scholarly journals A narrative review of protocols for the management of respiratory illness on short-term medical missions (STMMs) in Latin America and the Caribbean

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Dainton ◽  
Charlene H Chu
Author(s):  
Christopher Dainton ◽  
Charlene H Chu

Abstract Background Women’s health conditions are commonly encountered on short-term medical missions (STMMs) in Latin America and the Caribbean. There have been no previous attempts to describe women’s health protocols used by volunteer clinicians. This qualitative study aimed to describe areas of agreement between unpublished women’s health protocols from different North American STMM organizations and assess their concordance with published WHO guidelines. Methods A systematic web search was used to identify North American STMM sending organizations. Clinical protocols were downloaded from their websites and organizations were contacted to request protocols that were not published online. The protocols obtained were summarized, analysed thematically and compared to existing WHO guidelines. Results Of 225 organizations contacted, 112 (49.8%) responded and 31 of these (27.7%) had clinical protocols, of which 20 were obtained and analysed. Nine (45%) discussed sexually transmitted infections, six (30%) discussed pelvic inflammatory disease, two (10%) discussed prenatal care and two (10%) discussed menstrual disorders. None were the product of systematic literature searches and most were not referenced. Conclusions To avoid ineffective treatment and related harms to women, volunteer clinicians would benefit from the adaptation and distribution of guidelines for STMMs that are based on existing WHO guidance and acceptable to clinicians, patients and organizations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Estache ◽  
Tomás Serebrisky

This paper argues that, while most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have managed to significantly improve the short-term efficiency of their infrastructure services since the widespread liberalization of the 1990s, they have been slow to ensure a fair distribution of the gains. They have also been slow in making the investments needed to ensure the prospects of future generations, including by protecting the environment for the long term. The paper places at least part of the blame on regulatory failures. It also shows how past mistakes can be corrected by the significant sectoral transformations, driven by new technologies, now underway. Digitalization is altering the economic characteristics of infrastructure services. Resulting changes in governance and financing options demand adjustments to economic regulations, including by broadening the regulatory toolkit to integrate new insights offered by developments in behavioral economics.


1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (02) ◽  
pp. 255-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria A. Coe ◽  
David Banta

AbstractThe greatest problem concerning health care technology for developing countries is that they are dependent upon the industrialized world for technology. The only short-term solution to this problem is to improve the choices that are available to them. This goal will require changes in the structure and processes of policy making. A particular difficulty for these countries is the lack of trained personnel in fields related to technology assessment.


Author(s):  
María Celeste Savignano ◽  
Graciela Kondratiuk ◽  
María de las Mercedes Martínez ◽  
Pablo Lechuga ◽  
Florencia Ugo ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document