Medical Team

      
Scope of practice:
Office based care of acute and chronic respiratory problems, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, hypertension), gastrointestinal diseases, and psychosocial conditions (e.g. depression, domestic violence), plus other complaints commonly seen in a general family or internal medicine practice.

Specialties who have worked with us on previous missions:
Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, and we have had subspecialists attend (Endocrinology, Nephrology, General Surgery, and Oncology)

Additional Information:
Bilingual English-Spanish helpful but not required.

In Laredo we utilize the Wal-Mart $4/$10 formulary ($10 for a 90 day supply).  We pay for (and deliver to the mission site for patient pick up) these prescriptions at the time of the mission.  For chronic medications, we will give refills for up to a year for the patients to fill at their expense.

In Costa Rica, we utilize the public health department’s formulary (we provide a copy for you) and all medicines prescribed are provided and paid for by Costa Rican Department of Health at no cost to the patients.
 

Laredo:                
3 adult medicine providers minimum. 4 would be ideal
0 pediatric providers:  but I would not turn any down if someone (1) wanted to go
 
Costa Rica:         
2 adult medicine providers, minimum (3 would be ideal)
2 pediatric providers
 
Note:  nurse practitioners (NP) require physician supervision (so must be paired with a physician; e.g. could not work in outreach alone).  Physician assistants (PA) may work independently without direct physician supervision.