Short-Term International Medical Volunteerism in Higuey, Dominican Republic: A Student's Perspective

Short-term medical missions provide students with the opportunity to aid physicians in the treatment of patients with severely limited access to care. They also provide ample opportunities for students to learn about differences between healthcare in the US and global healthcare. In the town of Higuey, Dominican Republic, wealth and access to healthcare are minimal. I participated in a medical mission to Higuey with the nonprofit medical group Guardians of Healing. I saw firsthand the value of medical missions. The Guardians of Healing ran a clinic and performed surgical procedures in cooperation with a regional hospital. Community members were invited to receive free medical care at the clinic through word-of-mouth and the distribution of fliers throughout the town. Management of immediate medical concerns was a critical aspect of the mission. The majority of surgical cases seen were cholecystectomies and hernia repairs. Other cases included adult circumcision and removal of a trichilemmal cyst. Common clinical complaints included fever, lethargy, and hypertension. In treating these patients, cultural sensitivity was essential, as was the full sharing of care objectives. Coordination and cooperation with the regional and national governments were crucial to the successes of these endeavors. Everyone involved appeared to benefit from this medical mission, whether through the receipt of direct medical care or through the ability to help others while learning about different cultures and healthcare environments. This experience allowed me to compare medical care, customs, and cultural trends between the US and the Dominican Republic. Abstract Short-term medical missions provide students with the opportunity to aid physicians in the treatment of patients with severely limited access to care. They also provide ample opportunities for students to learn about differences between healthcare in the US and global healthcare. In the town of Higuey, Dominican Republic, wealth and access to healthcare are minimal. I participated in a medical mission to Higuey with the nonprofit medical group Guardians of Healing. I saw firsthand the value of medical missions. The Guardians of Healing ran a clinic and performed surgical procedures in cooperation with a regional hospital. Community members were invited to receive free medical care at the clinic through word-of-mouth and the distribution of fliers throughout the town. Management of immediate medical concerns was a critical aspect of the mission. The majority of surgical cases seen were cholecystectomies and hernia repairs. Other cases included adult circumcision and removal of a trichilemmal cyst. Common clinical complaints included fever, lethargy, and hypertension. In treating these patients, cultural sensitivity was essential, as was the full sharing of care objectives. Coordination and cooperation with the regional and national governments were crucial to the successes of these endeavors. Everyone involved appeared to benefit from this medical mission, whether through the receipt of direct medical care or through the ability to help others while learning about different cultures and healthcare environments. This experience allowed me to compare medical care, customs, and cultural trends between the US and the Dominican Republic. Abstract Short-term medical missions provide students with the opportunity to aid physicians in the treatment of patients with severely limited access to care. They also provide ample opportunities for students to learn about differences between healthcare in the US and global healthcare. In the town of Higuey, Dominican Republic, wealth and access to healthcare are minimal. I participated in a medical mission to Higuey with the nonprofit medical group Guardians of Healing. I saw firsthand the value of medical missions. The Guardians of Healing ran a clinic and performed surgical procedures in cooperation with a regional hospital. Community members were invited to receive free medical care at the clinic through word-of-mouth and the distribution of fliers throughout the town. Management of immediate medical concerns was a critical aspect of the mission. The majority of surgical cases seen were cholecystectomies and hernia repairs. Other cases included adult circumcision and removal of a trichilemmal cyst. Common clinical complaints included fever, lethargy, and hypertension. In treating these patients, cultural sensitivity was essential, as was the full sharing of care objectives. Coordination and cooperation with the regional and national governments were crucial to the successes of these endeavors. Everyone involved appeared to benefit from this medical mission, whether through the receipt of direct medical care or through the ability to help others while learning about different cultures and healthcare environments. This experience allowed me to compare medical care, customs, and cultural trends between the US and the Dominican Republic.