The mission of Medical Brigades is to work with licensed
medical professionals and community health workers to
provide comprehensive health services in rural communities
with limited access to healthcare. For this brigade we are focusing on Panama. On brigades,
volunteers have the opportunity to shadow licensed doctors
in medical consultations, assist in a pharmacy under the
direction of licensed pharmacists, perform triage with the
help of our skilled paramedics, and facilitate educational
workships. Each of our partner community receives a
brigade every 3 to 4 months where hundreds of patients are
treated and volunteers deliver public health workshops.
Between brigades our in-country team maintains
relationships with the communities to provide follow-up. In
early 2013, Medical Brigades Panama began to keep
electronic patient records which can be used for reference
in future visitations and to monitor overall community
health trends.

Volunteers’ duties on brigades vary based on the medical
background and skill of the volunteer. Volunteers with little to no
medical experience have the opportunity to assist during the
triage and intake of patients, shadow doctors during
consultations, and help pack medications in the pharmacy under the direction of our local pharmacists. Volunteers with greater medical experience have the opportunity to take a larger leadership role during triage and assisting with health education workshops, all under the supervision of licensed doctors. Licensed doctors complete all patient consultations and medicine prescriptions. Regardless of skill level, all volunteer contribute to our clinics and have the chance to learn about providing sustainable healthcare to rural communities.