When Helping Is Risky: The Behavioral and Neurobiological Trade-off of Social and Risk Preferences

Helping other people can entail risks for the helper. For example, when treating infectious patients, medical volunteers risk their own health. In such situations, decisions to help should depend on the individual’s valuation of others’ well-being (social preferences) and the degree of personal risk the individual finds acceptable (risk preferences). We investigated how these distinct preferences are psychologically and neurobiologically integrated when helping is risky. We used incentivized decision-making tasks (Study 1; N = 292 adults) and manipulated dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain by administering methylphenidate, atomoxetine, or a placebo (Study 2; N = 154 adults). We found that social and risk preferences are independent drivers of risky helping. Methylphenidate increased risky helping by selectively altering risk preferences rather than social preferences. Atomoxetine influenced neither risk preferences nor social preferences and did not affect risky helping. This suggests that methylphenidate-altered dopamine concentrations affect helping decisions that entail a risk to the helper.

Aspects of modern volunteer training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) measures can be performed by any trained person in an out-of-hospital setting. The 2020 American Heart Association recommendations simplify the algorithm for non-medical volunteers: to start CPR at the scene, it’s enough to register agonal breathing, and CPR itself can be performed in compression-only mode. These features should be taken into account when teaching volunteers the basics of CPR.

A Malaysian medical non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) experience in the emergency response for COVID-19 using the ‘whole-of-society collaborative’ concept

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are one of the important players during a pandemic, including the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia (IMAM) Response and Relief Team (IMARET). During COVID-19, IMARET played a key role in assisting health relief efforts in Malaysia. We are sharing this experience as a medical NGO’s response to the pandemic. This report presents data from the 18th of March to the 10th of June 2020 retrieved from IMARET’s database with approval from the Executive Committee (EXCO) and the IMARET COVID-19 Task Force. We report IMARET’s task force consists of 30 people, mostly medical doctors. Aids distributed included Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) with other medical equipment such as portable ultrasounds and ventilators. IMARET engaged with 33 collaborators and 92 partners and funders. There were 135 volunteers, majority of them being medical volunteers. IMARET raised more than RM 3 million (USD 740,000) garnering support from over 40,000 donors in 85 days. In conclusion, NGOs play a significant role that effectively enhance and complement the consolidated works by the authorities and public in the effort to overcome COVID-19 challenges.

Medical volunteering is a calling to help

With the aim of reviving the traditions of mercy and providing assistance to practical health care, a volunteer movement “Volunteers-doctors” was created in 2013, which in 2016 received the official status of an All-Russian public organization.The volunteer movement of students of the St. Petersburg Medical College — structural unit of Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University (PGUPS) is considered. The activity of medical volunteers is analyzed, their active participation in charitable actions and events is shown. The results of a survey of medical students to identify attitudes towards volunteering are given: what motivates volunteers in their desire to work for free; to what extent young people are informed about the activities of volunteer organizations and are they ready to volunteer themselves. The importance of the volunteer movement in the training of future specialists in the field of medicine is determined.The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that it made it possible to identify potential volunteers wishing to engage in volunteer work among students studying at the medical college of PGUPS. In the course of the questionnaire survey, it became clear that students in general perceive volunteering positively, therefore it is necessary to develop systematic work with young people in this direction, primarily informational.

Experiences and impact of international medical volunteering: a multi-country mixed methods study

ObjectiveTo assess the experience and impact of medical volunteers who facilitated training workshops for healthcare providers in maternal and newborn emergency care in 13 countries.SettingsBangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, UK and Zimbabwe.ParticipantsMedical volunteers from the UK (n=162) and from low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) (n=138).Outcome measuresExpectations, experience, views, personal and professional impact of the experience of volunteering on medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC.ResultsUK-based medical volunteers (n=38) were interviewed using focus group discussions (n=12) and key informant interviews (n=26). 262 volunteers (UK-based n=124 (47.3%), and LMIC-based n=138 (52.7%)) responded to the online survey (62% response rate), covering 506 volunteering episodes. UK-based medical volunteers were motivated by altruism, and perceived volunteering as a valuable opportunity to develop their skills in leadership, teaching and communication, skills reported to be transferable to their home workplace. Medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC (n=244) reported increased confidence (98%, n=239); improved teamwork (95%, n=232); strengthened leadership skills (90%, n=220); and reported that volunteering had a positive impact for the host country (96%, n=234) and healthcare providers trained (99%, n=241); formed sustainable partnerships (97%, n=237); promoted multidisciplinary team working (98%, n=239); and was a good use of resources (98%, n=239). Medical volunteers based in LMIC reported higher satisfaction scores than those from the UK with regards to impact on personal and professional development.ConclusionHealthcare providers from the UK and LMIC are highly motivated to volunteer to increase local healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills in low-resource settings. Further research is necessary to understand the experiences of local partners and communities regarding how the impact of international medical volunteering can be mutually beneficial and sustainable with measurable outcomes.

Healthcare providers’ and managers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions regarding international medical volunteering in Uganda: a qualitative study

ObjectivesThe study sought to explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare providers and health programme managers regarding the benefits, challenges and impact of international medical volunteers’ clinical placements. Views on how to better improve the work of international medical volunteers and the volunteer organisation Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) for the benefit of local communities were also explored.SettingsPublic healthcare facilities, VSO offices in Gulu and VSO offices in Kampala, Uganda.ParticipantsUgandan healthcare providers (n=11) and health programme managers (n=6) who had worked with or managed international medical volunteers.InterventionsData collection was conducted using key informant interviews. Transcribed interviews were coded by topic and grouped into categories. Thematic framework analysis using NVivo identified emerging themes.ResultsBoth healthcare providers and managers reported a beneficial impact of volunteers and working with the volunteer organisation (clinical service provision, multidisciplinary teamwork, patient-centred care, implementation of audits, improved quality of care, clinical teaching and mentoring for local healthcare providers); identified challenges of working with volunteers (language barriers and unrealistic expectations) and the organisation (lack of clear communication and feedback processes); and provided recommendations to improve volunteer placements and working partnership with the organisation (more local stakeholder input and longer placements). Most healthcare providers were positive and recommended that volunteers are enabled to continue to work in such settings if resources are available to do so.ConclusionsHealthcare providers based in a low-resource setting report positive experiences and impacts of working with international medical volunteers. Currently, there is lack of local feedback processes, and the establishment of such processes that consider local stakeholder reflections requires further strengthening. These would help gain a better understanding of what is needed to ensure optimal effectiveness and sustainable impact of international medical volunteer placements.