Content Resources

Today we want to highlight a great resource from our annual conference - the audio version of the breakout sessions that are offered each year. These breakout sessions are FREE to members of MedicalMissions.com, and we hope you take advantage of going back and re-listening to your favorite sessions or catching some of the sessions that you missed. The highlighted session for today deals with resilience. Drawing principles from psychological research and Christian scriptures, this workshop will explore factors of resilience for those working in high risk, high stress cross-cultural work. Listeners will discover what enhances resilience and what contributes to decreased coping. The workshop will introduce practical resources for responding to stress and trauma with resilience, grace, and perseverance. We hope you enjoy this session! https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2018/sessions/how-medical-missionaries-can-be-resilient-in-the-midst-of-trauma-and-stress-2  

Today we are going to feature another story submitted to MedicalMissions.com. The story today is the powerful and real experience of working with refugee families. We hope you will find this story inspiring and that it might prompt you to share some of your own stories! During the horrific mid-20th century, my Omi along with her family was forced from her home in Europe. She was put into a Nazi boarding school in Germany but later escaped to Canada. However, my great-grandfather was sent to a “work camp” for his faith and was not seen again. While reflecting and reading about the inhumane situations created by the current conflicts in the Middle East I could only think of my Omi, and the worse sufferings that these current refugees were experiencing as they fled their homes. I knew I needed to act. Click HERE to read the rest of the story   

During the course of the past week, we have witnessed true devastation in the Bahamas due to the destruction of Hurricane Dorian. With sustained wind speeds of 185 miles per hour, Dorian is one of the worst storms in history. At least 43 people have been killed, but officials are warning that hundreds more are still missing. The United Nations believes at least 70,000 people are homeless on Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. All of this devastation is why Samaritan's Purse jumped into immediate action: "Samaritan's Purse has airlifted our Emergency Field Hospital and a medical team to the Bahamas, at the request of the World Health Organization and the Bahamas government. The 40-bed mobile facility can receive up to 100 patients daily and features an operating room with capacity for 10 surgeries per day, as well as an obstetrics ward with delivery room" (Hurricane Dorian Relief, samaritanspurse.org). Prior to deploying the Field Hospital, Samaritan's Purse had already sent 30 tons of emergency items and over a dozen disaster relief team specialists.  Many of you are wondering how you can be involved as a health care provider. Samaritan's Purse trains people just like you for times such as this. If you are interested in becoming part of their disaster relief team, learn more about their Disaster Assistance Response Teams.  You can also donate to the work that Samaritan's Purse is doing: Donate to Hurricane Dorian Relief Here at MedicalMissions.com, we always want you to have the resources you need to engage in wherever you feel that God is calling you. You might want to check out this breakout session, which was led by Dr. Elliott Tenpenny of Samaritan's Purse on The Biblical Call to Emergency Response.  If you are a nurse, this is a helpful article outlining ways for you to actively engage in relief efforts: Nurse Volunteers Kelly Sites, of Samaritan's Purse, also presented a breakout session about Nursing in Disaster Response Efforts Laura Smelter, Director of Training at Christian Health Service Corps presented a breakout session on Responding Well: Knowing and Applying International Principles and Standards in Disaster and Refugee Response We hope that this email will be a reminder to you of the gifts that God has given you and the many ways that you can use them. Our partner, Samaritan's Purse will be presenting their work at this year's GMHC, so we do hope to see you in November! GMHC 2019 Register Here

Medical missions is hard.  One could say that, if it isn’t hard, it isn’t medical missions.  As Christians, we are indisputably called to walk into the dark places of God’s creation and proclaim his glory and his love.  Our hands get dirty, and our hearts get beat up. A few months ago, at my hospital in Burundi, things were especially difficult.  Electricity was out.  The hematology machine was broken, as was the x-ray.  I had a slew of patients who didn’t necessarily seem incurable at their arrival, but despite all our efforts, they continued to worsen.  That's a particular challenge, since it feels like their being in the hospital is associated with them getting worse, instead of better.  With death, instead of life.  Every day I did rounds with a very green group of Burundian medical students, who had never been this entwined with caring for people this sick before. How do we bring hope?  For that matter, where is the hope?  How do I encourage my students to endure?  How do I beat off my own cynicism?  To avoid a premature resolution of this tension, let me be clear:  We believe in the free, eternal grace of God through Jesus.  We believe in eternal life, and we work to integrate evangelism into all that we do at our hospital.  However, neither my head nor my heart accepts that this annuls the awfulness of a young person dying of a preventable disease.  No one knows this better than Jesus, weeping at the tomb of his friend. Over the last several years, I have discussed these questions many times, with students or with visiting doctors, and each time I'm of course talking to myself as well.  There are as many answers as there are challenges, but I’ll share three things that have been an encouragement to me. First, if I want to be here when I can help, I also have to be here when I can't.  Every time my patient unexpectedly dies, or the test comes back positive for the non-treatable possibility, or my last therapeutic option just isn't working, part of me wants to abandon ship, to run away from all that I can't do.  I know that won't help my patients, but I guess I want to pretend that such situations don't exist, at least not in such a common and stark form. We can't know ahead of time whom we can help.  Sometimes we can make a great medical impact.  Other times, we can't.  The two are inextricably linked.  Part of what we love in medical missions is the chance to dramatically alter someone's life for the better.  Yet there is another side to that coin, because the magnitude and frequency of the tragedies go up, in a seemingly proportional manner.  This must be endured, but not just endured.  We have a calling here as well, for this is another place where we have to learn to trust God and find some way to bless and comfort these patients with the blessings and comfort that God has given us (2 Cor 1:3-4). Second, as Paul writes: Fight the good fight (1 Tim 6:12).  It feels like a fight.  It is a fight.  But it's a good fight.  So, let's keep fighting it. Third, though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16).  This is just as incredibly true for me as it is for my patients.  For though we are missionaries with a message to proclaim, part of our target audience is ourselves.  Part of where the kingdom needs to come is inside our own hearts.  So this hard road is God’s road of sanctification for us.  Thus, the doctor is the patient, and we all alike need the hope of the gospel that proclaims that suffering will be redeemed, that all things will be made new, and that our God is the God who, out of death, brings resurrection and eternal life.

"Am I 'called' to missions?" "How do I know if I'm called to missions and how can I be sure?" Every Christian considering serving in missions in any capacity has asked those questions, but what are the answers? In this session we will back up and ask a more basic question - "What do we mean by a "call?" The answer lies in comparing out ideas of "calling" with the Bible's teaching about how and why God guides his people. We’re taking some time to highlight some of the great resources that are available here at MedicalMissions.com. Today we wanted to point you to a breakout session from last year’s Global Missions Health Conference. This topic is always a popular one – Finding God’s Call for Your Life. In fact, it drives all that we do here at MedicalMissions.com! We hope you enjoy taking some time to listen to this session – you can also find these resources on the MedicalMissions.com Podcast. https://www.medicalmissions.com/resources/11519/gods-guidance-and-the-missionary-call

Systemic poverty often plagues the places where global health professionals serve. Grappling with this crushing reality can be overwhelming. Community health education is one tool that can help improve the well-being and dignity of those who suffer from the effects of poverty. The need for community health education in developing countries cannot be overstated. In many communities, the prevalence of problems such as pediatric/infant mortality, maternal mortality, and HIV/AIDS is alarmingly high. Health education interventions are effective in addressing many of the causes of child mortality. For example, studies show that better breastfeeding practices alone could save 800,000 lives per year. Dohn and Dohn’s article, “Short-Term Medical Teams: What They Do Well . . . and Not So Well” addresses this issue. They describe health education as one of those areas that medical groups do “not so well.” This is primarily because short-term volunteers often provide such education through translators and with inadequate cultural and worldview understanding. Consequently, it is unwise for use as outsiders to train local people without first learning their culture and developing relationships. The outcome will probably not be very positive. One model that has proven an effective short-term health education model is CHE (Community Health Evangelism). Primarily because it sees and understands poverty from an asset based approach instead of a needs based approach. See the global CHE Networks What is CHE?  Seeing Poverty in a Different Light Cross-cultural health education is challenging because we are faced with what many in the development world refer to as the “god-complex dilemma.” Jai Sarma presented these ideas at a workshop I attended many years ago. Jai was a longtime community development practitioner who serves as the head of Transformational Development at World Vision International. From his own heritage in India, he shared how westerners are often seen from the perspective of the poor. Our subconscious and subliminal attitudes can also drastically affect our interactions with the poor. He shared that poverty is to a large extent a manifestation of a marred identity and self-worth. Without adequate understanding, volunteers from developed countries leading health education classes in developing countries can further mar the identity of those they seek to serve. We need to train local people with extreme caution, sensitivity, and humility. We should learn as much about the culture, worldview, and life circumstances as possible. Another development practitioner also talks much about this idea of poverty being a manifestation of a marred identity; his name is Dr. Jayakumar Christian. In his book, God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of God, Dr. Christian discusses the forces that keep the poor trapped in poverty. This includes a poverty of being (a broken sense of identity), a poverty of relationships (societal relationships working to maintain their entrapment rather than empowering them), and a poverty of purpose (a lack of vision for the future and lack of a powerful sense of vocation). He advocates for a holistic response to the powerless of the poor and for building their sense of self through reconnecting with their God-given identity. How Do We Support Human Dignity? We all know the Bible has a lot to say about serving the poor, but how do we serve the poor in a way that supports human dignity? I believe this starts with intentional study of poverty, its roots, worldview and beliefs. The challenge is that in our efforts to meet human need we often reinforce and support the limiting beliefs of poverty. Chief of which is that the poor are victims of circumstance, instead of being created in the image of God, and stewards of His resources. The goal of healthcare missionaries is not just to meet tangible, physical needs. It is also to minister in ways that enhances human dignity. It is about inspiring growth in people and helping them build on their God given capacity. Many years ago, when I was serving with Mercy Ships, I was part of a leadership initiative to rewrite all the organizations core documents related to programs. I look back on this now as one of my greatest learning experiences in missions. The idea was to create a foundation for our work that truly supported human dignity. We reviewed a lot of the literature on poverty and decided to use Bryant Myers book, Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development as our blue print. This book along with Dr. Christian’s book noted above have had a significant impact on shaping my understanding of poverty. As such, these books also helped me lay the foundation of CHSC missions philosophy. Which is a philosophy that holds to an asset based (not needs based) approach. We believe strongly that both relief and development begin with the same starting point, building on, and supporting local capacity.

Understanding the statistical foundations of epidemiology can lead to a better knowledge of research and implementation of new practices. This interactive session will look at issues that stem from the emphasis on positive “p-value” and the need for confidence intervals. Also reviewed will be some of the statistical fundamentals in epidemiology, including but not limited to: sensitivity, specificity, odds, risk, and bias.

Long term mission in Uganda: Helping Heal Widespread Addiction In its urban populations, Uganda has one of the highest per capita rates of drug and alcohol addiction in the entire sub-Saharan region. Since it is difficult to determine the prevalence of addiction in far-flung rural areas, there are only estimates about how high the country's actual rate may be.   Adding to the problem is some societal beliefs in Uganda and other places. Some people do not consider alcohol consumption to be a problem or a disorder that requires treatment. People who are suffering from alcohol addiction may be unlikely to seek treatment because they do not believe that their alcohol use is a problem that needs correction. They may also fear facing the cultural stigmas associated with addiction and with seeking help.  If you are an addiction treatment expert who is considering becoming involved in treatment missions, Uganda is a country that may need your help.   Uganda’s Problems with Addiction   Unlike addiction treatment in First World countries such as the United States, the treatment resources in Third World countries are limited. Fortunately, there are several rehabilitation volunteer programs that allow professionals to go abroad to treat drug and alcohol addiction. The need for education that will help people understand addiction and move beyond limiting beliefs about addiction treatment is paramount.   According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, alcoholism is one of the top causes of psychiatric problems in Uganda. It also contributes to the poverty rate because substance abuse may make it difficult for sufferers to work or maintain employment. Even if they can manage employment, they may spend a substantial amount of their earnings on alcohol instead of essentials.   Along with the erroneous belief that alcoholism is a curable health problem, there are not sufficient resources to treat people with addictions in Uganda. Unfortunately, Uganda’s cultural beliefs sometimes conflict with other beliefs about addiction, creating shame and stigmas that further alienate addicted people and prevent them from seeking help.   Since there is a lack in public education in the country and the Ugandan government does not regulate substances such as alcohol, stronger actions are needed. A study about alcoholism in Uganda reported that 55 percent of respondents did not seek treatment for their alcoholism because they did not think it was a treatable problem. Other respondents refused treatment out of shame or for other reasons.     The Effects of War and Poverty on Addiction   Poverty and addiction are pressing social issues in many countries, including Uganda. In addition to poverty, the nation faces widespread social and economic issues, including unemployment and illiteracy.   Uganda is still dealing with the fallout from war and invasion by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The LRA subjected the people of the region to rampant, indiscriminate violence and oppression. Murder, rape, enslavement, and forced military service for children in the area was common.   Without adequate resources to cope with the unspeakable things that happened to them, some people have sought to handle their trauma in any way possible, including using alcohol to numb their pain. The war left people mutilated, traumatized, and orphaned. Although Uganda is making some inroads to recovery, much still needs to be done to address the war’s devastating effects on the people of the country.   Since there is a lack of public knowledge about addiction, education is essential to encourage addicted individuals to seek treatment. People have not considered alcohol consumption to be a treatable problem in Uganda. Not enough attention has focused on the devastating impact alcohol may have on specific communities, such as pregnant women.   Volunteers talk with people in communities and schools to educate them about addiction and make them aware of options that are available to them. The ability to communicate key information in an easy-to-understand and creative way is an asset.        The Value of Volunteering in Uganda   If you are seeking a picturesque country with a host of geological wonders, Uganda is your place. Within its borders, the country contains broad savannas, dense forests, and majestic mountain ranges. The country is one of the few places where people can see the endangered gorilla. Visiting Uganda gives people the chance to see these majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat.   By nature, Ugandans are warm and welcoming people who go out of their way to make visitors feel at home. Hospitality is cultural. Activities to enjoy in Uganda include hiking and bungee jumping. The cuisine is also delicious and there are many restaurants to enjoy excellent local fare.    The Importance of Sharing Your Skills with Those in Need   You have training and skills that can help educate and assist people who are struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. Joining a mission may help you share your talents and compassion with people who may need information and treatment.   Consider contributing to the important work of healing the devastating addiction problems in other countries. If you are looking for a way to make a difference and use your education, training, and experience, helping fight addiction in Uganda may be a good option for you.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adolescents get at least one hour of physical activity each day. It shouldn’t be breaking news that children need exercise. In fact, we are all aware that increased exercise for kids will promote healthy development, prevent chronic disease, and decrease problems such as obesity. Helping kids enjoy being active will set them up to become stronger and healthier teens and adults. Childhood obesity has become a serious epidemic over the last decade, and there are many contributing factors; however, one of the biggest causes is that kids have become more sedentary over the past 10 years or so. In other words, they’re spending a lot more time sitting than they used to. Kids are spending several hours every day in front of a screen (TVs, smartphones, tablets, and other devices). For most kids, there is far too much screen time and not enough physical activity, which can lead to the greater problem of childhood obesity. Check out this guide provided by Maryville University that includes a list of resources and articles about activities and exercises for children in grades K-12 with the goal of promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Medical Disclaimer: The content of this post is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified health professional for doubts and questions. Cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD oil, is breaking new grounds in the healthcare industry. It is being touted as a cure for chronic pain, depression, arthritis, and a broad range of maladies in many health and wellness websites on the internet. Studies regarding its benefits and side-effects are still nascent, but early research is very promising. Though CBD is derived from the same Cannabis Sativa plant as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC or “weed”), it is nonpsychoactive. That is, CBD oil does not get you high whereas THC does. Unsurprisingly, CBD oil has been receiving massive attention in recent years given all the potential health benefits it may possess. The question is, can it help with pesky skin problems too? Recent research from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests that it most certainly can. Here’s how CBD oil can help alleviate these five of the most commonly diagnosed skin problems: Acne Itchy and Dry Skin (Eczema) Redness and Skin Bumps (Rosacea) Scaly and Itchy Skin (Psoriasis)  Cold Sores Let’s take a comprehensive look at each of them: 1.   CBD Oil for Acne: Acne is a very common skin problem (especially among teens) that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Excessive oil secretion, bacteria, and unregulated production of Androgens (a hormone) are all major contributing factors to Acne development.   It is a chronic (long-lasting) skin problem that can be managed with treatments like antibiotics, topical creams, and so on. But these conventional treatments often have a lot of side effects and are bad for your long-term health. CBD, however, is generally well tolerated and considered safe.   The sebaceous glands and hair follicles contain CB1 and CB2 receptors, just like many other organs in our body. These receptors communicate with the nervous system to trigger diverse effects, such as reduction of inflammation. CBD oil can decrease acne because of its anti-inflammatory characteristics that act to reduce the visible inflammation induced by clogged hair follicles. It stimulates the endocannabinoid system, which includes anandamide, a neurological transmitter that regulates cell growth. If not balanced, it can negatively affect the skin. CBD oil also helps inhibit excessive oil secretion, which is one of the principal causes of acne.     Another benefit of CBD oil over prescription medications is that it solely targets the problem-causing cells. It does not affect the healthy cells thus reducing side effects such as dry and irritated skin.   The easiest way to use CBD oil for acne is in a topical form, such as a cream or lotion. But you can also take CBD oil supplements in the form of pills.   2. CBD Oil for Itchy and Dry Skin: Eczema is another very common skin condition that causes the skin to become dry, itchy, red, and cracked. It is often recurring and chronic. There are numerous treatment options but unfortunately, there is no cure. The cause of this skin malady is not very well understood yet. Conventional treatments such as topical steroid creams (corticosteroids) have shown mixed results. Also, prolonged use of such creams causes undesirable side effects. However, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA): “It has long been observed that cannabinoids possess anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-itch qualities” with research dating back to the first textbook of dermatology referencing a use for cannabis in treating skin conditions. The anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of cannabinoids applied topically may help improve eczema. According to researchers at the University of Colorado, CBD can be used as a natural alternative to commonly-used steroids. One of the leading researchers, Dr. Robert Dellavalle, said: “There’s a large segment of the population that doesn’t like using steroids, even if they are topical steroids on their skin. CBD could be an alternative, natural product for them to try.” Several researchers maintain that CBD offers immense potential in regulating natural skin processes. Besides, the new topically-applied treatments of CBD have already been cleared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as having no potential for abuse or harm, as various clinical trials have marked positive outcomes on the symptoms of Eczema. CBD oil for eczema can also be taken in the form of capsules or sublingually. 3. CBD Oil for Redness and Skin Bumps:   Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition among people with fair skin. Its symptoms are facial redness or “flushing” of the skin, which is often accompanied by small, pus-filled bumps or pimples. It can also cause red, watery eyes; dry, swollen skin; and a burning or itchy feeling. This very visible affliction is often the source of low self-esteem and social anxiety. As in the case of eczema, rosacea has no known cure. However, its symptoms can be controlled with a variety of approved treatments such as oral or topical antibiotics and steroidal creams or gels. Again, these treatments are long-term, so there are bound to be some side-effects. Constant use of oral antibiotics can cause stomach ailments like nausea, and topical antibiotics can lead to more skin problems such as itchiness, inflammation, and hives. Also, long-term use of steroidal creams can worsen the symptoms. Because cannabis is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, CBD oil can help decrease the redness and inflammation. Stress and anxiety often trigger flare-ups, but they can be better managed with the use of CBD. A study conducted by the University of Bonn, Germany, in 2013, uncovered that the topical administration of THC helped decrease the symptoms of inflammation which are allergy-induced. The researchers concluded that this has “important implications for the development of future strategies that use cannabinoids in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases” such as rosacea.   So, the best way to use CBD oil for treating rosacea is the topical administration of creams or ointments. Oral administration of CBD oil can also be very beneficial.   4. CBD Oil for Scaly and Itchy Skin:   Another itchy and often painful skin condition is psoriasis. It occurs due to rapid overproduction of skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin. Occasionally the skin patches can crack and bleed. People with psoriasis may also experience swelling and inflammation in other parts of the body.   Unfortunately, psoriasis too is a chronic skin condition, currently without any cure. Its treatments include steroid creams, occlusion, light therapy and oral medications, such as biologics. But again, all the treatments are having a long-term administration which results in them becoming less effective over time (along with side-effects). A 2007 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science observed that CBD may offer curative value for psoriasis by slowing down the overgrowth of certain skin cells. Also, a 2016 review supports the idea that cannabinoids may prove to be useful for the treatment of psoriasis. Anecdotal evidence shows that topical CBD oil supplies a significant volume of moisture to the affected site which helps heal broken and cracked skin. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory qualities of cannabidiol alleviate the burning and flaking of patchy skin, reducing redness and dryness almost instantly.   Injury or infections to your skin can produce flare-ups, but the antioxidant components of CBD oil can mitigate the infection that aggravates the conditions. 5. CBD Oil for Cold Sores Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) which occur in the form of tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips. They are contagious and spread easily by casual contact. Thus, they are very common.   They usually resolve by themselves within two to four weeks, however, the virus remains in the bloodstream and can be reactivated repeatedly. Besides being painful and itchy, cold sores can cause a fever and make you feel self-conscious.   While not yet concretely confirmed, in addition to being a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, CBD oil also possesses anti-viral properties. Usually, people prefer to apply infused topical CBD creams and ointments directly to cold sores, however, using CBD in the form of oil tinctures is a smarter way. This is because oil tinctures pack more CBD molecules in a smaller volume and are more potent than creams. Consequently, oil tinctures fight HSV-1 pathogens and clear up the inflammatory-induced sores and blisters at a quicker rate. To use CBD in the form of oil tinctures, simply apply it to the affected regions and massage gently for about 90 seconds to allow proper absorption.   A Word of Caution If you’re planning on using CBD oil for any skin problem, or even in general, make sure to pay close attention to the product you’re picking. For the past three years, the FDA has been issuing letters of warning to many companies for touting “CBD oils” that contain nominal amounts of active cannabinoids, thus duping customers.   Always talk to your doctor before going down this relatively new path of treatment. Above all, stay vigilant, stay safe!   Author Bio: Joy Smith is a speaker, mentor, and entrepreneur. After trying a number of poor quality CBD products, she teamed up with her family to develop an organically grown, full spectrum hemp oil to help people suffering from several ailments.  

Possessing advanced degrees can open job opportunities that offer incentives such as health insurance coverage. Additionally, the Brookings Institution indicates that a post-secondary degree can serve as a buffer against unemployment during economic downturns. There is no question that research supports pursuing a higher education. The potential value of the degree goes beyond finances, and has direct correlations to physical, mental, and emotional health. Plus, you can share the benefits of a higher education with your family and those closest to you. To learn more, check out this infographic created by Maryville University.

In today’s competitive academic environment, being a student can be stressful. But managing the many responsibilities of school while struggling with a mental health issue can be even more challenging. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1 in 6 people in the United States are diagnosed with some form of mental illness. Yet the stigma attached to mental illness prevents many from seeking the appropriate treatment, raising the need for increased awareness about mental health resources for students.