Short-term medical service trips: what is the cost of patient care and student training?

Background: Evaluations of the costs and effects of medical service trips (MSTs) are increasingly necessary. Estimates of costs can inform decision making to determine if participation is likely to be a wise use of resources. Methods: This study estimates the costs and effects of a 1-week MST for 20 health professions students and seven providers to the Dominican Republic. Costs were defined as direct costs for students and providers and opportunity costs for providers. Effects were defined as the cost to treat one patient and the cost to train one student. Students were surveyed about their costs before and after the MST. Most provider costs were assumed to be the same as those of the students. Results: The mean direct cost per student was US$1764 and US$2066 for providers. Total opportunity costs for seven providers was US$19 869. The total cost for the trip was US$69 612 to treat 464 patients. With and without provider opportunity costs, the cost to treat one patient was US$150 and US$107, and the cost to train one student was US$3481 and US$2487, respectively. Conclusions: Short-term MSTs may be more expensive than previously thought. The cost to treat one patient was similar to a medical office visit in the USA.