What are the main influences on short-term international healthcare volunteering in two sub-Saharan African countries? An ethnographic approach

Paterson, Andrew James (2026) What are the main influences on short-term international healthcare volunteering in two sub-Saharan African countries? An ethnographic approach. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Introduction: Short-term international healthcare volunteering (IHV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is an under-researched area within academic literature. Much study of the IHV phenomenon in the region focusses on a Global North perspective underpinned by reflections, stories and case studies written by returning volunteers and donor organisations. IHV is a multi-faceted phenomenon which has had a mixed response (Green et al., 2009) with contention from some that it does more harm than good (Bauer, 2017).

Methodology: The IHV phenomenon in two SSA countries was studied by an ethnographic approach in which I as primary researcher used an interpretive paradigm and hermeneutic methodology to give a “thick description” (Geertz, 1973, p.6). Data collection was primarily by participant observational study on four fieldtrips located in the two SSA countries mostly observing IHV programmes with two different IHV non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Data was analysed using thematic analytical principles as first described by Braun and Clarke (2006) and enhanced by Kiger and Varpio (2020). Reflexivity was embedded into the research by maintenance of comprehensive reflective field notes during fieldtrips. There were no pre defined themes. Data was open coded and themes identified, which following recursive reflection selected three groups of inter-linked themes that best answered my research question given the compromises, exclusions and limitations of the research.

Results: The main influences on IHV in the two SSA countries are the interlinked themes of collaboration, sustainability and dependency; cultural competence and cultural tension; power, hierarchy, respect and neo-colonialism. Three chapters of this thesis discussed and critically analysed each of the interlinked themes in detail.

Conclusions: Several conclusions were identified for each of the interlinked themes including seven principles for cultural competence and cultural tension for use in IHV in SSA. My research gave general recommendations together with recommendations that may raise awareness of and better embed an African perspective in IHV in the two SSA countries. Many areas of the IHV phenomenon in the two SSA countries require further research for which recommendations are suggested.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Supervisor's Name: Dowie, Professor Al and Bagg, Professor Jeremy
• Date of Award: 2026
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2026-86029
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 17 Jun 2026 15:51
• Last Modified: 18 Jun 2026 06:17
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.86029
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/86029