Guatemala 2024
In August 2024, twelve Physician Assistant students, two Physician Assistant faculty members, one physician, one physician assistant, one nurse, and five non-medical volunteers traveled to Zacapa, Guatemala for one week.
The students, along with in-country interpreters and a local physical therapist, were able to offer basic healthcare and health education to 400 medical patients in five different communities. This opportunity was possible through a partnership with Hearts in Motion, an international organization whose mission is to provide quality medical care and assist in developing social programs to improve the health, education, and welfare of the people they serve in the U.S., and South and Central America. The experience allowed students to gain first-hand medical care experience in an area with limited medical resources. Common problems encountered included dehydration, headache, gastrointestinal diseases, and chronic joint pain in addition to chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.
With financial support from fundraising efforts and private donations, the students distributed 100 water filters to families with poor-quality water sources. The students educated family members on the proper use and maintenance of the filters, which can last for 10 years. The use of water filters helps reduce the high prevalence of diarrheal diseases and the effects of dehydration while improving the overall quality of life in a sustainable manner.
Partnering with Days for Girls International, the students distributed 60 menstrual packs to women and girls in these communities. The students educated the recipients about their reproductive system with a sustainable, cost-effective solution to help manage menstruation.
Through this experience, students gained a deeper understanding of the role social determinants of health play in healthcare accessibility and outcomes, which can be difficult to appreciate in the classroom setting. Although some of the barriers and disparities differ, the exposure to the social determinants of health that students obtained in the communities of Zacapa, Guatemala will better prepare them to meet the needs of their patients and the communities in which they live in the U.S.
