Guidelines for short-term medical missions: perspectives from host countries

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Medical Ethics
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Short-term medical missions (STMMs) are increasingly common, but ethical concerns and lack of host country collaboration are prevalent.
• Existing guidelines are often developed from a high-income country perspective, neglecting local needs and contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an existing best practice guideline for STMMs.
• To gather perspectives from host country participants in Honduras, Malawi, and the Philippines.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 118 participants from host countries.
• Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to interpret data.

Main Results:

• Participants desired more structured guidance for STMMs and generally accepted the proposed guidelines.
• A 24-page guideline document was considered cumbersome; a companion checklist was developed.
• Key themes included collaboration, care for underserved populations, capacity building, essential supplies, and feasibility.

Conclusions:

• Host country input indicates guidelines can improve STMM regulation, coordination, and implementation.
• Guidelines can strengthen trust between mission teams and local health staff.
• Adapting guidelines for local contexts and prioritizing local needs, capacity development, and continuity of care are crucial.