Medical Outreach:

Who can participate in the medical outreach?

Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Dentists, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Nurses, Medical Assistants, Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienist, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, CNAs, EMTs, and Nursing/Medical students. If you are non-medical we have positions for children’s crafts, vision screenings, charting, counting vitamins/medications, and prayer.

What does medical outreach look like?

The medical outreach is set up in the local community and accommodates: registration, triage, exam rooms, medication distribution, procedures, dental room, and children’s craft areas. The medical outreach is similar to a family practice/insta-care settings.

What is the typical schedule for a medical outreach day?

We wake up at 6am and have breakfast and morning devotions. We usually leave the guesthouse at 7:15am. Outreach is from 8am until the last patient leaves. This is usually 6:30-7:30. Dinner is at the guesthouse. The last medical outreach day we usually leave around 8:30pm due to inventory of medication, supply, and repacking for storage for the next medical mission.

How many patients do you see in 5 days?

On average, we see 500-600 patients in our medical outreach.

Who will follow up with the patients with chronic illnesses?

We have a medical ministry team that provides weekly follow-up care for patients that have chronic illnesses.

I don’t speak Spanish. Will I have a translator?

Yes! You are not required to know Spanish before you go, but we do encourage you to learn a little if you can. We will have a team of translators that participate in the clinic with us.

Tourism:

Will we have time to see the country and culture?

Our team will have one tourism day planned into the schedule.

Can we have more time to do tourist activities throughout the week?

Unfortunately no. Our busy medical outreach schedule limits our team to one tourist day for the week. We are not able to arrange any other time for tourism. If you would like more time to do this after the outreach is over, please let the Healing Nations leader know before the trip that you would like to extend your trip (You will be responsible for all of your added tourism plans/expenses).

Accommodations:

What kind of accommodations will I have?

The guest house has bunk beds in each room, flush toilets, and running water for showers. They will provide filtered water for all of the team.

Are the beds comfortable?

Yes! There are regular mattresses on the bunk beds!

Do they have hot water?

Hot water is available in short supply. You will likely have a cold shower on some of the days you are there.

Can the guest house accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, we will share your dietary restrictions with our hosts and they will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please bring extra snacks on the trip if you have multiple allergies/sensitivities.

Can I exercise while I am in Guatemala?

This is dependent on the guidance of the US Embassy. Your team leader will advise you with the current warnings for the time that you are there. If the embassy is saying it is safe, you may exercise. But we ask that you go with multiple people so that you are safe. You will be expected to keep to the outreach schedule, so please plan your exercise accordingly.

Travel:

Do I have to travel with the team, even though I have a lot of international travel experience?

YES! It is always best to travel in a team so everyone has the same direction and information. Please help the Healing Nations Team Leader and take a “newbie” under your wing and help guide them through international travel. Your former experience will be very helpful for someone that has never travelled before. If you live outside of Utah, the team will meet you at our layover destination.

Training and Orientation:

What training or orientation will I receive?

There 3-4 team meetings to orient you to the medical outreach and Guatemalan culture. They are crucial for giving information and team building so we encourage 100% participation so that you get all of the information that you need. Out of state members can Zoom into the meetings. The Director of Medical Missions will let you know all of the dates of the meetings several months in advance so you can plan accordingly.

How can I prepare spiritually?

Our Healing Nations team will provide you with devotionals that prepare your heart for your trip. You don’t have to wait…Start praying now for your trip! Pray for the people you will be ministering to, pray for our team unity, pray for opportunities to share God’s love. Ask God to prepare your heart for what He wants you to learn and experience! Pray that He heals the people you treat both physically and spiritually. Ask others to pray with you and for you as you go.

Medication and Supplies:

How do we transport the medication and supplies?

We will use our suitcases to transport all of the medications and supplies. If you live out of state, we will send you everything you need to pack for the medical outreach. You will need to bring a carry-on bag for your personal items.

Packing:

What should I pack?

You will receive a detailed packing list that will guide you as you pack. This list has been compiled by past team members. Please note: Everyone is required to wear scrubs on medical outreach days.

Age restrictions:

Can we bring our children for an amazing cross cultural experience?

For parents of children less than 15 years of age, if you would like to bring your child with you on a medical mission, our policy is that a parent must go on a trip to view the medical outreach through their child’s eyes before the child may participate. We know that every child processes things differently and we want to make sure that your child is ready for the trip. After assessing the trip, you may accompany your child on the next trip. Children add a unique gift to our missions and we love that, but we want to make sure they can endure long days, eat unfamiliar food, and participate with purpose and excitement!

Finances:

Can I fundraise to cover my trip expenses?

Every team member is responsible for their funding. You are welcome to fundraise individually or as a team. This will be up to each team members discretion. If you need a fundraising letter resource, please email the Director of Medical Missions and we can provide you with a template. If you have people that want to donate towards your trip, you can direct them to the trip payment link where they can designate funding towards your trip.

Can additional funds I raise be paid for passports, immunizations, tourism, and other out of pocket expenses?

No. These are considered personal expenses. Any amount that you raise over and beyond, will be considered extra project money or can be put towards a future trip.

If I cancel my trip, will I receive a refund?

Healing Nations is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible. Because of this, donations cannot be refunded. If you need to cancel your trip you have the following options: funds can be used on a future trip taken within one year, or funds can be donated to medication/supplies for the medical and dental mission.