Advanced pharmacy practice students creating sustainability on short term medical mission trip

Purpose: Medical missions, often consisting of teams from wealthier nations have become increasingly popular. However, many criticisms on their outcomes exist such as it being a short term fix. The need to reach remote areas of developing countries is undeniable. Due to this need, our group instead worked towards establishing long term sustainability of our clinics through creating educational tools for ourselves, the local missionary family, and villagers. 

Methods: Upon determination of the predominant disease sates in Guatemala using the CDC, the group of 7 rotation students created specific algorithms to address major health concerns using product monographs and guidelines. These were then used to educate missionaries and accompanying athletic team on prevalent disease states and over the counter medications. In order to address sustainability we took detailed information on each patient and diseases they presented with in order to update the information for the missionaries. 

Results: Visiting four remote villages we were able to reach 382 patients, mostly woman and children. Although many patients required prescription medications for fungal and bacterial infections, a majority of the patients seen presented with back and body aches and pain, headaches, fever, and coughs which we treated using our algorithms. Missionaries and members of the athletic team were able to triage and treat appropriately. They were also able to educate villages on recommended non pharmacological measures to prevent communicable diseases and reduce occurrence of common disease states. 

Conclusion: Many argue that untrained medical professionals are not well equipped to properly administer medications. We cannot refute that aide to these remote villages is necessary. Education is imperative to safe practices oversees for missionaries and other volunteers. By providing initial upfront education on common disease states and a point of contact with the Gregory School of Pharmacy will allow them to reach underserved areas with appropriate recommendations.