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Finding Medical Help Away From Home
Monday, October 31, 2005
Marlene M. Coleman, MD, is the author of Safe and Sound - Healthy Travel With Children. Dr. Coleman is a Board Certified Pediatrician with an emphasis on adolescent medicine and a subspecialty in travel medicine. Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Southern California Medical school and an attending physician at the California Institute of Technology, helping keep students healthy as they study, lecture and travel all over the world. Dr. Coleman lectures on healthy travel with children. MEDIA: Rebecca O'Meara (504) 861-2188 rebeccaomeara@aol.com
Finding Medical Help Away From Home
You don't take chances with your health—or the health of your children—at home, so why should things be different when you travel? You pack a first-aid kit, encourage handwashing, and avoid suspect food. But what if your family's health needs are more complicated? Preparing for probable, possible, and unexpected health problems will make your entire journey more relaxed and enjoyable.
As you prepare for your trip, whether you will be staying in the United States or going abroad, ask your internist, pediatrician, or other specialist whether they can recommend a physician at your destination. If you or your children have medical conditions, such as diabetes, allergies, or multiple sclerosis, or require special treatment, such as injections or dialysis, be sure to take the time to assemble materials that can get you effective medical attention quickly if you should need it.
Such materials might include information about your condition and treatment regimen, including names and dosages of all medications, translated into the language of the country you plan to visit. Include names and contact information for doctors that treat your condition at home.
Fortunately, there are numerous resources available for travelers, both on- and off-line, including the following:
* Information on specific medical conditions. Look for listings of Board-certified physicians as well as other condition-specific suggestions in directories available through the national offices representing each specialty or consult the Internet for national associations that represent medical conditions (for example, in their
"Healthy Living with MS" section, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers numerous valuable resources at www.nationalmssociety.org/Travel-Contents.asp).
* The International Society of Travel Medicine has more than 2000 members in more than 70 countries. It is the world's largest organization of professionals dedicated to the advancement of travel medicine. Their Directory of Travel Medicine Clinics and Providers can be accessed at www.istm.org.
* The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers advises travelers "about health risks, the geographical distribution of diseases worldwide, immunization requirements for all countries," and their directory of IAMAT physicians, available for a donation, guides members to participating physicians, specialists, clinics, and hospitals in 125 countries. Find out more at www.iamat.org or call 716-754-4883 (other numbers available at the website for Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland offices).
* International SOS is a medical assistance company that staffs clinics and "Alarm Centers" throughout the world. Their "Global 911" system assists with emergencies, including emergency evacuation. Their low-cost fee-based service is available for students and those traveling outside their home country for business or leisure. For details, see www.internationalsos.com or call 800-523-8662.
* The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network provides a variety of resources related to food allergies, including posters, books, stickers, a downloadable "Chef card" explaining an individual's food allergies, and an 87-page booklet, Traveling with Food Allergy: Foreign Sources of Information, that lists contacts and organizations for 15 countries, plus information about doctors, emergency help, food labeling, and translations for common allergy words. Find out more at www.foodallergy.org.
* The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers online referrals for both U.S. and international physicians at www.aaaai.org or 800-822-2762.
* Select Wisely sells food translation cards "for travelers with food allergies, sensitivities or dietary restrictions" The laminated, wallet size cards are available at www.selectwisely.com or by calling 973-347-7477. The website also has a very helpful list of tips for travelers.
* The local U.S. Consulate in the country you're visiting can probably direct you to the nearest English-speaking doctor, but their hours may be limited so you're better off finding out as much as you can before you leave home.
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers extensive, detailed information for travelers at their website, www.cdc.gov/travel, including a variety of downloadable reports, current information on health alerts, and country-specific planning information.
Leave a copy of the information on each family member with your doctor as well as with a friend or relative at home. Be sure to keep copies of any materials you prepare for this trip because they will also be helpful for future travels with just a little updating.
The time you spend preparing for your trip will definitely pay off—in good health and in peace of mind. Bon voyage!
Finding Medical Help Away From Home
You don't take chances with your health—or the health of your children—at home, so why should things be different when you travel? You pack a first-aid kit, encourage handwashing, and avoid suspect food. But what if your family's health needs are more complicated? Preparing for probable, possible, and unexpected health problems will make your entire journey more relaxed and enjoyable.
As you prepare for your trip, whether you will be staying in the United States or going abroad, ask your internist, pediatrician, or other specialist whether they can recommend a physician at your destination. If you or your children have medical conditions, such as diabetes, allergies, or multiple sclerosis, or require special treatment, such as injections or dialysis, be sure to take the time to assemble materials that can get you effective medical attention quickly if you should need it.
Such materials might include information about your condition and treatment regimen, including names and dosages of all medications, translated into the language of the country you plan to visit. Include names and contact information for doctors that treat your condition at home.
Fortunately, there are numerous resources available for travelers, both on- and off-line, including the following:
* Information on specific medical conditions. Look for listings of Board-certified physicians as well as other condition-specific suggestions in directories available through the national offices representing each specialty or consult the Internet for national associations that represent medical conditions (for example, in their
"Healthy Living with MS" section, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers numerous valuable resources at www.nationalmssociety.org/Travel-Contents.asp).
* The International Society of Travel Medicine has more than 2000 members in more than 70 countries. It is the world's largest organization of professionals dedicated to the advancement of travel medicine. Their Directory of Travel Medicine Clinics and Providers can be accessed at www.istm.org.
* The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers advises travelers "about health risks, the geographical distribution of diseases worldwide, immunization requirements for all countries," and their directory of IAMAT physicians, available for a donation, guides members to participating physicians, specialists, clinics, and hospitals in 125 countries. Find out more at www.iamat.org or call 716-754-4883 (other numbers available at the website for Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland offices).
* International SOS is a medical assistance company that staffs clinics and "Alarm Centers" throughout the world. Their "Global 911" system assists with emergencies, including emergency evacuation. Their low-cost fee-based service is available for students and those traveling outside their home country for business or leisure. For details, see www.internationalsos.com or call 800-523-8662.
* The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network provides a variety of resources related to food allergies, including posters, books, stickers, a downloadable "Chef card" explaining an individual's food allergies, and an 87-page booklet, Traveling with Food Allergy: Foreign Sources of Information, that lists contacts and organizations for 15 countries, plus information about doctors, emergency help, food labeling, and translations for common allergy words. Find out more at www.foodallergy.org.
* The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers online referrals for both U.S. and international physicians at www.aaaai.org or 800-822-2762.
* Select Wisely sells food translation cards "for travelers with food allergies, sensitivities or dietary restrictions" The laminated, wallet size cards are available at www.selectwisely.com or by calling 973-347-7477. The website also has a very helpful list of tips for travelers.
* The local U.S. Consulate in the country you're visiting can probably direct you to the nearest English-speaking doctor, but their hours may be limited so you're better off finding out as much as you can before you leave home.
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers extensive, detailed information for travelers at their website, www.cdc.gov/travel, including a variety of downloadable reports, current information on health alerts, and country-specific planning information.
Leave a copy of the information on each family member with your doctor as well as with a friend or relative at home. Be sure to keep copies of any materials you prepare for this trip because they will also be helpful for future travels with just a little updating.
The time you spend preparing for your trip will definitely pay off—in good health and in peace of mind. Bon voyage!
Rebecca O'Meara
504-861-2188
