How to make a global impact by going on a medical mission
February 25, 2025)
You became a physician to help people — and with over 8 billion people in the world, that’s a lot of lives to touch. As a healthcare provider, your expertise has the power to make a difference far beyond your everyday practice. How? One way is a medical mission.
What is a medical mission?
If you’ve been a healthcare provider for any length of time, we’re sure you’ve heard of a medical mission. Medical missions have long been touted as the hallmark of service and altruism for the medical industry in a career already fraught with long days and endless service.
As a participant in a medical mission, you’re the 007 of doctor-ing: sent to remote regions or crisis-stricken areas to provide life-saving care where it’s most needed. Whether helping communities with limited healthcare infrastructure, providing relief after a natural disaster, or supporting local physicians overwhelmed by demand, your mission is to make a lasting impact where the need is greatest.
A real-life example: The rural Argentina medical mission
Sometimes, it can be hard to understand exactly what to expect from a medical mission. That uncertainty can cause a lot of hesitation and keep you from saying “Yes!” to a truly life-changing and remarkable opportunity. Dare to adventure into the uncertainty! Let us help provide a bit more structure around what to expect on a medical mission, with this example from a trip to Argentina.
The providers in Argentina saw about 100 people a day, and people waited in line for hours to see the team. Dr. Tawanna King, a family medicine physician, said, “We saw patients for four days and worked in two rural communities and two communities in the garbage-collecting communities, and we didn’t have to go far. The furthest we probably went from the garbage-collecting community was right outside where we were staying, probably five to 10 minutes away.
The rural community was about an hour from where we stayed. We serviced the people in that community, but people from an hour or two away also came.”
A local provider set up the mission team with state health system documentation so that the team could write prescriptions and make referrals. Everything was done through an interpreter.
“The patients themselves knew that they should be seeing a specialist, but they weren’t able to get an appointment,” Dr. King says. “So, by coming to the clinic we were providing, we connected them through those referrals to the next step of where they need to go in their care.”
“Some people were coming with lab results to ensure everything looked OK. We used the dental clinic of one of the local providers we collaborated with, so there were additional rooms we could use,” Dr. Zakera Nanabawa, OB/GYN, explains. “The patients were thankful.”
Types of medical missions
There are countless ways to make a meaningful impact on a medical mission, and no two missions are exactly alike. Each physician's journey is unique, shaped by the needs of the community they’re serving and the specific challenges of the mission.
While we've provided an overview of what a typical international medical mission might involve, here are some additional insights into other mission opportunities you can explore:
General medical care: This requires diagnosing and treating common illnesses or other simple preventative care and procedures and addressing chronic health issues.
Surgical missions: Performing surgeries in regions with limited access to surgical care, including general surgery, orthopedic procedures, and specialized surgeries.
Public health initiatives: Running vaccination campaigns, disease prevention programs, and health education to improve the overall well-being of communities.
Emergency and disaster relief: Providing urgent medical care during natural disasters or other crises where healthcare facilities may be overwhelmed or inaccessible.
Telemedicine: Telehealth platforms can greatly expand healthcare access in hard-to-reach areas by offering remote consultations and medical advice to underserved populations.
Medical education and training: Equipping local healthcare workers with the skills and knowledge to address their community’s healthcare needs and build sustainable systems for the future.
Specialty care: Delivering specialized services in fields like cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, or OB/GYN to communities with little access to advanced care.
Mobile: Reach remote areas with on-the-go healthcare services, providing treatment in places where permanent clinics may not exist.
How to get involved
The Making a Difference Foundation, CHG’s nonprofit partner, is vital in supporting medical missions.
Through grant donations, the foundation helps fund initiatives that bring healthcare to underserved populations worldwide. Their work ensures that every mission leaves a lasting impact by empowering communities and strengthening local healthcare systems.
Some other organizations that help you get involved in a medical mission:
World Medical Mission: Sends Christian medical professionals to partner hospitals globally to provide care and train local staff.
MedicalMissions.com: Offers options for short- and long-term missions in areas such as surgery, public health, and medical education.
Serge: Focuses on long-term assignments like physical therapy in Peru or OB/GYN services in South Asia.
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ): Provides a range of specialty medical volunteer programs.
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières): Combines on-site missions with telemedicine for a global impact.
Telehealth for Africa: Enables remote consultations and support for African healthcare providers.
Project HOPE: Offers remote training and telemedicine support for healthcare workers worldwide.
Global Telehealth Network: Connects volunteer professionals with underserved communities through telemedicine.
Tips for your first medical mission
Embarking on a medical mission can be truly life-changing. Preparing for it is a step you don’t want to skip. Here are some tips to ensure your mission is both impactful and rewarding:
Understand the local culture: Familiarize yourself with the customs and healthcare challenges of the region you’ll be working in.
Be flexible: Medical missions can often be unpredictable due to local conditions, so a flexible mindset will help you adapt when needed.
Focus on sustainability: Aim to leave a lasting impact by training local providers, sharing knowledge, and contributing to long-term health improvements.
Join the movement for medical missions
If you’re passionate about using your skills to make a global impact, there are countless medical mission opportunities to explore. From providing on-the-ground care to leveraging telemedicine, your expertise can transform lives in underserved communities worldwide.
The Making a Difference Foundation and Weatherby support you every step of the way. Together, we can help build a healthier, more equitable world.
Interested in learning more about locum tenens jobs abroad? Give us a call or view today's international physician job opportunities.
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