No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose within the past 24 months.
Medical mission trips have long provided opportunities for healthcare professionals to impact the lives of people across the world. As providers, we can feel called to participate. Before signing on for a trip, it is important to understand how to provide excellent care, while also respecting the land and people you are visiting. In this session, we will explore the history of medical mission trips, including the potentially uncomfortable discussion of medical voluntourism and the intersection with medical mission trips. Current research on ethical frameworks for medical missions will be reviewed and discussed. Finally, we will provide resources for PAs who are interested in finding their travel family.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:
Summarize the history of medical mission trips, including the role of the PA
Examine the intersection of medical mission trips and voluntourism
Describe the logistics and impact of medical mission trips
Review available resources for finding mission trips that align with personal values