Global Medical Brigades
at the University of Washington
BRIGADE STRUCTURE
Each brigade consists of different stations. Each volunteer will be rotated through each station, although it is much easier to place Spanish speaking volunteers to certain roles, such as translating and triage. Patients generally wait in line to be seen by students working in triage, then by the doctors in the consultation room. All patients receive prescribed medication and vitamins, and attend health education workshops that aim to provide locals with the tools and knowledge necessary to bring long lasting health improvement in their communities.
intake
Volunteers will write down patients’ name, date of birth, gender, community, etc. It is helpful if the volunteers working in intake have some knowledge of Spanish as they will have to communicate with patients and write down unfamiliar names.
triage
This station is usually comprised of nurses and is the next stop for patients after intake. In triage, patients relay their symptoms and ailments while volunteers administer glucose tests, take blood pressure, weigh patients, etc. Once again, a grasp of Spanish is helpful in order to communicate otherwise translators will be needed.
consultation room
This station is comprised of doctors who attend to patients after they have been through triage. Doctors consult, diagnose and then prescribe the medication they feel is best suited for each individual patient. If a doctor comes across an ailment they feel the brigade does not have the proper medication or equipment to address, that doctor can refer the patient to the clinic for further treatment provided free of cost by Global Medical Brigades.
pharmacy
In this station, prescriptions are filled with either a doctor or pharmacist to approve the finished products and answer volunteers’ questions. Volunteers will also read off directions in Spanish on how to take each medication. Considered by some to be the most hectic station, volunteers in pharmacy should be prepared for long, fast-paced days.
dental station
The dental station provides patients with the opportunity to learn about dental care and have dentists extract decayed teeth. The dental station is comprised of at least two dentists for extractions, two assistants to sterilize equipment and any translators that might be needed.
health education workshop
This station requires Spanish speaking volunteers to discuss common illnesses seen in the country, in addition to lifestyle choices that can affect health outcomes. Much of our health education workshop will be tailored to discuss boiling water to avoid parasites, nutrition, and exercise.
data entry
Volunteers input each patient sheet into a computerized database brought to the individual brigade sites in order to have an analysis of ailments and statistics found in each community.
translators
Volunteers proficient in Spanish are crucial parts of the brigades so that doctors and nurses alike know exactly what problems are plaguing each patient. Without translators, medical brigades would turn into a guessing game. That said, at least four translators are needed in every volunteer group.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As a volunteer, what will I be doing?
Although we do not travel until August, the time commitment to our program begins in January for all accepted applicants. We usually hold bi-monthly meetings to acquaint all members, as well as require planning and participation in seveal team building activities and fundraising events. In doing so, we seek to encourage a bonded team prior to traveling to Panama and also during the trip. Because the Global Medical Brigades program is entirely student-led, it is up to each brigade member to help plan and facilitate the success of our brigade. Each volunteer will be assigned to a specific committee, working towards a specific goal. Past committees have included medicine collection, recruitment of health professionals, and fundraising. While in Panama, each volunteer will rotate through several stations that make up our brigade site. Each volunteer will gain hands-on skills, in addition to being able to shadow doctors and our other health professionals. Doctors in the past have been incredibly generous in walking students through many consultations and diagnoses.
When is the brigade scheduled for?
The next brigade is tentatively scheduled for August 2015, after the end of summer quarter. The trip ranges from 7-9 days not including travel to and from Nicaragua. All brigaders are required to travel together from Seattle to Nicaragua as a group, with airfare arranged through Global Brigades Travel.
What are the costs for each brigader?
Each brigader will pay the airfare fee (typically $700-$1000) in addition to the in-country fee of around $850 to the Global Brigades organization. All airfare is purchased as a group through Global Brigades Travel in order for us to travel as one and be picked up as one cohesive group. At this time, individuals cannot book their own tickets.
How many people are accepted?
We will be accepting around 30-40 students for our summer brigade. Most of the volunteers we bring with us are undergraduate students and we actively work together to recruit doctors, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and Spanish translators. All students will rotate roles during the brigade in order to give everyone experience in all aspects of the brigade, however, students that are conversational or fluent in Spanish will usually get more time in triage.
Where will I stay?
Global Medical Brigades has expanded operations and relationships throughout Central America to accommodate its volunteers. We will be picked up by bus from the local airport and driven as a group by in-country Global Brigades staff.
In Nicaragua, our group will stay in a Global Brigades compound. There will be Global Brigades staff employed during our brigade time that will prepare all our meals with filtered water and to ensure that all our needs are met.
What will I eat?
The food on the trip always exceeds the expectations of the volunteers. Global Brigades chefs at the school compound will provide home-cooked meals with clean using filtered water every morning and evening. Lunches are provided while on brigade. All meals are included in the price of the in-country cost and vegetarian options are available.
Will there be any free time?
Outside of the brigade time, there will likely be a tour in country. Time each night is your own to enjoy in the compound. While working in the communities, each student is also required to help with unpacking and inventory-ing medication after each brigade day. This ensures that our team is well prepared and stocked for the next brigade day.