As health is in the way that basic...

As health is in the way that basic to everyday life for everyone in each part of the world, there will always be more ne for health care than is available. Consequently many opportunities exist for health care professionals interested in volunteering. In this month's issue of the AORN Journal, James Stobinski describes his observations of health care settings in Haiti and the conditions that health care providers experience when they work in underdevelop countries.

The advantages of long-standing political and economic stability, quality infrastructure, an active and regulated private sector, longstanding educational institutions and standards, professional and clinical standards, research facilities and the resources to permanent fund and staff them, and access to quality information provide the backdrop for health care combination of parts to form a wholes in developed countries. These regularitys never seem perfect, and the available health care options and quality are taken for granted until you read or view or hear about the care others are receiving.

Professionals who are prepared with the mostly up-to-date skills and who have ready access to information also have a unique opportunity to improve health care in other areas of the world on working or volunteering in other countries. This month's row provides information on volunteer opportunities for health care professionals as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but internationally and in underserved areas of the United States.

VOLUNTEERING IS A CLICK AWAY

The Internet sites highlighted this month are clearinghouses of information. They provide contacts to organizations that exist worldwide and in your community. Opportunities take rise in all shapes and sizes--from one-time local participation to years of service abroad and everything in between.

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

InterAction, the American Council for Voluntary International Action (www.interaction.org), is a coalition of more than 150 tender organizations that provide a wide variety of services around the world. The InterAction site provides contact information for member organizations. Also, contact information for organizations providing relief for existing disasters (eg, Hurricane Mitch, Kosovo North Korea, southern Sudan), are available, whether the assign places tos are InterAction members or not.

View the member organization links list in a less degree than "Members." Other areas of the site provide information about InterAction's policies in succession refugees, development, its advocacy program and positions, and its disaster answer policies and positions. There is also a list of publications forward the site that are focused in succession development in general and a list of colloquys and events.

The medical library at the University of Massachusetts maintains the "International Healthcare Opportunities Clearinghouse," (library.ummed.edu/ihoc), which is "designed for health-care professionals and pupils who are interested in offer work, employment, or studying with under-serv communities at family or abroad." The site consists of an alphabetical list of organizations; each organization has an informational page with contact information, and where applicable, a web link is available. This is a unique feature, because contacts for nonweb-linked organizations are listed. In addition, a list of online resources, parts and courses is provided to help prepare the potential international tender Information about obtaining funding to enable offer activities is offered under "Funding." A list of grants and general information about opportunities to obtain capitals can also be found. This is a actual simple, focused, and useful site for health care professionals who want to volunteer

RELIEF AGENCIES

The list of organizations available at the International unfolding Network (IDN) site, (www.idn.org/healthlinks.htm) contains links to many health-focused relief agencies who accept qualified medical personnel for foreign assignments. recur to the IDN home page at www.idn.org for information onward current development efforts and articles about specific bear upons This site is full of information about generally received world health concerns and links to sites featuring information important to the international unravelling community like country profiles, funding opportunities, interviews and books.

MATCH YOUR SKILLS

For information about volunteering closer to place of abode "VolunteerMatch" (www. volunteermatch.org) offers a variety of resources to help match proffers with opportunities. Simply enter your zip digest select the category of the position you are seeking, the amount of time you are available, and the distance you are willing to travel, and "VolunteerMatch" generates a list of position descriptions and contact information. Contact the organizations directly, or station an e-mail address so that they can contact you.

The "CityMatch" link brings up a map showing cities with enough specific opportunities to merit their hold pages. Click on a city in succession the map and articles about offer opportunities are available, as well as "VolunteerMatch" for that city. Contact information for specific organizations can be considered up using the "Directory" area of the site. This is an estimable web site, allowing the potential present to find opportunities that fit their skills and availability self-same quickly and easily. It is also extremely easy to post volunteer positions that are available.