C. Breakout Sessions

4. Overseas Missions

Ulysses Carbajal, MD, Philippine Medical Association of Southern California
Ralph Kuon, MD, Peruvian American Medical Society

Many of California's Ethnic Physician Organizations were established to help their members maintain their ties to their country of origin and to their culture. Medical missions were created as a way of assisting physicians to maintain that connection and to share the knowledge and resources they had acquired practicing the United States.

Drs. Ulysses Carbajal and Ralph Kuon reported on their experience in organizing and leading medical missions to the Philippines and Peru, respectively. They both emphasized how their missions brought critical medical services, supplies and equipment to underserved communities in both countries. They emphasized the role of the medical missions in training in-country health care professionals in advanced procedures.

Both presenters described the benefits to the participants in the missions, whether as physicians returning to their country of origin or as students receiving a unique medical training experience. Dr. Kuon indicated that a number of participants in the medical missions he has lead to Peru were students at the Drew Medical School in Los Angeles. Most of those he has remained in contact with have gone on to practice in underserved areas of California.

Drs. Carbajal and Kuon also discussed the preparations and elements of a successful mission. They both emphasized the labor intensive and lengthy advance planning that was required for a successful mission. Supplies and equipment must be gathered months in advance for shipment to the country of the mission. Agreements have to be struck with government officials, defining which services are to be provided and under what circumstances those services will be provided free of charge. Provisions need to be made for follow-up care for patients, following the U.S. based physicians return to the United States.

The presenters also identified other elements of successful missions. It is critical to keep good medical records and other documentation for liability purposes. It is also important to work closely with in-country physicians to build positive relationships and to transfer skills.

This session illuminated a number of these issues. The discussion generated the suggestion that the medical mission model could be adapted to increase and enhance medical services in underserved communities in the United States.