Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned

Urologic healthcare in low- and middle-income countries is recognized to be underserved. The goal to improve urologic health outcomes for populations in these countries may be met through urologic humanitarian work, often brought about by aid workers with clinical expertise originating from high-inc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Arthur L. Burnett
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2563-6499/5/6/70
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850229714515394560
author Arthur L. Burnett
author_facet Arthur L. Burnett
author_sort Arthur L. Burnett
collection DOAJ
description Urologic healthcare in low- and middle-income countries is recognized to be underserved. The goal to improve urologic health outcomes for populations in these countries may be met through urologic humanitarian work, often brought about by aid workers with clinical expertise originating from high-income countries. This essay serves as a brief narrative review of the literature describing urologic outreach efforts brought to low- and middle-income countries and perspective on the purpose of these efforts. A range of urology-specific organizations are engaged in international volunteerism efforts. The foundation of this activity, to the greatest extent, can be characterized as international collaboration involving healthcare providers of the local region of service. Service activities include not just medical or surgical missions but span from clinical workshops to educational programming, faculty training programs, research enterprises and health care system initiatives. Whereas challenges confront aid workers primarily relating to difficult resources, there are definite rewards for humanitarian work. These rewards are not viewed only as a one-way proposition benefitting the local region receiving health care. Visiting aid workers also prosper by way of life lessons in service and humanity and an appreciation of health equity in a worldwide sense.
format Article
id doaj-art-d14dfa61bac145edb21073b84474d30e
institution OA Journals
issn 2563-6499
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal
spelling doaj-art-d14dfa61bac145edb21073b84474d30e2025-08-20T02:04:06ZengMDPI AGSociété Internationale d’Urologie Journal2563-64992024-12-015688588910.3390/siuj5060070Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons LearnedArthur L. Burnett0The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USAUrologic healthcare in low- and middle-income countries is recognized to be underserved. The goal to improve urologic health outcomes for populations in these countries may be met through urologic humanitarian work, often brought about by aid workers with clinical expertise originating from high-income countries. This essay serves as a brief narrative review of the literature describing urologic outreach efforts brought to low- and middle-income countries and perspective on the purpose of these efforts. A range of urology-specific organizations are engaged in international volunteerism efforts. The foundation of this activity, to the greatest extent, can be characterized as international collaboration involving healthcare providers of the local region of service. Service activities include not just medical or surgical missions but span from clinical workshops to educational programming, faculty training programs, research enterprises and health care system initiatives. Whereas challenges confront aid workers primarily relating to difficult resources, there are definite rewards for humanitarian work. These rewards are not viewed only as a one-way proposition benefitting the local region receiving health care. Visiting aid workers also prosper by way of life lessons in service and humanity and an appreciation of health equity in a worldwide sense.https://www.mdpi.com/2563-6499/5/6/70healthcaremissionoutreachhealth equityinternationalglobal
spellingShingle Arthur L. Burnett
Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned
Société Internationale d’Urologie Journal
healthcare
mission
outreach
health equity
international
global
title Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned
title_full Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned
title_fullStr Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned
title_full_unstemmed Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned
title_short Humanitarian Urology in LMIC: Lessons Learned
title_sort humanitarian urology in lmic lessons learned
topic healthcare
mission
outreach
health equity
international
global
url https://www.mdpi.com/2563-6499/5/6/70
work_keys_str_mv AT arthurlburnett humanitarianurologyinlmiclessonslearned