The Professionalism and Ethics of Medical Mission Work

Abstract

Abstract Professionalism is grounded in the ethics of a given vocation. Professional conundrums can feel insurmountable even in the most regular of environments. Medical professionals entering the international setting to practice must be equipped with the knowledge of how to traverse these potentially perplexing professional quandaries. Global medicine is a fast-growing area of medical practice with medical trainees stating increased interest in participation in international venues. While international destinations provide excellent opportunities to gain diverse medical knowledge and nurture cultural sensitivity, there are many challenges that arise with minimal education on navigating them. Adding a new situation and occasionally culture and language makes ethical challenges absolute enigmas. This chapter uses a case-based approach to establish a framework for navigating new challenges in various different settings.