title: Looking good but doing harm? Perceptions of short-term medical missions in Nicaragua.
abstract: In this paper, we present findings from a qualitative study that gathered Nicaraguans' perceptions of short-term foreign medical missions, towards deepening the understanding of what Nicaraguans value or find limited in the work of such foreign missions operating in their country. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with patients, relatives of patients, Nicaraguan physicians and nurses who partnered with or observed missions at work, 'beneficiary' community leaders, and individuals who were unable or unwilling to access mission-provided healthcare. Factors underlying participants' positive and more critical accounts of foreign primary and surgical missions are described and analysed. Empirical investigation on how, whether or not, or on what bases short-term medical missions (STMs) have been perceived as beneficial, harmful, or otherwise by those on the receiving end of these efforts is limited. This study aims to contribute to the evidence base for reflecting on the ethical performance of trans-national STMs.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Elysée
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nouvet
authors.affiliation: b Department of International Health , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000941:ethics; D009527:Nicaragua; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
keywords: Nicaragua; Perceptions; ethics of trans-national care; humanitarian; medical missions