Bridging the Gap: Including Patient Voices in Short-Term Medical Mission Evaluations.

Background: Several studies have evaluated short term medical missions (STMM), but most have been from the perspective of the STMM teams providing their own suggestions [1]; few surveys have assessed the perceptions of patients who seek medical care at these STMM clinics [2].

Objectives: This project evaluates the efficiency, quality, and value of the services provided by a STMM clinic established in the community of Paraíso in Santo Domingo Norte, Dominican Republic, as perceived by the patients. Study results will allow organizers to make improvements to these clinics and will contribute to a broader understanding of the benefit and value of medical services provided by STMMs.