Health workers at the forefront of the UK's COVID-19 response have acquired new skills but also exposed themselves to what has been termed ‘moral injury’ and trauma in the face of unprecedented experiences. This trauma is echoed globally. 

Healthcare workers involved, both in the UK and low-middle income countries, repeatedly talk about the psychological and clinical benefits of engaging in global health volunteering. In parallel, evidence points to the personal and professional benefits, as well as how volunteering more broadly has a positive effect on mental health in terms of managing depression, enhancing life satisfaction and wellbeing, and altering self-perceptions, thus building confidence and self-esteem. 
  
Global engagement can also play a role in creating a more compassionate and inclusive culture, by promoting acts of kindness at the core of volunteering, and bringing healthcare workers into contact with a diverse set of peers from around the world.

This session will start with a short presentation, followed by a Q&A/discussion encouraging a debate on how we take this thinking forward in the form of an inquiry.

This session forms part of the International feature zone that is supported by Healthcare UK.