Medical mission trip during the gap year?

[Shejeboshease]

i was just wondering if anyone is doing any medical mission anywhere in the US or outside of the US? there is a lot of websites out there, but not sure if they are all helpful in gaining relevant medical experiences. i'm looking for some sort of medical trip which i can complete within a couple of months?
thanks

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[DropkickMurphy]

i was just wondering if anyone is doing any medical mission anywhere in the US or outside of the US? there is a lot of websites out there, but not sure if they are all helpful in gaining relevant medical experiences. i'm looking for some sort of medical trip which i can complete within a couple of months?
thanks

"Relevant medical experiences".....don't make me laugh. You're a premed with no usable skills (if you're like 99% of the premeds who bring this up). Don't waste your money......the money you spend on airfare alone is better donated to a charity in the country you would go to where it can fund actual healthcare professionals doing something that will be more valuable than you holding a DAB for a photo op.

 

[Shejeboshease]

"Relevant medical experiences".....don't make me laugh. You're a premed with no usable skills (if you're like 99% of the premeds who bring this up). Don't waste your money......the money you spend on airfare alone is better donated to a charity in the country you would go to where it can fund actual healthcare professionals doing something that will be more valuable than you holding a DAB for a photo op.

ouch!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

ouch!

I was being nice about it

 

[Bacchus]

I'd have to say unless you're going with experience or physicians there is no point. I have a friend that did the Chiapas project in Mexico and he basically got to extract teeth but I only think because he had EMT training (I know there isn't a coorelation and if I'm missing it DKM will tell me). You'd be better off doing a relief effort for a hurricane or other natural disaster where it will change your life not because you feel horrible for the people but because you could help them.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

he basically got to extract teeth but I only think because he had EMT training

Last time I checked, we didn't teach them to do that in EMS......it's called poor oversight and a shoddy organization if they let him do that. 👍 The only correlation is that these organizations and programs are there to take the money from stupid, gullible premeds who think they will either save the world or guarantee themselves a "upper tier" slot by doing one of these.

 

[Bacchus]

By the EMT training I meant he had a form of medical training. There has been no trip in the past two years or so because of very little interest. He was overseen by physicians.

 

[musashi]

Well, I'm confused. I am an EMT and am planning on going to either Costa Rica or somewhere in Mexico for 2-3 months (out of my pocket) so that I can do some medical missionary work and try to become pretty fluent in Spanish. Everyone I've talked to (including a couple of adcoms) has told me this looks awesome on the application and really stands out. In this situation, is the all wise DKM correct? I'm going regardless of the answer, but am curious as to some other opinions. Other than paying for my room and board and maybe spanish lessons where is this wasted $$ you speak of?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

By the EMT training I meant he had a form of medical training. There has been no trip in the past two years or so because of very little interest. He was overseen by physicians.

So? Then theoretically, extrapolating based on education I should be allowed to do surgery so long as I've got a doc standing there......hmmmm. I've always wanted to resect a liver. *goes to Priceline.com and looks to see how much a ticket to Guadalajara would be*

 

[DropkickMurphy]

It would only stand out if tons of other people weren't doing it. I hope OldBearProfessor will chime in on this, but I think he's still away on a trip. Basically I've been told by numerous ADCOM members that it doesn't look any more "awesome" than any of the other pedantic short-lived activities premeds engage in. I would imagine the two you talked to probably were just being polite.

try to become pretty fluent in Spanish

You won't become anywhere near fluent. You might become something around conversant, but 3 months won't bestow fluency.

 

[Bacchus]

So? Then theoretically, extrapolating based on education I should be allowed to do surgery so long as I've got a doc standing there......hmmmm. I've always wanted to resect a liver. *goes to Priceline.com and looks to see how much a ticket to Guadalajara would be*

I'm not saying its right... do what you have to do. But I think that's the only reason he got to do what he did. I'd much rather return to hurricane land like I said before. Its more meaningful.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I'm not saying its right... do what you have to do. But I think that's the only reason he got to do what he did. I'd much rather return to hurricane land like I said before. Its more meaningful.

I agree. I would rather go down and teach healthcare professionals in the country. That's useful. A premed working in a clinic basically doing scut work or some other such crap is a waste of resources.

 

[musashi]

.

 

[littlealex]

i was just wondering if anyone is doing any medical mission anywhere in the US or outside of the US? there is a lot of websites out there, but not sure if they are all helpful in gaining relevant medical experiences. i'm looking for some sort of medical trip which i can complete within a couple of months?
thanks

I recall LizzyM saying that the Adcoms prefer if you don't goto a foreign country and do actual medical work since you have no formal training in medicine. It is almost irresponsible to go somewhere that would allow you to perform medical procedures.

However, to follow doctors and help out will probably be a great experience if doing medical missions are something you're interested in doing as a doctor.

btw. this means you decided to stay in the US and reapply! Congratulations! Definitely apply to some DO schools, and I think you will be well on your way to a great residency match.

 

[superfan56]

why does it have to be specific to medicine? just go out and travel the world. i spent 2 months sleeping on a wooden floor of my aunt's convent after college after backpacking all of south east asia and got a chance to see the glorious third world and many doctors and such. That's relevant to some extent, but traveling was much more rewarding just being able to see so many different things.

 

[dally1025]

I spent 3 months in Ecuador working as an intern at a health clinic. I didn't save any lives or act as a majorly important part of the medical team but it was one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life. I learned a lot of medical Spanish (helpful since there's a growing population of native speakers in this country) and learned a lot about healthcare in the developing world. It wasn't too expensive ($2000 for the trip) and well worth the time! I worked during the week and traveled on the weekends. I was able to assist in minor surgeries and served as a nurse (the doctors actually do most of the work, I just took vitals and helped the doctor throughout the exam). If you haven't visited a developing nation, I strongly recommend it, whether you work in medicine or not. You'll learn more than you ever thought you would!

 

[hp540]

It wasn't a medical mission trip...but I had the opportunity to help out at a clinic and shadow docs in South America for a month. I can't see how that can be seen in a negative light given it was 60% observation and 40% help with simple stuff like sorting, packing, etc.

 

[ChiDoc27]

I have a question since a lot of people on here know these types of things haha. Next summer I'm going to Ghana to volunteer as an intern in a clinic there. I will be EMT trained, and they said that I could help with anything that my EMT lisence allows me to do. I am really excited to go since I will also be doing field research for my political science Senior Honors Thesis, and I don't understand how this can be viewed in a bad light. I'm not concerned if the adcoms don't notice it or care about it at all because that is certainly not the reason of the trip, but I really have a hard time believing it would be looked down upon. The trip won't be expensive (under $1000 including airfare) since I got an undergrad research grant from my institution to go. I'm really excited, and I am just wondering if anyone, (maybe DKM?) thinks that this is really a waste of time.

 

[musashi]

Not all the info you read on this forum is accurate. Just because someone else doesn't like it or thinks it's negative means that is really true. I am still going to go for a couple of months and help out as well. Moreover, just because someone has 1000's of post here doesn't mean they are the oracle of medical info. I agree with the last couple of posts. Adcoms will definitely not look at this as a negative thing.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Not all the info you read on this forum is accurate. Just because someone else doesn't like it or thinks it's negative means that is really true. I am still going to go for a couple of months and help out as well. Moreover, just because someone has 1000's of post here doesn't mean they are the oracle of medical info. I agree with the last couple of posts. Adcoms will definitely not look at this as a negative thing.

OK, just to be clear I meant to PM the kid who made the comment about wise and all knowing to get them to take that down since I find it a pointless and misguided comment. My number of posts has nothing to do with my knowledge. The fact I've traveled as a healthcare professional and have been doing healthcare longer than most of you have been out of elementary school should add a little weight to my advice, but under no circumstance should ANYONE's advice be taken at more than face value regardless of who they are or what position they hold.

It's probably not a negative thing (unless you're stupid enough to do and then admit to something wholely irresponsible and immature while abroad), but it certainly isn't going to be a huge plus to your application like people think it is. The negative aspect comes from it being a waste of money (on your part) and resources (on the part of the community you're going into, since they will be giving up space, food, etc to have a premed there) when someone with more training and experience could be there instead. If you really want to help people in foreign countries, admitting that your presence isn't going to do much to that end and then going about raising money to support the activities of those whose presence will make a difference is a far better sign of maturity and concern for others. THAT is what ADCOMs are looking for, but sadly most premeds miss that simply because they are grossly immature and only concerned with advancing their own careers.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

It wasn't a medical mission trip...but I had the opportunity to help out at a clinic and shadow docs in South America for a month. I can't see how that can be seen in a negative light given it was 60% observation and 40% help with simple stuff like sorting, packing, etc.

See the post immediately above this one......

 

[littlealex]

DkickMurphy is more than right. The adcoms on this board had voiced this concerns multiple times, that doing volunteer work in your community shows more caring and involvement than traveling abroad to do medical volunteer work. If you want to help people, you'll find that there are tons of people locally that desperately need help.


That being said, traveling is a ton of fun, and I personally traveled through 5 countries in Asia this summer for shxts and giggles. I just don't pretend that I'm doing this to help save the world. I do it because I want to have fun and have new experiences, and really not to help the third world countries at all.

 

[Despina]

Everyone I've talked to (including a couple of adcoms) has told me this looks awesome on the application and really stands out.

I think it's kind of sad if this looks any better than volunteering at home--not everyone can afford the $2000 to go on these trips. A bunch of my classmates went on these trips because they thought it "would look good on the application." I told someone, "Well, if you get that many more bonus points, then its a little unfair because some of us just cannot afford that. It's like buying your way into medical school. I have volunteer activities that I would continue to do whether or not I was applying to medical school...there domestic but their important to me." I think your commitement to an acitivity should weigh more than the location of the activity. I have a lot more to say, but I cannot think of a way to correctly or polietly express it, so I am going to hold my tongue.

 

[masterMood]

I think it's kind of sad if this looks any better than volunteering at home--not everyone can afford the $2000 to go on these trips. A bunch of my classmates went on these trips because they thought it "would look good on the application." I told someone, "Well, if you get that many more bonus points, then its a little unfair because some of us just cannot afford that. It's like buying your way into medical school. I have volunteer activities that I would continue to do whether or not I was applying to medical school...there domestic but their important to me." I think your commitement to an acitivity should weigh more than the location of the activity. I have a lot more to say, but I cannot think of a way to correctly or polietly express it, so I am going to hold my tongue.

Well the system naturally favors the rich over the poor. Those who go to better, more expensive undergrad schools for instance are going to have a leg up no matter how strong you are from a state school or whatnot. Such is the nature of capitalism (not that I condemn it hah)...

 

[capn jazz]

Well the system naturally favors the rich over the poor. Those who go to better, more expensive undergrad schools for instance are going to have a leg up no matter how strong you are from a state school or whatnot. Such is the nature of capitalism (not that I condemn it hah)...

Except the truly poor will likely get financial aid. The poor that can't afford expensive schools are those whose parents won't give them a dime, or upper middle class families who very well can afford it and don't qualify for financial aid, but don't want to pay.

 

[Jolie South]

Except the truly poor will likely get financial aid. The poor that can't afford expensive schools are those whose parents won't give them a dime, or upper middle class families who very well can afford it and don't qualify for financial aid, but don't want to pay.

welcome to my world.

 

[capn jazz]

welcome to my world.

which sucks but I hate when people say poor people can't go to $40,000 a year schools. I know a few people with my family's income or around there, and we get a lot of financial aid. It sucks for those who don't qualify and whose parents won't give them money, but poor people can go to expensive schools affordably.

 

[Jolie South]

yea, i can kiss goodbye any need based scholarships because my dad alone makes over six figures and won't give me squat. nevermind the fact that i'm married and independent and haven't relied on them for anything in years.

 

[capn jazz]

that sucks. were you dependent when you applied? You should definitely be classed as independent financially (and thus free of the influence of his icome), but the rules for claiming independence are weird.

 

[Jolie South]

that sucks. were you dependent when you applied? You should definitely be classed as independent financially (and thus free of the influence of his icome), but the rules for claiming independence are weird.

yes, in undegrad. however, now parental data is still a major consideration for school offered need based scholarships. 👎

 

[GreenShirt]

Put simply:
Will you save the world if you go on a medical mission trip? NO.
Will you be able to learn and preform medical procedures? NO (and it would be unethical anyway).
Will you learn about and experience a new culture? YES.
Will you gain new perspectives about health care in the world/in the US? YES.
Is traveling abroad the only way to get volunteer experience? NO.
Is it the only type of volunteer experience that looks good on an app? NO.

It's a cost/benefit analysis that you have to run through on your own. obviously, seeing the world broadens your horizons and understanding of humanity, but there's things you can do in the US that will give you similar experiences.

And if you do go abroad, whatever you do, don't approach it with a "I'm holier than thou/I'm going to save you" attitude. It's condescending and you're not doing anything but being voyeuristic. In most cases, they're actually doing you a favor by letting you stick your nose in their business so that you can put it on your application.