TRIP REPORT GUIDELINES

The primary purpose of this report is to provide feedback that will enable HVO to properly monitor and evaluate programs and to make necessary modifications in the design and implementation of programs as needed. This report also provides HVO/Washington with information about how to improve the orientation process and other support services for the volunteer prior to departure.

Please submit your report directly to the Washington office as soon as possible after your return. We will share a copy with the Program Director and other appropriate persons. The Program Director may share your report (or parts of it) with the site. Selected portions of your report may also be used in the HVO newsletter, annual report, web site, or other promotional materials. Your report may be posted on the HVO KnowNET and available to future volunteers. If you want your report to be kept confidential, note this on the report and we will honor your request.

Attached is a suggested format for this report. Please do not feel constrained to cover all these topics, especially if they are not relevant to your particular situation. If you are a returning volunteer to this site, focus on the changes/improvements that you see at the site. We also encourage you to write a short article on your experience for publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the article for our files.

 

A. Vital Information

Name and contact information (preferred telephone number and e-mail), country of service, and dates of assignment.

 

B. Activities

Provide a review of activities undertaken during your assignment. This should include a summary of your teaching and clinical activities; a list of lectures given; a description of the interaction you had with the trainees; and a description of any training methodologies used. Also highlight any particular strengths/weaknesses that you feel the trainees have so that future volunteers may be able to address these. How do you feel that your activities related to your understanding of what the Program Director wanted you to accomplish. What did you feel was your major contribution to the site?

 

C. Assessment

Did your activities meet the needs of 1) the local people; 2) the host institution; 3) your counterpart; and 4) the trainees? If not, why? Were you able to devote as much time to training-related activities as you thought appropriate? If not, why? Was there one person (patient, colleague, family member of a patient) who really touched you during your trip? Why?

For repeat volunteers - did you see any changes in the delivery of care or in outcomes that are the result of the HVO training? If so, please elaborate on this. Is the program having an impact? Please be as specific as possible - include anecdotes or stories that serve to illustrate these changes.

 

D. Cross Cultural Interaction

Were there significant cultural differences between yourself and your counterpart(s) that significantly decreased your effectiveness as a volunteer? Are there specific cultural issues that you feel future volunteers should be aware of (e.g. male/female dynamics, divergent attitudes towards work, different perceptions of professional roles, etc.)?

 

E. Orientation

Was your pre-departure briefing(s) from the Program Director adequate and appropriate? Did you have a good idea of what you were expected to accomplish during your visit? Were the orientation materials in Orientation Packet and on the HVO KnowNET helpful?

 

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F. Living Conditions

Please provide a brief comment on the living conditions including:

1. housing
2. local transportation
3. entertainment
4. activities for spouses and families

Note any changes that need to be made to the Program Description regarding the living situation.

 

G. Suggestions

Do you have suggestions for changes and/or improvements in:

1. Types of activities the volunteer is expected to engage in
2. the linkage and communication between HVO/Washington, the Program Director, the host institution, and the volunteer
3. The pre-departure orientation

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H. Summary

All in all, was this a worthwhile experience? Would you go again? What was the most memorable moment of your trip?

 

I. Additional Materials Needed

If you developed any educational materials for this assignment (handouts, PowerPoint presentations, resource lists, etc) please send them to HVO for posting on the KnowNET. We also encourage you to send us digital photos of your experience. We are always looking for photos of volunteers in action and other scenes that we can use on the web site and in our printed materials.

Depending on the size of these items, it may be easiest to put them on a CD-Rom along with your trip report and mail them to HVO at the address below.

 

We prefer that you submit your Trip Report via e-mail to info@hvousa.org. You may also submit your Trip Report via mail or fax.

Health Volunteers Overseas
1900 L Street, NW #310
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 296-0928; Fax: (202) 296-8018
E-mail: info@hvousa.org

 

revised: 10/09

 

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