Code of conduct for medical internships
Making a meaningful impact through ethical medical volunteering
Participants on a Projects Abroad medical programme can experience the challenges of healthcare in a global context, including places that operate using limited resources.
Through their work, they help to provide access to vital medical services in both a hospital and community setting for thousands of people every year.
Learn more about how our Medicine & Healthcare Projects make a positive contribution in the communities we work with in our annual Impact Report.
Our Principles
We use the following principles to inform the expectations and activities of our medical volunteers, interns, and placement partners:
- Non-maleficence: First, do no harm. All of our participants are committed to providing safe and appropriate care that prioritises the patient’s well-being. Participants should only conduct medical procedures or activities they are qualified, experienced, and confident to perform.
- Autonomy: We respect a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care, including the involvement of our medical interns in their treatment. Primary responsibility for their care will always lie with the local medical professional.
- Respect: We strive to understand and respect the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of the communities we serve.
- Community Engagement: We actively involve local communities and healthcare services in planning and implementing our medical programmes.
What we expect of medical volunteers and interns
We expect medical project participants to:
- Be responsible at all times and prioritise patients’ well-being
- Observe and learn, and respect the experience and knowledge of local medical professionals
- Be committed to ensuring the best possible medical care for patients, including only engaging with patients who have explicitly authorised medical intern observation and participation in their care
- Respect the privacy and wishes of patients and colleagues. In particular, photographs and videos should not be taken or shared (including on social media) without the consent of patients, colleagues, and Projects Abroad and should never reveal sensitive or personal information, including medical conditions or treatments.
- Be sensitive and mindful of cultural differences, and observe and respect the perspective of local medical professionals and patients.
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