Background: Short-term medical missions (STMMs) involve the temporary provision of medical services by foreign healthcare providers or students to a recipient community. This thesis seeks to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these projects. Methods: A scoping review was conducted identifying articles published from 2015-2022 relevant to medical missions and COVID-19. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants to describe experiences and explore perspectives from STMM stakeholders. Results: The scoping review resulted in 37 included articles. These findings were supported by semi-structured interviews with six stakeholders. Both the review and interview results described cancellation of in-person activities by STMM organizations during the shutdown and subsequent consequences experienced by the organizations and partners. Alternative initiatives were implemented supporting pandemic response and incorporating virtual platforms for patient care. Remote educational programs for patients and healthcare providers were also developed and employed. Safety protocols were developed and implemented when lockdown measures were lifted. Changes in mission models and a shift towards sustainability and long-term initiatives were also discussed. Conclusions: STMMs have received significant criticism in recent years. Travel restrictions forced an inevitable pause on these projects, creating an opportune time to explore these changes and identify implications for the future. The impact of COVID-19 resulted in countless adaptations within STMM organizations. Further research is needed to identify which changes have been sustained. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / This thesis seeks to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on short-term medical missions (STMMs). International travel restrictions and safety concerns brought STMMs to a forced pause. Through a scoping review and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, this thesis aims to describe experiences, responses, and adaptations of STMM organizations consequent to the pandemic. The review and interviews confirmed the substantial number of STMM cancellations during the lockdown. The forced withdrawal of care compounded on existing demands for overwhelmed healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. STMM organizations pivoted to assisting with pandemic response and disaster relief. Virtual initiatives were also developed to provide support remotely. Safety protocols were developed and implemented. At the time of the review and interviews, several STMM organizations had resumed in-person care. The review and stakeholders revealed a shift from the classic STMM model to prioritizing long-term, sustainable initiatives with local community involvement.

Background: Growing concerns about the value and effectiveness of short-term volunteer trips intending to improve health in underserved Global South communities has driven the development of guidelines by multiple organizations and individuals. These are intended to mitigate potential harms and maximize benefits associated with such efforts. Method: This paper analyzes 27 guidelines derived from a scoping review of the literature available in early 2017, describing their authorship, intended audiences, the aspects of short term medical missions (STMMs) they address, and their attention to guideline implementation. It further considers how these guidelines relate to the desires of host communities, as seen in studies of host country staff who work with volunteers. Results: Existing guidelines are almost entirely written by and addressed to educators and practitioners in the Global North. There is broad consensus on key principles for responsible, effective, and ethical programs-need for host partners, proper preparation and supervision of visitors, needs assessment and evaluation, sustainability, and adherence to pertinent legal and ethical standards. Host country staff studies suggest agreement with the main elements of this guideline consensus, but they add the importance of mutual learning and respect for hosts. Conclusions: Guidelines must be informed by research and policy directives from host countries that is now mostly absent. Also, a comprehensive strategy to support adherence to best practice guidelines is needed, given limited regulation and enforcement capacity in host country contexts and strong incentives for involved stakeholders to undertake or host STMMs that do not respect key principles.