Quality outcomes for pediatric colorectal surgery treated during short-term international medical service trips at a dedicated site in Honduras

Medical service trips have a long and distinguished history. In the United States,interest in medical outreach trips has grown substantially, as medical schools andnon-governmental organizations support numerous overseas endeavors at an estimatedcost of 250 million dollars a year. Although providing care to those in need is arewarding experience, the question that needs to be answered is whether these tripsdo more harm than good. We describe our experience during a medical service trip toEnsenada, Mexico. We treated over 500 people for numerous problems, but due to thelack of services were not able to monitor or ensure follow-up. Did we do more harmby providing medications that can have serious side effects? Recommendations havebeen developed to help short-term international medical service trips provide the bestoverall experience for the participants and the best care for the patients.

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Short-term medical service trips: what is the cost of patient care and student training?

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihz110 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John Rovers ◽

Michael Andreski ◽

Michelle Becker ◽

Jeffrey Gray

Keyword(s):

Medical Service ◽

Office Visit ◽

Opportunity Costs ◽

Short Term ◽

Use Of Resources ◽

Before And After ◽

The Usa ◽

Student Training ◽

The Cost ◽

Medical Service Trips

Abstract Background Evaluations of the costs and effects of medical service trips (MSTs) are increasingly necessary. Estimates of costs can inform decision making to determine if participation is likely to be a wise use of resources. Methods This study estimates the costs and effects of a 1-week MST for 20 health professions students and seven providers to the Dominican Republic. Costs were defined as direct costs for students and providers and opportunity costs for providers. Effects were defined as the cost to treat one patient and the cost to train one student. Students were surveyed about their costs before and after the MST. Most provider costs were assumed to be the same as those of the students. Results The mean direct cost per student was US$1764 and US$2066 for providers. Total opportunity costs for seven providers was US$19 869. The total cost for the trip was US$69 612 to treat 464 patients. With and without provider opportunity costs, the cost to treat one patient was US$150 and US$107, and the cost to train one student was US$3481 and US$2487, respectively. Conclusions Short-term MSTs may be more expensive than previously thought. The cost to treat one patient was similar to a medical office visit in the USA.

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Challenges and Lessons Learned From Short-Term Medical Service Trips in Global Communities

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners ◽

10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.06.016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. 573-577

Author(s):

Chai-Chih Huang ◽

Vanessa Torres ◽

Eufemia Jacob

Keyword(s):

Medical Service ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Short Term ◽

Medical Service Trips

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