The possibility of encountering rare tropical disease presentations is commonly described as a benefit derived by developed world medical trainees participating in clinical service-oriented short-term global health experiences in the developing world. This study describes the health status of a population served by a short-term experience conducted by a North American institute, and the results of a retrospective review are used to identify commonly encountered diseases and discuss their potential educational value. Descriptive analysis was conducted on 1,024 encounter records collected over four unique 1-week-long trips by a North American institution serving Haitian migrant workers in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The top five diagnoses seen in the clinic were gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension (HTN), upper respiratory infections, otitis media, and fungal skin infection. On occasion, diagnoses unique to an indigent tropical population were encountered (e.g., dehydration, malnutrition, parasites, and infections.). These findings suggest a similarity between frequently encountered diagnoses on a short-term clinical service trip in Dominican Republic and primary care presentations in developed world settings, which challenges the assumption that short-term service experiences provide exposure to rare tropical disease presentations. These findings also represent additional data that can be used to better understand the health and healthcare planning among this vulnerable population of Haitian migrant workers. Copyright © 2014 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

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antifungal agent parasitosis health care planning gastroenteritis human health status Skin Diseases ethnology Dominican Republic Humans Adolescent male female tuberculosis tropical disease vitamin prevalence Article major clinical study adult migration burn mycosis Transients and Migrants trichomoniasis ibuprofen paracetamol common cold Child gastroesophageal reflux primary medical care respiratory tract infection Respiratory Tract Infections clinical feature middle aged impetigo Aged Haitian Haiti Young Adult preschool child Infant Child, Preschool Retrospective Studies malnutrition infection retrospective study influenza condyloma dermatomycosis dermatitis upper respiratory tract infection otitis media allergic rhinitis amlodipine otitis indigent Regional Medical Programs scabies uterus myoma candidiasis tums health education amoxicillin pneumonia Constipation ranitidine laceration dehydration vulnerable population developing country Developing Countries hypertension heart arrhythmia migrant worker asthma eczema vaginitis pelvic inflammatory disease