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Good Intentions?: A Consideration Of Short-Term, Medical Mission Trips, Kayla M. Steele
Good Intentions?: A Consideration Of Short-Term, Medical Mission Trips, Kayla M. Steele
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
I review the current trend of international volunteer travel with a focus on advantages and disadvantages of short-term (1-2 week) medical volunteer trips and how cross-cultural communication can influence the effectiveness of volunteers. Advantages include making health care available to populations who normally do not have access to care. Disadvantages to trips include a lack of follow-up care and community dependence on outside aid. To increase the effectiveness of these trips, it is recommended that volunteers coordinate with full-time health care workers in target communities and utilize pre-departure training.