Mission Preparations

Preparing for an international medical mission is an exciting part of your journey. Whether this is your first medical mission trip or you’re an experienced global health volunteer, thoughtful preparation will help you arrive informed, confident, and ready to serve.

International Medical Relief’s medical mission preparation resources will help you understand what to expect before you travel, what to pack for a medical mission, required travel documents, health and safety considerations, international travel logistics, volunteer expectations, and how to prepare for working in communities and clinical settings around the world.

How Do I Prepare for a Medical Mission Trip?

Start by reviewing the resources on this page and your IMR Team Guide. As your departure approaches, you’ll receive additional mission-specific information about your destination, travel, accommodations, team, clinic experience, and other important details.

Preparation isn’t only about passports, flights, and packing. It’s also about understanding the community you’ll be serving, your role on the team, your scope of practice, cultural humility, patient dignity, and what it means to serve responsibly alongside local healthcare professionals and community partners.

We’re so happy to have you traveling with us. Please read the materials provided for your mission, participate in your scheduled conference calls, and stay current with emails from IMR. Some information is time-sensitive and may change as your departure approaches.

Your team will also participate in a departure call approximately two to three weeks before your mission. This call provides final mission details and an opportunity to ask questions before you travel. Our office will send scheduling information by email.

If something isn’t clear, please ask. We’re here to help you prepare every step of the way. You can always reach us at hello@imrus.org or 970-635-0110.

We look forward to working with you as you prepare for your mission—and to hearing the stories, lessons, and experiences you bring home.

Start with Your IMR Team Guide

Please download, print, or save the IMR Team Guide PDF to your device. It provides an overview of the information you’ll need to prepare for your journey.

Please print or save this Team Guide PDF to your device; it is an overview of all the information needed to get ready for your journey: