How to run an ethical volunteer trip

[equineconstant]

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There's a lot of controversy about volunteer medical (and vet medical) trips. I read through the old thread about VIDA trips, and the current featured article is "Medical Missions: What makes us think we're qualified?" I'm seeing a lot of ways volunteer trips like those can go wrong, so I want to get some people's ideas of how to do it right.

One thing that should be noted (as on the VIDA thread) is that qualified medical personnel need to be performing surgery rather than supervising students doing surgery. Got it! 👍 But what else means that the volunteer program is actually doing good?

 

[nyanko]

Personally, I've always been more of a fan of the type of programs that focus on educating and training local personnel to do things, rather than just visiting an area, doing a bunch of things, then leaving. The old "give a man a fish, etc" adage.

 

[SnowyRox]

VIDA actually changed their policies recently so only veterinary students (or veterinarians) can do surgeries. Same as in the USA.

 

[PetPony]

VIDA actually changed their policies recently so only veterinary students (or veterinarians) can do surgeries. Same as in the USA.

I liked that!

While I thought it would have been cool to go on a trip and get to do a surgery, I also know that it wouldn't be a responsible thing to do and that I wouldn't actually feel comfortable to do one myself, so I think it's a good change.

 

[equineconstant]

Personally, I've always been more of a fan of the type of programs that focus on educating and training local personnel to do things, rather than just visiting an area, doing a bunch of things, then leaving. The old "give a man a fish, etc" adage.

Do you know of any good programs like that?

VIDA actually changed their policies recently so only veterinary students (or veterinarians) can do surgeries. Same as in the USA.

Good to know! It was an old thread I was reading. Glad to know that changed!

 

[twelvetigers]

Yep, no more surgeries for volunteers. But it's still way cooler than what the pre-med kids get to do all day (pap smears, anyone?) so yeah. They also were approved for their 501(c) and are a recognized non-profit organization. So that's a plus!

 

[LetItSnow]

One thing that should be noted (as on the VIDA thread) is that qualified medical personnel need to be performing surgery rather than supervising students doing surgery. Got it! 👍 But what else means that the volunteer program is actually doing good?

I didn't see the thread you're talking about, but .... I dunno .... I got a great head start on next year's surgery class by doing RAVS this summer (after my first year of vet school). I had already done a couple spays/neuters during the school year through a few different opportunities, but for whatever reason the RAVS opportunity really let me take the next step up in comfort/capability. I don't see that having me doing the procedure put the animal at any more risk since there was a teaching vet standing right there on the other side of the table with her eyes glued to the surgical site the entire time.

To nyanko's point, I think that depends on where you value "experience for the care-giver" vs "benefit to the receiving community". If you want a balance, training the local people may not be as useful. If you want to focus entirely on benefit to the community .... yeah, nyanko's right.

 

[twelvetigers]

I didn't see the thread you're talking about, but .... I dunno .... I got a great head start on next year's surgery class by doing RAVS this summer (after my first year of vet school). I had already done a couple spays/neuters during the school year through a few different opportunities, but for whatever reason the RAVS opportunity really let me take the next step up in comfort/capability. I don't see that having me doing the procedure put the animal at any more risk since there was a teaching vet standing right there on the other side of the table with her eyes glued to the surgical site the entire time.

To nyanko's point, I think that depends on where you value "experience for the care-giver" vs "benefit to the receiving community". If you want a balance, training the local people may not be as useful. If you want to focus entirely on benefit to the community .... yeah, nyanko's right.

VIDA used to let pre-vet students do surgeries as well - that's what the big stink about it was. They don't now.

I was one of the people who DID do the surgeries though, and they went about how you describe yours - with a vet staring you down the whole time, watching what you do and stepping in here and there to help.

But yeah, that first year of anatomy surely made a big difference - at least that's the idea.

Anyway, moot point now - VIDa is a good org if you want to leave the country, but RAVS is right in your backyard and much cheaper, so certainly look into both!

 

[LetItSnow]

VIDA used to let pre-vet students do surgeries as well - that's what the big stink about it was. They don't now.

Oh. My bad, I didn't realize that the OP meant pre-vet students... it just said 'students', and I interpreted that as including vet students. Oops!!

 

[david594]

Honestly, I got much more DVM supervision during my RAVS trip than I did during my junior surgery class.

 

[equineconstant]

Oh. My bad, I didn't realize that the OP meant pre-vet students... it just said 'students', and I interpreted that as including vet students. Oops!!

Sorry, I was taking context from the old thread. I'm not actually planning to do one as a pre-vet (hopefully I'll be accepted to vet school this cycle, anyway!), I was just seeing so much about what's wrong with such programs and I wanted to hear people's opinions on what a program like that should be.

 

[twelvetigers]

I think once the pre-vet surgery is off the table, everything else is mostly okay with everyone. 🙂

 

[Karadyan]

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and African Conservation Experience are great organisations to go with if you are looking to do some stuff in Africa. ACE has vet specific programs however I thinking that it is going to be vet dependent on how much hands on experience you get, I know that one of the vets while he is amazing is a bit more cautious with students who are earlier in their vet career.

HESC is less vet orientated but more conservation orientated.

Just a thought for some of you who are interested

 

[RadRadTerp]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.theonion.com/articles/my-year-volunteering-as-a-teacher-helped-educate-a,28803/

 

[equineconstant]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.theonion.com/articles/my-year-volunteering-as-a-teacher-helped-educate-a,28803/

I'm seeing a lot of ways volunteer trips like those can go wrong, so I want to get some people's ideas of how to do it right.

😕

 

[RadRadTerp]

😕

joke...

 

[bunnity]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.theonion.com/articles/my-year-volunteering-as-a-teacher-helped-educate-a,28803/

 

[CanHardlyWait]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.theonion.com/articles/my-year-volunteering-as-a-teacher-helped-educate-a,28803/

love this!

 

[Spinach Dip]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.theonion.com/articles/my-year-volunteering-as-a-teacher-helped-educate-a,28803/

 

[missyscove]

I went on a spring break trip with World Vets and really enjoyed it. Pre-vet students could help out with instrument cleaning, prepping for surgery (some learned catheter placement) and recovery. I was in recovery myself where we monitored the animals while they woke up, put together prescriptions to go home with them and gave them several injections. I felt I received adequate training in my portion and all the vets I went with were really professional.