Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T01:59:50.114Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ethics in humanitarian efforts: giving due credit to the local team

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 December 2018

Kathleen N. Fenton ,
Frank Molloy Open the ORCID record for Frank Molloy [Opens in a new window]  and
William M. Novick
Kathleen N. Fenton*
Affiliation:
William Novick Global Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, TN, USA
Frank Molloy
Affiliation:
William Novick Global Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, TN, USA
William M. Novick
Affiliation:
William Novick Global Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, TN, USA
*
Author for correspondence: K. N. Fenton, MD, MS 14805 Maydale Ct. Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA. Tel: +1 301 827 6523; E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

It has become increasingly apparent that only the truly effective humanitarian work emphasises empowering local practitioners. One problem, though, is that we are often seen as the “experts” who have come to “save” the children. This perception may adversely affect the confidence in the country’s own providers.

Methods

Non-profit organisations performing paediatric heart surgery in developing countries were identified from two sources: the CTSnet “volunteerism” web page and an Internet search using the term “Pediatric Heart Surgery Medical Mission.” The website of each organisation was reviewed, seeking a “purpose” or “mission” statement or summary of the organisation’s work. A separate Internet search of news articles was performed. The top five articles were analysed for each organisation, and the findings are then analysed using the Principlist and Utilitarian ethical systems.

Results

A total of 10 separate non-profit organisations were identified. The websites of eight (80%) placed significant emphasis on the educational aspects of their work and/or on interaction with local professionals. However, of 43 news articles reviewed, reporters mentioned education of, or interaction with, local professionals in only 14 (33%), and four out of 10 organisations studied had no mention of the local providers in any article.

Conclusions

Although non-profit organisations emphasise the teaching and programme-building aspects of their efforts, media reports largely focus on simpler and more emotional stories such as patient successes or large donations. Acknowledgement of the clinical and financial contributions of the host countries is both a duty following from the principle of justice and an important factor in long-term programme building.

Keywords

EthicshumanitarianCHD
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , February 2019 , pp. 195 - 199
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2018. 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Cite this article: Fenton KN, Molloy F, Novick WM. (2018) Ethics in humanitarian efforts: giving due credit to the local team. Cardiology in the Young page 195 of 199. doi: 10.1017/S1047951118002081

References

1. Dwyer, J. Global Health and Justice. Bioethics 2005; 19: 460–475.Google Scholar
2. Cardarelli, M, Molloy, F, Polivenok, I, et al. Worldwide Demand for Congenital Heart Surgery Programs and Surgeons. World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, 2013.Google Scholar
3. Dupuis, CC. Humanitarian missions in the third world: a polite dissent. Plast Reconstr Surg 2003; 113: 433–435.Google Scholar
4. Martiniuk, ALC, Manoucheherian, M, Negin, JA, Zwi, AB. Brain Gains: a literature review of medical missions to low and middle-income countries. BMC Health Serv Res 2012; 12: 134.Google Scholar
5. Leon-Wyss, JR, Veshti, A, Veras, O, et al. Pediatric cardiac surgery: a challenge and outcome analysis of the guatemala effort. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Pediatr Card Surg Ann 2009; 12: 8–11.Google Scholar
6. DeCamp, M. Ethical review of global short-term medical volunteerism. HEC Forum 2011; 23: 91–103.Google Scholar
7. DeCamp, M. Scrutinizing global short-term medical outreach. Hastings Center Rep 2007; 37: 21–23.Google Scholar
8. Novick, WM, Stidham, GL, Karl, TR, et al. Paediatric cardiac assistance in developing and transitional countries: the impact of a fourteen year effort. Cardiol Young 2008; 18: 316–323.Google Scholar
9. Dearani, JA, Neirotti, R, Kohnke, EJ, et al. Surgical care in developing countries: matching resources to need. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Pediatr Card Surg Ann 2010; 13: 35–43.Google Scholar
10. DeCamp, M. Scrutinizing global short-term medical outreach. Hastings Center Rep 2007; 37: 21–23.Google Scholar
11. DeCamp, M. Ethical review of global short-term medical volunteerism. HEC Forum 2011; 23: 91–103.Google Scholar
12. Wolfberg, AJ. Volunteering overseas – lessons from surgical brigades. N Engl J Med 2006; 354: 443–445.Google Scholar
13. Crump, JA, Sugarman, J. Ethical considerations for short-term experiences by trainees in global health. J Am Med Assoc 2008; 300: 1456–1458.Google Scholar
14. Creswell, JW. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage, Los Angeles, CA, 2014.Google Scholar
15. Beauchamp, T, Childress, J. Principles of Biomedical Ethics, 6th ed. Oxford University Press, New York, 2008.Google Scholar
16. Kant, I. Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2011.Google Scholar