A narrative review of protocols for the management of respiratory illness on short-term medical missions (STMMs) in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

# Background Respiratory illnesses are prevalent on short-term medical missions (STMMs) in Latin America and the Caribbean, and commonly include upper respiratory infections, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. There have been no previous attempts to describe protocols that international volunteer clinicians use in managing these patients. The purpose of this study was to collect North American clinical protocols used by sending organizations in their volunteer operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, summarize the most common pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies, and compare these to published international practice recommendations. # Methods A systematic web search was used to identify North American medical service trip sending organizations. Clinical protocols were downloaded from their websites, and organizations were directed contacted to request protocols that were not published online. The protocols obtained were summarized, analyzed thematically, and compared to existing international guidelines. # Results Of 225 organizations contacted, 112 (49.8%) responded, and 31 of these (27.7%) claimed to possess protocols for their trips, of which 20 were obtained and analyzed. Four (20%) protocols discussed asthma, six (30%) discussed upper respiratory infections, and three (15%) discussed lower respiratory infections. The protocols discussed clinical assessment, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management with variable degrees of accuracy and thoroughness, and with important omissions when compared to international guidelines. None were the product of systematic literature searches, and most were not referenced. # Conclusions To avoid ineffective treatment and related harms, context-specific clinical guidelines are needed for volunteer clinicians practicing in remote international settings, and such guidelines should be based on best evidence and stakeholder consensus.