This article considers some aspects of quality of care for short-term medical mission teams. Results of an intervention using patient-care cards provide a basis for discussion of some cultural, missiological, and operational factors that may negatively impact quality of care. Alternative styles for short-term health mission teams arise from a comparison of the underlying assumptions of short-term medical missions that are at odds with the current trends in health missions toward community-based, transformational development ministries. Responsibility for the quality of care and for understanding the relevant factors ultimately rests with the health professionals on the short-term teams.
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