Month: June 2020

How I became disillusioned with medical mission travels.

I’ve always had an interest in helping those less fortunate than me and with my healthcare experience and exposure I thought I could meld the two to effect a positive impact. I’ve lived in a third world country and am intimately aware of economic trials of people struggling to exist. I’ve lived in developed countries and also seen marginalization of people from different ethnic, cultural, racial backgrounds struggle to exist. It is apparent that in many instances the need to struggle to exist is not solely dependent on where you come from or your country of origin. Within countries of those who struggle there is often clear economic inequality as living very close to these struggling people are others of wealth and means.

 

 

I chose to get involved in medical missions and volunteer my services locally and abroad.

I thought being involved in large organizations would allow me to experience life through other people’s experiences and share my knowledge to enhance someone else’s life.

I soon realized much of what I thought would or should occur in fact does not.

In getting involved and traveling to various countries I soon realized that the needs and objectives of those organizing some of these trips were influenced and focused more on desires to meet and check the boxes of perceived social obligations in order to satisfy some organizational economic or financial need.

 

 

There was a lack of understanding and appreciation of the communities and the cultures in which volunteers served, there was a lack of attempt to assimilate with the cultures. Many individuals in these communities, countries or cultures were viewed as exotic or interesting and so pictures were taken as a photo opportunity.

 

 

Of course services were provided whether it was in health care or construction or whatever else but there was limited concern as to whether these met the need of the community or what would occur once the volunteers boarded a plane and left the country. Did the medical building that was established utilize the human resources within the country or did the volunteers build it all themselves? Was land used that could have been used for farming or cultivating? There are so many questions most never considered.

 

 

Whatever became of the person with whom you took a picture that now is prominently displayed on your social media or other platforms indicating your altruistic attempts at giving back? Did I offer some assistance, or provide for the ‘model(s)’ in the pictures? Did I have a conversation with them or ask them how life is in their world? Did I ask them if they go to school? How far is school away? Did I ask them how they make a living? Did I enrich their lives and make a difference for the long term? Did you really care or was it the opportunity for a photo up because of your need to stand out amongst your social circle at home for ‘likes’? Wouldn’t it be better to take pictures of ‘doing’ and interacting and not just for photo opportunities?

 

 

So, I became disillusioned and decided this was not the means by which I could volunteer and offer my services to the best of my ability. So, I began the search for more meaningful ways to share, enhance and collaborate within   communities, with other cultures and with other people. It is important that not only do I enlighten myself and enjoy the experience but more importantly it is through meaningful selfless interaction, appreciation, understanding and giving that mutual benefit can realistically be achieved.

I am reminded of a quote by Anne Frank, “No one ever became poor by giving”  and Albert Einstein’s comment “It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it”.

So, from being disillusioned I am now enlightened and excited to be able to impact people’s lives in meaningful ways for them and in a way that will be sustainable after I have left their location.

From what I have learned, I implore others in the search for volunteer opportunities to ensure that you are giving more than you take.

HOW CULTURE AFFECTS HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

Culture affects health and healthcare in many ways and realizing this will impact success in disease management and achieving Wellness as well as interactions during mission and charity ventures.

“Health is intertwined with the fabric of life and the beliefs and practices that go with it, health and culture exist and interact within a broader social, political, an economic environment “

The classical definition of culture is “the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, customs, and any other capabilities inhabits acquired by man as a member of society” – EB Taylor 1871

No culture is ironclad or fixed, cultures always change, adapt, and evolve over time. It is fluid, more like a central tendency of which there may be variations.

Culture is not fixed but evolves – as people from one society or group come into contact with other people, or as they change overtime, their cultures change.

Being healthy is viewed differently depending on the culture. Being ‘Healthy’can mean the absence of disease such as in United States of America, it can mean representing a balance of mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual components such as in north American Indians. Being healthy can mean harmony of relations and interdependence on other people eg Buddhist .and in some cultures being healthy is synonymous with a large body size which can indicate high social status such as in some African countries for example Senegal.

 

 Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments

 

It’s imperative to understand the political environment, economic environment an historical environment of the region of origin of an individual (eg, American Indians or African -Americans) to fully comprehend their view of health and Wellness and how to help them impact their health and utilize healthcare resources appropriately. Poverty and social marginalization or inequity and inequality in social economic status, or countries torn apart by war – Religious war or civil war ( eg. Muslim/Islamic) can impact health and wellness.

Family and community involvement impact healthcare decision making for many people and patients. It is important to understand that some cultures prefer if not require family members to accompany the patient during the health care visit. Muslim /Islam, Hindu may require a male figure to accompany the patient, other cultures such as Latin American cultures and American Indian are very family oriented, and a successful health care encounter and follow through will not occur if family is excluded.

Religious practices & beliefs impact access to health and the perception of health. In Latin countries there are various practices such as   Catholicism, Santeria, Espiritism which provide advice and counsel and serve as an adjunct to medical care.   In Asian cultures there are multiple different types of religious or belief systems that can impact access to care and health. Beliefs such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism and Shinto provide guidance and can interfere with how authoritarian figures are viewed and how the transfer from life to death is viewed. Muslim /Islamic faith believe that they are spiritual beings having a human experience contrary to Christians who believe they are human beings searching for a spiritual experience. Cleanliness governs Muslim life, and this must be kept in mind with a hospitalized patient for example the need for showers as opposed to bed baths and the need to wash themselves instead of using toilet paper. Other beliefs such as Yin and Yang in Chinese culture which emphasizes the need for balance in all aspects of one’s life to avoid disease. Witchcraft and sorcery also are used in some African and Caribbean countries and are seen in certain cultures as the source of HIV infection which can interfere with appropriate treatment an intervention.

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Beginners: Over 100 Remedies for Wellness and Balance

 

Culture healing methods which may be used alongside Western medicine treatments such as herbal medicines and remedies. Ceremonies and certain dietary restrictions or specific inclusions depending on the experience also affect the way health and wellness are viewed.

So, understanding how all the above impacts the way a provider interacts with another person such as a patient or how a health care provider in a charity or mission clinic interacts with those they are  attending to will improve you, the provider’s, ability to meet the needs of your patient.  It’s important to be aware of these differences and to engage in conversation marked more by listening and observing then speaking initially. Also being aware of some of these alternative methods of staying healthy in some cultures will help direct your line of questioning and will provide you with knowledge of questions to ask to ensure that a full understanding of the health care needs is met.