Podcast

Poverty and health are intimately associated. The nations of poverty are also home to the lowest life expectancy, greatest child mortality, and highest number of preventable deaths. Three interventions are especially effective. First, we must promote economic development, for history demonstrates that as overall income increase so does health status. Second, we must stand against military conflict, for in nations so embattled over 90 percent of deaths are from hunger and infectious diseases. Third, we must advocate those specific interventions that have proven most effective against the leading diseases of poverty, such as provision of safe drinking water and mosquito nets to prevent malaria, though these interventions may be inconsistent with the standard medical paradigm.

Drawing on personal experiences as a missionary pharmacist in Mongolia and Tanzania, this session discusses the many aspects of clinical pharmacy for which pharmacists may have opportunity in a mission hospital.  Activities such as morning rounds with missionary/volunteer physicians, medication substitution, identifying a formulary for short term clinic outreaches, serving on a mission hospital P&T committee, working within the WHO essential drug list and providing patient counseling in another language.  Other pharmacist activities specific to the mission hospital setting will be discussed, including making intravenous solutions and antibiotic ointments, translation of package insert into the local languages, serving as a preceptor overseas and allowing God to work miracles when the medication runs out and getting outside your comfort zone.

How to have a long term impact with a short term medical team? Philosophy of Ministry, National Partnerships, Careful Preparation, Effective Clinic Outreach and Post Trip Attention all are critical ingredients! . To Cover Philosophy of Ministry, Partnership with Local Host Ministry, Preparing and Recruiting, Local Host Responsibility, Arrival and Clinic Week, Extracurricular Activities, Leave Taking/ Farewell/ Re-Entry

The course will deal with poverty in the urban slum. Attention will be given to a Biblical framework for development and a strategy for doing "Kingdom Development". Illustrations will come from lessons being learned in Nairobi, Kenya, Addis Ababa Ethiopia, and Bangkok Thailand.

Having the appropriate pharmacy supplies and medications are essential to ensure your short-term mission trip is successful. This session will address how to plan and execute a well run pharmacy during a short term medical mission trip. Planning a formulary, acquisition of medication and supplies, transporting medication, packaging and dispensing, patient counseling and other pharmacy services will be discussed. Contributions and best practices from the audience will be encouraged.