Humanitarian work?

[darmalee]

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How hard is if for doctors working in a hospital setting to be able to take some time away from the hospital to do humanitarian work? Is it something that would be possible on a regular basis, like yearly? Just a curiousity I had. It's something I would be extremely interested in doing, and just wanted to know if it would even be possible.

 

[NTF]

How hard is if for doctors working in a hospital setting to be able to take some time away from the hospital to do humanitarian work? Is it something that would be possible on a regular basis, like yearly? Just a curiousity I had. It's something I would be extremely interested in doing, and just wanted to know if it would even be possible.

Check out Doctor's Without Borders.

 

[darmalee]

Check out Doctor's Without Borders.

I looked at that, but I couldn't figure out if that was a full time sort of thing, or if it was something where you put yourself as available to be called away from your normal doctor job when needed. Anyone know?

 

[BambiMD]

I am by no means an expert on this area--but to throw in my two cents...

I think it can be difficult, but as long as you are committed, you can make it happen. I know of several doctors (who work at religiously-affiliated hospitals) who go yearly to foreign countries to serve the poor; they have funding for such trips. [I actually know some volunteers who went on a medical mission trips to Peru and Haiti through Mercy Hospital in Baltimore; they had amazing experiences.] Opportunities do exist, but you have to search them out. If they don't exist, you can try to search out funding to start your own trips.

Also, there are a lot of opportunities locally for serving the poor (Medical Outreach Vans, free clinics). It's not as 'glamorous' as traveling to a foreign country, but there is a need. If you are not able to go yearly on foreign missions, it would be a good way to supplement your outreach to underserved populations in "off years."

 

[sindadel]

Here are the basic requirements for joining MSF in the field.

• At least 2 years of professional experience
  For physicians, completion of residency.
• Physicians: Availability for a minimum of 6 months
  With the exception of surgeons and anesthesiologists, who may be accepted for shorter assignments.
• All other professions: Availability for a minimum of 6 to 12 months, with preference for those available for 9 to 12 months
• No recent gap in clinical experience greater than 2 years
• Language skills are considered a major asset
• Relevant travel or work outside the United States
• Flexibility

from http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/work/field/recruitment.cfm