A framework for categorizing short-term medical experiences abroad by local partnership engagement model

Introduction

Growing interest in short term medical experiences (STME) abroad has driven development of common ethical themes to govern student participation and mitigate potential harm to local communities. One critically espoused ethical principle is partnership with a local community organization, but heterogeneity of STME has resulted in differing models of local partner engagement. This paper provides a framework for groups conducting STME and potential volunteer participants to evaluate different models and develop ethical strategies for local partner engagement.

Methods

From a focused literature review and semi-structured expert discussion, we developed a framework of models to categorize STMEs by local partner engagement. Each framework category described the model, provided an organizational example, and discussed the associated risks and benefits.

Results

Three categories informed our framework: nature and quantity of visiting teams/institutions, quantity of local partners (none, single or multiple), and frequency of work/visits (continuous or intermittent.) The available evidence suggests that stand-alone, single visiting teams, working intermittently without a local partner, provide enormous flexibility to the visiting providers while having the greatest potential harm for the community abroad. Other models, such as multiple visiting teams continuously working with a single local partner, provide an opportunity for centralization of efforts, greater local input, and meaningful impact.

Recommendations

Dissemination of successful models of local engagement in STME can help groups to address the potential consequences of their work in host communities. Institutions implementing STMEs can use this framework to evaluate potential local partnerships for a given community context.