A Guide to International Volunteer Projects
A Guide to International Volunteer Projects
The ultimate reward of any project is the feeling of providing care to people who would otherwise not be served. The odds of success in achieving this can be maximized if realistic goals are set at the start of the project. Moreover, these goals will determine the composition of the team.
Number of patients to be examined. The number of patients examined per day will vary depending on the expertise and experience of the group. In general, most eye care providers will see 50-100 patients per day. Local staff can help prepare the project by pre-enrolling patients. Handing out numbered and color-coded (different color for each day) enrollment forms to patients and having them complete a brief history will reduce crowds and help keep the examination time problem-focused.
Pitfalls are tolerated more easily if the schedule is not overly aggressive. Regardless, pre-establishing patient volume allows the hosts to register them in advance and to set the number of support staff needed to assist.
Keep in mind that the working conditions will be less than ideal, and schedule accordingly. The environment may be hot and sticky (eg, Philippines), or it may be cold at high altitudes (eg, Peru). Some of the project members may become sick and require time off from the clinic.
Supplies (eg, balanced salt solution, sterile gauze, surgical scrubs) and commonly used surgical instruments may not be readily available.
Providing educational resources. Including local professionals in the project enables them to further their skills as well offer their own important contributions. This, in turn, increases their commitment to the project and ensures success. Providing didactic education to local eye care professionals during nonclinic hours enhances their skill level, making them better able to serve the people. Even demonstrating a website, such as Medscape Drugs & Diseases, to local professionals can provide them with a resource to search for answers to their medical questions.
Supplies to be donated. Much-needed donations of glasses and surgical supplies provide tangible evidence of the project's efforts.
Project Goals
The ultimate reward of any project is the feeling of providing care to people who would otherwise not be served. The odds of success in achieving this can be maximized if realistic goals are set at the start of the project. Moreover, these goals will determine the composition of the team.
Number of patients to be examined. The number of patients examined per day will vary depending on the expertise and experience of the group. In general, most eye care providers will see 50-100 patients per day. Local staff can help prepare the project by pre-enrolling patients. Handing out numbered and color-coded (different color for each day) enrollment forms to patients and having them complete a brief history will reduce crowds and help keep the examination time problem-focused.
Pitfalls are tolerated more easily if the schedule is not overly aggressive. Regardless, pre-establishing patient volume allows the hosts to register them in advance and to set the number of support staff needed to assist.
Keep in mind that the working conditions will be less than ideal, and schedule accordingly. The environment may be hot and sticky (eg, Philippines), or it may be cold at high altitudes (eg, Peru). Some of the project members may become sick and require time off from the clinic.
Supplies (eg, balanced salt solution, sterile gauze, surgical scrubs) and commonly used surgical instruments may not be readily available.
Providing educational resources. Including local professionals in the project enables them to further their skills as well offer their own important contributions. This, in turn, increases their commitment to the project and ensures success. Providing didactic education to local eye care professionals during nonclinic hours enhances their skill level, making them better able to serve the people. Even demonstrating a website, such as Medscape Drugs & Diseases, to local professionals can provide them with a resource to search for answers to their medical questions.
Supplies to be donated. Much-needed donations of glasses and surgical supplies provide tangible evidence of the project's efforts.
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