Resources

Short-term medical missions often destroy community confidence in the local health system. Working through true case presentations we demonstrate how medical mission teams can cause harm in communities. These case presentations also show how the local medical community can be negatively impacted by mission teams. We then work through medical mission strategies that aid and support local health providers.

Medical missionaries will find their resources to help others limited in nearly every realm of their work-time, skills, financial, emotional, equipment and spiritual to name a few. We know what care is available to patients and come skilled to provide it. But many times we are unable to provide it due to limitations of many kinds on the field. How does one decide what care to provide and whom to provide it to? This talk will discuss the conflicts the medical missionary finds on the mission field as they serve to provide health care in less than optimal circumstances. Using Jesus healing ministry as an example, guidelines will be provided on how to effectively serve Christ in situations where care cannot be given to all as the medical missionary would like. A foundation in decision making and practical guidelines w!ill be discussed to assist the front line missionary with these problems on the field.

Spiritual Survival Tips for Short-Term Medical Missions Team

Historically, the practice of medicine in the mission setting has been stereotyped as involving a single doctor involved in direct patient care from dawn until dusk, caring for a myriad of different conditions. Little attention was given, in many situations, to the academic pursuits of teaching and research. This workshop will strive, in an interactive fashion, to discuss the merits of adjusting our paradigm of missions medicine to involve the pursuits of training of national staff and developing local programs of medical research (along with spiritual discipleship) which will allow for long-term change to be realized in the pursuit of providing quality, sustainable medical care in a Christ-like fashion.

A basic overview of the human trafficking situation and the health consequences of human trafficking will be provided. Many opportunities already exist for health professionals to become involved against trafficking. For those at this conference looking to be involved on the front lines of injustice around the world, organizations and health professionals will assess the efforts already being made, how to get more involved, and what still needs to be done.The volume of aid resources doesn matter as much as the implementation philosophy that the aid is being channeled into. The old adage that ideas have consequences is quite true untested and shallow ideas often have negative consequences on those that are being served. This session will explore the difference between a dependency philosophy and an empowering strategy, and these ideas will be shared in such a way to be applied to any aid related work.

Despite the declining AIDS death rate and lessening HIV prevalence in many African countries, HIV/AIDS remains a tremendous challenge with medical, emotional, economic and social problems. Using case presentations and an interac- tive format, this workshop will explore HIV/AIDS care and treatment issues particularly from the speaker's experience in Africa.The volume of aid resources doesn matter as much as the implementation philosophy that the aid is being channeled into. The old adage that ideas have consequences is quite true untested and shallow ideas often have negative consequences on those that are being served. This session will explore the difference between a dependency philosophy and an empowering strategy, and these ideas will be shared in such a way to be applied to any aid related work.

What steps should I take so my efforts contribute to lasting change in the community where I will serve as a healthcare professional? You will review components, content, governance, and types of service providers in successful healthcare delivery systems and identify areas and opportunities for sustainable capacity building. A discussion of engagement strategies will follow, and will include political, regional, cultural, and worldview issues, and steps that will help avoid feeding corruption and creating dependency.

How can I get started in providing health care in the medical mission field? This workshop will help answer this essential question for those desiring to serve in medical missions, and those who desire to increase their effectiveness by partnering with others. Discuss motivations for partnership, including access to resources, experience, and needed capabilities; types of partners available; barriers to successful partnership; and initial steps necessary to begin to develop a successful partnership.The volume of aid resources doesn matter as much as the implementation philosophy that the aid is being channeled into. The old adage that ideas have consequences is quite true untested and shallow ideas often have negative consequences on those that are being served. This session will explore the difference between a dependency philosophy and an empowering strategy, and these ideas will be shared in such a way to be applied to any aid related work.

Finding appropriate medical resources for your mission project is a challenge. This session will explain how to evaluate medical projects, determine what specific equipment is needed, and how to find the resources to meet those needs.