Raising the Quality of Care During Medical Missions: A Survey to Assess the Need for Clinical and Anatomic Pathology Services in International Medical Missions

Abstract

Context.—Providing basic medical care to patients in underserved communities around the world is a valuable service and should not be compromised. Limited publicly available information on the use of pathology services during short-term medical missions (STMMs) shows a dire need for the improved quality of care being provided. Objective.—To assess the need for clinical and anatomic pathology services in international medical missions by conducting an online survey. Design.—A survey containing 35 questions aimed to understand the current use and availability of routine laboratory tests during STMMs, identify the need for particular tests that would improve quality of care, and determine the perceived obstacles preventing the delivery of the care to underserved communities worldwide. Answers from 21 health care providers who served on 50 medical missions were assessed. Results.—Survey results revealed a significant discrepancy between the availability of pathology services in the United States and during STMMs. Statistical significance (P< .001) was found in areas of routine blood work, cytopathology, and histologic evaluation, among many others. More than half of the STMMs did not have access to basic metabolic panel, rapid hepatitis B test, and microbial cultures. Another 28% of health care providers indicated that having human immunodeficiency virus testing would have improved health care quality. Conclusions.—Survey results show the need for improved pathology support during STMMs. The lack of precise diagnosis and disease monitoring has a negative effect on the quality of care provided during missions and the ability to enhance global health.