017 11:30 AM
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Every year medical professionals and volunteers travel internationally to provide services to individuals in need. However, some times these trips can be more detrimental than helpful. This can be due to the fact that these trips are self-serving in which they provide value for visitors without meeting the local community needs (Unite for Site, 2015). Secondly, they raise unmet expectations due to language barriers or lack of medical training for particular diseases. In addition, they may provide culturally irrelevant or inadequate care to the communities they are serving. Lastly, these missions may not follow current standards of health care delivery (continuity, access) or public heath programs (equity, sustainability) (Suchdev et. al, 2007).
Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine published research that examines different components of effective medical missions in developing countries. Cultural aspects of individuals and communities are essential to understand to ensure efficient and effective care is achieved
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted to include recent, primary, peer-reviewed sources. Data synthesis and analysis was completed to identify common themes in the literature relevant to medical missions.
Results: Common themes found throughout the literature were pre-trip planning and orientation to healthcare visitors prior to departure, conducting a health needs assessment with host country, collaborative work & training with host country during the trip, and two-way learning through development of cultural competence.
Conclusion: It is crucial for research to be aimed towards development of cultural competence in healthcare professionals, especially when traveling to developing countries during medical missions. If nurse’s/healthcare providers (HCP) are able to grasp the influence these factors have on individuals, they are better able to center their care that is individualized to the patient’s culture and have a more meaningful and successful outcome
Keywords: competence, missions or volunteerism, nursing, medicine, or health care, culture, global health.
Included in
Cultural Competency in Effective Medical Missions
Abstract
Background: Every year medical professionals and volunteers travel internationally to provide services to individuals in need. However, some times these trips can be more detrimental than helpful. This can be due to the fact that these trips are self-serving in which they provide value for visitors without meeting the local community needs (Unite for Site, 2015). Secondly, they raise unmet expectations due to language barriers or lack of medical training for particular diseases. In addition, they may provide culturally irrelevant or inadequate care to the communities they are serving. Lastly, these missions may not follow current standards of health care delivery (continuity, access) or public heath programs (equity, sustainability) (Suchdev et. al, 2007).
Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to examine published research that examines different components of effective medical missions in developing countries. Cultural aspects of individuals and communities are essential to understand to ensure efficient and effective care is achieved
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted to include recent, primary, peer-reviewed sources. Data synthesis and analysis was completed to identify common themes in the literature relevant to medical missions.
Results: Common themes found throughout the literature were pre-trip planning and orientation to healthcare visitors prior to departure, conducting a health needs assessment with host country, collaborative work & training with host country during the trip, and two-way learning through development of cultural competence.
Conclusion: It is crucial for research to be aimed towards development of cultural competence in healthcare professionals, especially when traveling to developing countries during medical missions. If nurse’s/healthcare providers (HCP) are able to grasp the influence these factors have on individuals, they are better able to center their care that is individualized to the patient’s culture and have a more meaningful and successful outcome
Keywords: competence, missions or volunteerism, nursing, medicine, or health care, culture, global health.