Sara Isabel Mateus de Almeida1, Teresa Sofia Aires de Matos Nóbrega2.
1Paediatric Department of Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal,
2Integrated Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality II, Instituto Marquês de Valle Flôr, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
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Abstract
Background: Healthcare challenges in low/middle-income countries have been encouraging professionals to volunteer for medical service. The impact of these interventions should be evaluated to guarantee quality and local agreement. The aim was to assess volunteers' and local healthcare professionals’ perspectives on short-term health interventions (STHIs) in a international health cooperation program in Guinea-Bissau.
Methodology: Three standardized questionnaires were applied to international volunteers and local healthcare professionals, including National System workers and those from the cooperation project.
Results: All volunteers integrated a team and their main activity was clinical and medical training. The main motivation to participate was the will to meet different cultures, altruistic reasons and to improve clinical knowledge and their curriculum. Volunteers strongly agreed they have contributed to the training of locals and had the opportunity to improve communication with patients from different settings. Most local professionals reported regular or daily contact with volunteers and 92% participated in their medical training, in which practical and on job training were the preferred methods. Volunteers strongly agreed they have contributed to the training of locals. Local professionals also strongly agreed that volunteers contributed to updating knowledge as well as managing and organizing the services. Both volunteers and locals felt their collaboration was useful. Most local professionals agreed that STHIs can be improved by increasing the length of stay.
Conclusions: STHI’s assessment is essential so that it has an objective in compliance with the project and local requirements, allowing a sustainable solution for the improvement of community healthcare.
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