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It is important to
realise that travel medicine is a continuum. We undertake a pre-travel
consultation with the traveller, particularly in terms of health education,
immunisations and prophylaxis, however we must also undertake contingency
planning in case something happens to the traveller while they are abroad.
Contingency planning might include advice on travel insurance, finding
medical assistance abroad, encouraging first aid training in a family group,
provision of a travellers’ first aid medical kit, or simply a doctor’s
letter detailing medications to facilitate their replacement should their
medications be lost. There is also a need to be concerned about their health
post-travel in case the traveller has had an exposure, condition or injury
that needs further treatment or rehabilitation. Superimposed upon this are
travellers from other parts of the World who may have had exposure,
condition or injury that needs further treatment or rehabilitation during
travel and they may also need a further pre-travel health consultation for
those who may have changed or modified their itinerary. |