Medical Missions

You can Impact Body & Soul in Guatemala through Medical Missions!

If you are interested in booking a medical mission, please fill out an Interest Form

Medical missions treat injuries and common illnesses – but also provide opportunities to pray for the patients! By experiencing the love of Christ in this tangible way, many begin the journey of coming to know the everlasting love of Jesus Christ

Who can go?

we have opportunities for a wide variety of medical, dental and vision care practitioners

What will we do?

learn what a medical mission looks like in Guatemala

Common Questions

find the answers to common questions about medical missions

The Impact Ministries Clinic

providing health and dental care, as well as outreach clinics

Who can go?

We have Medical Mission opportunities for individuals with medical or dental training, such as:

Doctors
Nurse practitioners
EMTs/Paramedics
Medical technicians
Medical students

Dentists
Dental hygienists
Pharmacists
Nurses
Nursing students

Ophthalmologists
Optometrists
Physiotherapists
Chiropractors
Interpreters with medical experience

Spanish is an asset, but is not required. Impact Ministries provides translators for our medical practitioners.

You can form your own team, join an existing medical team or contact us for more options. We may also be able to arrange for you to spend some time serving in the clinic if you are a medical practitioner coming with a non-medical Impact team.

When a Medical Mission Team consisting of at least 2-3 individuals with medical or dental training is formed, other support personnel are welcome to join the team as well.

For information on leading or scheduling a medical mission, or to connect with an existing team, please fill out an interest form.

Interest Form

(Not a medical practitioner? Check out our other Impact Trips here)

What will we do?

You will provide much needed health care in our clinic, at our schools, or in remote mountain villages surrounding Tactic, Guatemala. Medical & dental clinics take place five days a week, with opportunities for outreach activities in the evenings and on the weekends.

Health care may include:

treating injuries & common illnesses
wellness checks & screenings
dental care
vision care
healthy living instruction
illness prevention

Impact Ministries has been hosting medical missions from across Canada since the year 2000. Once a medical or dental team has been formed, we work with the team leader to develop a ministry agenda that uses the team’s unique gifting and abilities. For more information, please fill out an interest form.

Fill out an interest form to learn more

Interest Form

I have more questions

Questions Doctors Ask

What type of patients do you see?

We function as a primary care facility and treat all ages. However, because of the schools and staff, there is a predominance of children and women.

What kinds of conditions do you see?

We see patients typical of a primary care practice, with some more urgent medical illnesses. We also see chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma and arthritis.

What type of medications do you have available?

We have a complete pharmacy to treat most illnesses that a primary care physician would see. We generally have 3-5 meds to treat each of these conditions.

How do patients get the medications?

We have a pharmacy that provides the medication free of charge. They are usually dispensed by a pharmacist on the team or by our experienced local nursing staff.

What medical conditions might we see that aren’t common in North America?

You are more likely to see worsening chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, which are poorly controlled due to inability to get medical care or patient noncompliance. We see diseases that are typical for emerging countries, such as parasites (worms and scabies), diarrhea illness, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiency.

How long is the trip?

The standard trip is 11 days. This allows for travel, cultural events and 5 days in the clinic.

Is there follow-up after I leave?

Impact has a local primary care physician with set monthly hours who can follow up with patients. Appointments can be made through our nursing staff, who can also contact him for assistance with patients needing specialty care.

Do I have to bring my own team?

You can form your own team, join an existing medical team or contact us for more options. We encourage people to bring their own teams of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, etc, if possible. A person can also be added to an existing medical team. That can be arranged through the Impact team coordinator.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

The clinic has the tools that would normally be seen in a primary care office, but we recommend bringing your own stethoscope. You can bring other portable equipment that you like that may not always be found in an office.

What medical testing is available?

Urine pregnancy test, urine dip test, blood sugar and fetal heart Doppler. We can send patients out to a local lab to get other tests if necessary, but rarely do that secondary to cost.

How can I incorporate my faith in the context of medical mission?

The goal of our clinic is to build spiritual relationships to create opportunities for sharing the Gospel. We encourage you to take the time to listen to patients, and even to pray with them at the end of your visit. God may use your interactions to help that person understand the riches of His love. Medical Missions is about more than meeting physical needs, and spiritual care often has the greatest impact.

Are longer term opportunities available?

Typically, we suggest you make the 11-day trip to see if it is a good fit for you. If it is, you can talk with local staff to see if there is an opportunity available in the Impact clinic.

Who can I contact with more questions?

If you have more questions, please contact medicalmissions@impactministries.ca

Questions Dentists Ask

What types of patients do you see?

Primarily, you will be serving the dental needs of the students from ages 4 or 5 to adolescent with a permanent dentition. You may also see a variety of adult patients, including teachers and other ministry workers.

What is commonly seen regarding dental treatment requirements?

It is common to see advanced caries among the children due to a lack of education and oral hygiene. These decays are often associated with chronic or acute infection conditions. With the inclusion of a fluoride and toothbrushing program at the school, decay rates have noticeably improved, but are still prevalent.

How many patients a day am I expected to treat?

You can request the number of patients you wish to see in a day, and the staff will accommodate your request.

Are there support staff there to assist, or do I need to bring my own staff?

Currently, there are two staff that are knowledgeable about the clinic. They are aware of what is available and where things are. They will order supplies as needed from a Guatemalan dental supplier in Guatemala City. Also, there is a national dentist who works in the clinic approximately 12 days a month, so there is continuity of care and an ongoing presence in the clinic. However, it may be helpful to have someone along chairside who can assist with your particular needs.

What types of procedures are you able to do?

You will be able to provide extractions procedures, basic restorative procedures (fillings, SS crowns), hygiene (we have a Kavo Sonic scaler), and preventative procedures (fluoride, silver diamine, glass ionomer caries control).

How many dental rooms are available?

There is one fully equipped operatory, a second with a chair, light and unit and there are portable chairs that can be set up to facilitate patient visits.

Do I need to bring any instruments and supplies?

There is a good selection of instruments for the above-mentioned procedures. If you have a favorite instrument or material, please bring it along; otherwise, basic procedure needs are looked after. Do not bring medications or local anesthetics with you, as this can create a problem at customs.

What is available regarding sterilization, disinfection and PPE?

We currently have two Pelton and Crane steam sterilizers that have a turnaround time of approximately 35 minutes. The packages are monitored with indicators. We have good products from Metrex regarding surface disinfection, and gloves and masks are available. You will need to bring your own clinic attire, as scrubs, etc. are not provided.

Are antibiotics and pain medications available?

There is a fully stocked pharmacy at the clinic that will be able to supply antibiotics and pain medications.

How long is the trip?

The standard trip is 11 days. This allows for travel, cultural events and 5 days in the clinic.

Are longer term opportunities available?

Typically, we suggest you make the 11-day trip to see if it is a good fit for you. If it is, you can talk with local staff to see if there is an opportunity available in the Impact clinic.

Do you work in remote locations?

We have the ability to take portable units, dental chairs and a handheld x-ray unit to remote locations and provide service in these areas.

How can I incorporate my faith in the context of dental mission?

The goal of our clinic is to build spiritual relationships to create opportunities for sharing the Gospel. We encourage you to take the time to listen to patients, and even to pray with them at the end of your visit. God may use your interactions to help that person understand the riches of His love. Dental Missions is about more than meeting physical needs, and spiritual care often has the greatest impact.

Who can I contact with more questions?

If you have more questions, please contact medicalmissions@impactministries.ca