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International short-term medical missions: a systematic review of recommended practices

Author

Listed:
  • Stephanie D. Roche

    (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center)

  • Pavinarmatha Ketheeswaran

    (Florida International University)

  • Veronika J. Wirtz

    (Boston University School of Public Health)

Abstract

Objectives To identify practices for conducting international short-term medical missions (STMMs) recommended in the literature and examine how these link STMMs to recipient countries’ existing health systems. Methods Systematic review of PubMed-indexed articles on STMMs and their bibliographies using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Recommendations were organized using the World Health Organization Health Systems Framework. Results In 92 publications, 67 % offered at least one recommendation that would link STMMs to the recipient country’s health system. Among these recommendations, most focused on service delivery and few on health financing and governance. There is a lack of consensus around a proper standard of care, patient selection, and trip duration. Conclusions Comprehensive global standards are needed for STMM work to ensure that services are beneficial both to patients and to the broader healthcare systems of recipient countries. By providing an overview of the current recommendations and important gaps where practice recommendations are needed, this study can provide relevant input into the development of global standards for STMMs.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie D. Roche & Pavinarmatha Ketheeswaran & Veronika J. Wirtz, 2017. "International short-term medical missions: a systematic review of recommended practices," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(1), pages 31-42, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:62:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s00038-016-0889-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-016-0889-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sykes, K.J., 2014. "Short-term medical service trips: A systematic review of the evidence," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(7), pages 38-48.
    2. Kaigang Li & Noy Kay & Nattiporn Nokkaew, 2009. "The Performance of the World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-BREF in Assessing the Quality of Life of Thai College Students," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 90(3), pages 489-501, February.
    3. Berry, Nicole S., 2014. "Did we do good? NGOs, conflicts of interest and the evaluation of short-term medical missions in Sololá, Guatemala," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 344-351.
    4. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
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