Brigades
What's a Brigade?
Glad you asked.
Medical/Dental volunteers can expect to work alongside local physicians, paramedics, and dentists to host a successful and efficient clinic. Volunteers will have the opportunity to triage patients, shadow physicians and dentists, and assist our pharmacist. Volunteers will also facilitate public health workshops, or “charlas.” Our focus on education empowers the community with the information necessary to take control of their own health. Once in country, volunteers will receive a comprehensive introduction to the specific health needs of the community they will work in.
What you'll do on a brigade:
EXPERIENCE
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Triage: students will take height/weight/blood pressure/heart rate/pulse etc.
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Consultation: students will shadow both American and local doctors, learn how they diagnose patients, types of questions they ask, doctor-patient interaction, etc.
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Pharmacy: Students administer the medications that the doctors prescribe; 100% of the medications we use in these clinics are brought by us, which is why fundraising is so important!
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Charla: Patient education on preventative health. Specifically, teach the community how to keep their teeth clean, sexual education.
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And more.
Let's talk brigade setup.
Here you can see the basic layout of our clinics. They are set up in local elementary schools, with each station in a classroom. Chapter leaders will assign each student’s rotation before each clinic day.
"Since I had brigaded before in Honduras, I had high expectations for Nicaragua and was not disappointed in the slightest. We were able to see hundreds of community members in the clinic, lay down concrete flooring for four homes, and began the three-month long trench digging project for water pipes. I especially enjoyed shadowing the local and volunteer doctors because of the one-on-one experience with the community members. I felt honored to be able to hear their unique and beautiful stories. My Nicaragua brigade experience was a great one, and I am very appreciative of the opportunity and of the lifelong friends I have made along the way."
- Dani H., Nicaragua Summer 2016
"Joining Global Medical Brigades was one of the best decisions I made in college (I wish I had found them sooner!). I made some really fantastic friends who all had similar interests in bettering society. Traveling to Honduras was such an enriching experience—I not only got clinical and volunteer experience, but I also developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of compassion and service. I wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything in the world!"
- Bianca K., Honduras Spring Break 2
"The brigade opened my eyes to the medical care that is needed in Panama, as well as their unique cultural norms in the rural areas. The gap between our health care and theirs was drastic. I learned that where we were, it was typical for young children to have mouthfuls of cavities. In the United States we are taught from the time we are toddlers how to brush our teeth, but there many share toothbrushes with other family members, or have possibly never even seen one. The medical portion aside, it was incredibly interesting to observe the cultural traditions of the Guna people. We were all fascinated by their elaborate jewelry, which for many is their source of income. Overall, the experience was incredibly gratifying and insightful and will be something I will never forget."
