Anyone ever do a medical mission trip?

[johnniewalker11]

.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ami1983]

Have any of you guys/gals gone on a medical mission trip? I'm currently in the midst of my gap year and I'm going to Guatemala in November. Should be a really great experience with a lot of opportunities for hands on medicine.

Who else has done something similar?

no but i'm researching it right now- what organization are you going with? I have friends that went to Africa on medical mission trips, they were so sad to leave knowing that they won't be able to do any of the same things (deliver babies, help with surgery, etc) until their 3rd yr of medical school.

 

[johnniewalker11]

.

 

[brianmartin]

I speak passable spanish but not that great. Anyone have a good company to recommend? I don't know anybody personally that runs anything like this.

 

[patekpremed]

Global Medical Training does great trips to Latin America. www.gmtonline.org

The trips are a little expensive, but WONDERFUL learning experience. There are translators also that can be involved as little/much as needed. I recommend you check it out. The only downside is they are short (2 weeks max). I went on one this past summer and am planning on going on another next summer.

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

I'd love to go, but I can't afford 'em. 🙁

 

[nikkiMD19]

Hey... I volunteered this summer in Costa Rica with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC, www.fimrc.org) as part of their Global Health Volunteer Program. I basically worked in a pediatric clinic located in a tiny, underserved village about three miles outside of the capital. It was a great experience and working with FIMRC was awesome!!

It can be a a bit pricey because there's a required donation, plus travel costs. I raised most of the money for my trip by asking for donations... I made a website explaining the foundation and my purpose for the trip and emailed it to everyone i knew and ended up raising about $1500.

Since it was a primary care clinic in a very small town, I didn't get to do more than basic physical exams (that alone was fantastic, though!). However, FIMRC also has a project in Peru, which a friend of mine participated in, and he worked in hospitals and got to observe and help in various surgeries.

FIMRC is great, you should definitely check it out!

 

[TexasPhysician]

I did 2. Both were the best pre-med experiences I had. Med schools loved it!

 

[gujuDoc]

I've not done one though I want to do one. However, 2 organizations to lookat are Projectsabroad.org and www.cfhi.org

Also, Unite for Site is another opportunity for premeds wanting to medical mission trips.

 

[student1799]

I suppose there's nothing wrong with "medical mission" trips. But I'd have to think med schools would be a lot more impressed by a long-term, consistent history of service to your own community. (And it won't cost you a dime.)

 

[gujuDoc]

I suppose there's nothing wrong with "medical mission" trips. But I'd have to think med schools would be a lot more impressed by a long-term, consistent history of service to your own community. (And it won't cost you a dime.)

I think you bring a good point. I think a lot of people like these trips though for a different reason....they get to do more. They get to do more then the most menial tasks because less regulations are in place and a lot of people who seem to be doing such trips are not always people interested in overseas healthcare but people interesting in getting their hands dirty so to speak. i think that's why a lot of people are obssessed with such trips.

a guy recently told me he thinks he'll get into med school cuz he's done work in Africa and how many people do work in Africa according to him. LOL! A lot more people do med mission trips these days then one wants to acknowledge for it to be unique anymore.

 

[airplanes]

I suppose there's nothing wrong with "medical mission" trips. But I'd have to think med schools would be a lot more impressed by a long-term, consistent history of service to your own community. (And it won't cost you a dime.)

What's wrong with both? I went on a medical internship through CFHI last summer for 10 weeks in Mexico. I got great practical, hands on experience assisting and observing the physicians there. It was also a great opportunity to work on my Spanish...I went from passable to fluent. The trip was awesome because it helped reaffirm my desire and commitment to medicine. I've had a long consistent history of volunteering back home, but a "medical mission" trip can help you in so many ways that volunteering simply can't.

 

[MadEvans]

Have any of you guys/gals gone on a medical mission trip? I'm currently in the midst of my gap year and I'm going to South America in November. Should be a really great experience with a lot of opportunities for hands on medicine (assisting the docs and nurses during operations, suturing, and helping with triage). I want to make it clear for ethical reasons that I won't be performing operations of any kind, only doing what the docs and nurses tell me to do. This will probably include handing them tools, taking vitals, ect. I will also be able to experience a totally different culture, which I am really looking forward to. I believe the group organizing the trip is also planning to build a homes or a church during the trip.

Who else has done or will be doing something similar?

What you need:

At least a month
Someone who speaks the language (at least conversationally)
A map
Money for a plane ticket
Ability to surf the internet to find one of the MANY local companies in the foreign country that provide language classes, volunteer opportunities, and opportunities to work in clinics

What you don't need:

Tons of money (I stayed for a month in Peru for less the cost of rent in my home town)
A company that charges you a fortune and provides you with an itinerary

 

[teddybear]

I want to make it clear for ethical reasons that I won't be performing operations of any kind

You wouldn't be allowed to anyway. This trip will change your life forever. You should be excited.

 

[gujuDoc]

Really not that many, at least judging from my class. There are maybe a handful out of 180 students. I'm not sure what I think of these mission trips but it's definitely still a pretty unique experience. If you think otherwise I think you're getting a little jaded due to the population that frequents SDN.

Nah more like the people I knew here at USF. It seems like a ton of people I know at USF have done these sort of trips and so it isn't really anything super unique anymore. Maybe in your 1 class it is a handful, but there were quite a few in each of the last few years of matriculants at USF. Especially almost every nontraditional student I met has done one of these trips. That's why I don't think it is anything unique. Living in Fl. a lot of people do these trips both before and after med school cuz a lot of people are also in an area where they are often exposed to people from these carribean countries and south american/latin american countries. It has gotten to the point where people think its going to make such a huge deal, but for the most part is just one EC and not as big of a deal as some make it out to be. That's what I've seen in real life more then SDN.

That's why I don't think its so uber unique anymore. Maybe not everyone is doing it but a lot more people are doing it then before for it not to be any more unique then volunteering in a hospital. Its just another experience. Also, most people who do these trips only do one or 2 of them rather then consistently showing a dedication to working with the underserved nations or even underserved in our own country. I find it odd that a lot of these people don't often want to do much with the underserved areas here but often will go out of the country to work with the underserved.

The is a reason why some call this volunteer tourism.

Not to say its bad and I don't discourage people from going. I just think its not as unique as people like to be believe it to be anymore.

 

[rockydoc]

I went on a medical missions trip as well and it was by far the most influential EC in my life (not just relating to medicine, pertaining to personal growth as well). It is true that one can just as easily work in some severely underserved areas in their own city here and have similar experiences and impacts on people, but I dont think that makes medical missions trips overrated in anyway. It is really just a difference in where you are interested in serving. Either way, it is still service and medical schools are looking for people with a heart for service to humankind. I really dont think they care a whole lot about the particular service in which you partake. And there are some added features to working overseas, such as total cultural immersion, that you cant quite match working here in the U.S.

As a side note, people have mentioned costs. I dont know where everyone is coming from, but I am a church-goer and I raised all of my money via support from members in my church and people I know. I even had enough left over money which I could then give to struggling service programs in Peru.

Basically, if you are interested in serving overseas, then do it. I personally plan on taking several short-term trips overseas throughout my medical career, so this is something that I went ahead and did. *Doesnt mean that people like me are ignoring the needs that are evident in our own country however*

 

[dally1025]

I have worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina (3 weeks), Quito, Ecuador (2 months), and Reynosa, Mexico (spring break). I also spent a month traveling in Bolivia and found things in La Paz to be similar to Quito. On my first trip, I went through a program (ELI, the cheapest, program fee $850) but once I got there I realized you could just choose a program once you're there. It is incredibly easy to find volunteering agencies once down there that do not charge outrageous programming fees (if they do charge, it will be much less and the money actually stays in the country). So, my advice is to buy a ticket, fly down, and figure it out once your there (you can easily set up something and start that same day or the next). Most of the local companies/organizations do not have websites and if they do, they're in Spanish. Even if you do a search, you probably won't find 1/3 of what's available. You have to remember, these countries are developing...

If you don't speak much Spanish, most people in the agencies speak English (most people in Buenos Aires speak English very well, Ecuador is a toss up). Most of the guidebooks (I highly recommend Lonely Planet) will tell you how to get to the touristy/travel agency part of town and you can easily find countless offices there. Many hostels have their own agencies and can hook you up without even leaving the place. It's not something that's incredibly unique among applicants but it's an amazing experience!

South America is incredible! However, it's best not to plan much until you're actually there (you'll save sooooo much money)! Just hopping on a plane without any plans sounds crazy but really, it's safe (just don't act like a dumb&$$ and walk through dark alleys alone at 4AM in the morning), cheap, and more beneficial to the country. If you want to try planning out something ahead of time, I know a few organizations in Argentina, Quito, and Reynosa~just PM me.

I'm heading back for 4-5 months before med school starts to travel, maybe teach a little English, and spend as much time in a hammock as possible.

 

[MsKrispyKreme]

As a side note, people have mentioned costs. I dont know where everyone is coming from, but I am a church-goer and I raised all of my money via support from members in my church and people I know. I even had enough left over money which I could then give to struggling service programs in Peru.

1. Not everyone goes to churches which have affluent or even middle-class members who can afford to donate that much.

2. In addition to the costs of the trip itself, there is also the expense of having to take off of work (no paycheck) but still pay rent for a place that will not be lived in for several weeks.

Just another perspective. 🙂

 

[rockydoc]

1. Not everyone goes to churches which have affluent or even middle-class members who can afford to donate that much.

2. In addition to the costs of the trip itself, there is also the expense of having to take off of work (no paycheck) but still pay rent for a place that will not be lived in for several weeks.

Just another perspective. 🙂

1. actually, you would be surprised that I received the majority of my support from a not so well-to-do family that just simply had a heart for service and was very charitable....but overrall, yes this will not work for everyone, that is why I mentioned that "i dont know where everyone is coming from" My point here was really that some people (who may be in a close-knit church like mine) havent thought about simply asking for support. Of course appropriate thankyous and follow-up reports were conducted when I returned.

2. true as well, but i am a student (who was on summer break) so that wasnt an issue. That is actually why I specifically tried to take opportunities such as this while I still can and dont have a family, house, job, etc to worry about. I realize many people arent still in that situation, but for those students who are interested, think about doin this stuff while you still can.

Basically, you are right, it wont work for everyone so if it doesnt work then look for other opportunities.....but if you are very interested in it, and are capable, then go for it, b/c its a great experience

 

[dally1025]

1. Not everyone goes to churches which have affluent or even middle-class members who can afford to donate that much.

2. In addition to the costs of the trip itself, there is also the expense of having to take off of work (no paycheck) but still pay rent for a place that will not be lived in for several weeks.

Just another perspective. 🙂

Anyone can afford it (perhaps not to all world locations but at least within S America) it's just a matter of priority. I make under 25K/year and I managed to save up enough money for 2 international flights (one had to be cancelled and wasn't refunded, don't ask, I'm still pissed) last year.

If your destination is one of the Andean S. American countries it's especially cheap. I spent only slightly more (maybe $50/week) than I normally do living here (when you factor in food, gas, etc) but I was doing and seeing SOOOOO much more. I left for Bolivia with $600 to spend for a month and came back with $100. I stayed at good hostels, ate well (both at the cheaper native restaurants and more expensive gringo ones), spent 6 days in the jungle, took a national flight, and came home with so many souvenirs I had to buy a bag to carry them back into the US (I think I spent $100 on souvenirs alone). Had I gone to volunteer, I would not have spent nearly that much as you can live nicely on less than $10/day ($5 if you want to cook yourself or eat only at native restaurants). I am fortunate enough to have paid vacation days so that helps but including flights I spent about $1400 and could have easily done it on less.

 

[JokerMD]

i did go on a international service mission but it was not medically related. honestly, your experience doesn't have to be medically related for you to have a good experience. In fact, from the research I did before I went on my trip, the medically related trips are the ones that charge large fees.

here are some reasons why it is actually in your interest NOT to do medically related missions (unless you really find a gem):
1) no matter what kind of certification you have, you shouldn't be treating patients. ISL is a program that boasts this, however there is a certified physician supervising you all the time......so what is the point of you being there? Really, the physician could make far more accurate diagnosis and do it much faster. So whether you like it or not, you are actually not helping much.

2) doing international service should be inspired by a real interest in helping people who have little help, so even if you are teaching or doing simple manual work, it is your desire to help that should really motivate you.

3) you can easily get clinical exposure here in the states, so why spend all that money for something you can get for free??

if I were you, I would highly recommend searching NGO's and find one that does work YOU would be interested. if you want to work in a clinic, im sure there exists an organization where you can provide help that is desperately needed (work you could again do here, but if you REALLY wanna serve in another country)

as an aside (and I do not see this as a negative) if you have the cash and wanna pad your app, then do ISL or whatever. It WILL help your application. but if you really wanna make a difference, don't limit yourself to clinics etc.

 

[gujuDoc]

i did go on a international service mission but it was not medically related. honestly, your experience doesn't have to be medically related for you to have a good experience. In fact, from the research I did before I went on my trip, the medically related trips are the ones that charge large fees.

here are some reasons why it is actually in your interest NOT to do medically related missions (unless you really find a gem):
1) no matter what kind of certification you have, you shouldn't be treating patients. ISL is a program that boasts this, however there is a certified physician supervising you all the time......so what is the point of you being there? Really, the physician could make far more accurate diagnosis and do it much faster. So whether you like it or not, you are actually not helping much.

2) doing international service should be inspired by a real interest in helping people who have little help, so even if you are teaching or doing simple manual work, it is your desire to help that should really motivate you.

3) you can easily get clinical exposure here in the states, so why spend all that money for something you can get for free??

if I were you, I would highly recommend searching NGO's and find one that does work YOU would be interested. if you want to work in a clinic, im sure there exists an organization where you can provide help that is desperately needed (work you could again do here, but if you REALLY wanna serve in another country)

as an aside (and I do not see this as a negative) if you have the cash and wanna pad your app, then do ISL or whatever. It WILL help your application. but if you really wanna make a difference, don't limit yourself to clinics etc.

This is a good post. I mean one could always go and teach English or do something that is more useful if one really wants to do such a trip. A friend of mine used to work with a medical mission trip organization but she didn't do it for a chance to get her hands dirty. she was actually involved in the communications sector of the organization and that is when she saw the need for help there and got inspired to go into medicine. Her father helped the business portion of the organization i.e. raising money for its cause. but it was the doctors that did the work. I met a guy today also who told me he spent 18 months in a foreign developing nation with a medical mission trip but it was like he was there for well over a year not just a 2 week feel good trip. Furthermore, he got so good where he learned the language and was acting as a translator.

I think these are the kinds of examples where such trips really mean anything. I hate listening to obnoxious premeds round my school who start boasting about their trip just because they didsome hands on stuff without ceritification which would be illegal in this country. I have more respect for the medical assistants, nurses, patient care technicians, etc. who are certified in this country and doing those same things in a more legal and long term fashion. Those are the people that should be going on these trips because they are trained and certified to do such.