A pre-travel consultation is a medical appointment scheduled for an individual who intends to leave for holidays or work-related traveling. It is generally processed through a patient’s health assessment to analyze and measure the individual’s present condition. The consultation aids in analyzing whether the patient requires additional medical supervision or an immunization before traveling. It can help prevent health dangers that an individual might encounter during traveling.
Why is pre-traveling consultation required?
There is an increasing trend of traveling seen in the present that tends to boost in the future as people’s interest in traveling grows. However, this can also spread illnesses as people mostly travel to tourist-rich regions. The probability of disease spread increases in those regions where traveling on its peak and tourists come from different regions and areas. Pre-travel consultation would help prevent diseases caused by sick visitors. Moreover, individuals can also have a consultation if they have experienced any health issues in their travel history. The traveling discussion includes guidance about the possible precautions that might be required while traveling, specifically for the person who has already suffered from the following diseases;
- Chronic diseases: This illness mainly occurs in aged people with stroke, cancer, heart diseases, arthritis, and diabetes. These illnesses usually remain for a longer time and can also get worse over time.
- Autoimmune illnesses: It refers to the condition in which an individual’s immune system is weak and starts to attack the body’s cells, leading to a burning sensation in the tissues.
- Allergy: Individuals with allergies must undergo a consultation procedure before traveling.
- Medical conditions, including recent surgery or hospitalization, require a pre-travel examination to avoid traveling hazards.
- Likewise, pregnant women also need a pre-travel consultation to prevent health issues.
- Moreover, country-specific risks are those risks that an individual can pick from the traveling region, such as food poisoning, bloodborne, waterborne, and other respiratory diseases. Individuals can prevent such illnesses with the specific vaccinations and precautions they undergo before traveling. Common country-specific risks include typhoid, malaria, yellow fever, and polio. For such illnesses, pre-traveling consultation becomes a requirement.
Who can provide pre-travel consultation?
A General physician and family consultant can aid in providing the best pre-travel consultation for individuals who travel frequently. While in the case of children, a pediatrician would provide pre-travel consultation. The consultation includes a discussion about the following topics:
- The trip schedule consists of the duration of the planned trip.
- Traveling pattern: It includes discussing traveling manners, such as group tours, cruises, and ships so that the consultant can advise precautions.
During the consultation, the doctor will discuss the specific health danger that an individual might encounter, how they would avoid getting sick, and how to treat themselves if they suffer from any illness. Moreover, the consultant may prescribe some medicines and vaccination if the doctor perceives any hazards during the trip.
Charges for a pre-travel consultation
- There is a specific price for a pre-travel consultation depending upon the consultant’s expertise, location of the hospital, and vaccination prices if the consultant prescribes them.
References
- https://www.uhhospitals.org/services/travel-medicine-services/pricing
- https://news.stanford.edu/2016/05/03/know-go-importance-medical-travel-consultation-members-stanford-community/
- https://www.docdoc.com/medical-information/procedures/pre-travel-consultation
- https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/26/3/taz025/5424971
- https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/preparing-international-travelers/the-pretravel-consultation
- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1015/p620.html
