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Global Health Medical Mission Trips

International mission programs, medical team trips and immersion experiences, as well as long-term volunteer opportunities, have been part of Catholic health care in the United States since its founding. Congregations of women and men religious dispatched their members across the U.S. to tend to the needs of the poor and sick, and to educate the parishioners.

This page shares some of the many practices, tips and resources for short-term medical mission trips, mission trips, immersion experiences and long-term volunteer opportunities.

Recommendations for Practice

CHA is frequently asked for best practices and/or orientation materials or other guidance that can be used by groups conducting short-term medical mission trips. Admittedly, there is information available, but not much specific to health care or that connects this work to Catholic social teaching and our commitments to human dignity, justice and equality. CHA has conducted two phases of research on this topic and is pleased to offer two new resources.

CHA is pleased to offer a compilation of additional resources by topic for the orientation of persons who participate in, lead or support international work. These offerings should be relevant for persons who support the work of a medical surplus recovery program, participate in international mission programs not sponsored by your organization as well as those who respond to disasters. We recommend the online orientation module for those participating in short-term medical mission trips. The resources can be used for in-person or group orientations and/or shared electronically so that those who participate can orient themselves individually.

Conducting Mission and Immersion Trips

Guiding Principles for Conducting Global Health Activities

This CHA resource offers Catholic health ministry leaders and others who participate in global health projects six Guiding Principles for Conducting Global Health Activities.Offering a modern-day parable and Guiding Principles, this resource brings to life the richness of Catholic social teaching and tradition and inspires excellence and partnership in global health activities.

Medical Surplus Recovery, First Do No Harm

This video highlights the case for appropriate donations.

Short-Term Medical Mission Trips Survey Results

This book contains the detailed question-by-question survey results from Phase I and Phase II of CHA's 2014-2015 research project on short-term medical mission trips.

Short-Term Medical Mission Trips: Recommendations for Practice

This book shares 20 Recommendations for Practice that Catholic health care leaders should use to review current and to consider future short-term medical mission trips. They are based on the Phase I and Phase II short-term medical mission trip research. 

Short-term Medical Mission Online Orientation

CHA has developed an online orientation program with four modules for use by those who lead and participate in short-term international mission trips.
CHA Sample Orientation For Medical Mission Trips

Sample Orientation for Medical Mission Trips

This is a sample PowerPoint presentation for your use as an educational tool to help you develop an orientation process for participants on your medical mission trips. It is designed for you to customize to suit the needs of your program — adding or deleting slides where you deem appropriate.

Short-term Medical Mission Online Orientation Resource

CHA has developed an online orientation program with four modules for use by those who lead and participate in short-term international mission trips.

IO_Orientation_Computer

Access the online orientation resource

Long-Term Volunteer Opportunities

Those working in Catholic health care, as well as other persons, can participate in long-term volunteer experiences. Typically, persons interested in this type of program utilize several of the already-developed national and international programs for volunteers. If you or someone in your organization is interested in more than a year-long volunteer experience, some available resources include:
See all Video Case Studies

Conducting Mission and Immersion Trips

Video Scenario & Expert Commentary

Conducting Mission and Immersion Trips

Watch the video scenario and use the links below to see experts comment on the issue.

What is it about our mission that calls us to send medical teams?

What do you need to know before you start a medical team?

What makes Catholic Health Care different than any other organizations doing this work?

How is the Catholic Health Care approach more holistic when done well?

Why do we send medical teams? Is it for our benefit or the benefit of those whom we serve?

What is the best way to share medical surplus?

How and why should you partner with the local community?

Can mission trips compete with local providers?

Why do people volunteer and why does it matter?