Running a travel clinic

SummaryAnnually, 1.5 billion passengers travel by air and 700 million travellers cross international borders, and around 50% of them can become unwell in some way. In today's world travel is important for business people as it is for humanitarian groups and immigrants, as it is also for holiday makers. All travellers need to be aware of potential health problems and consequences of their travel, and they need up to date authoritative advice. Travel health clinics provide this advice in a structured, practical and authoritative format. Such a format is discussed, and applied with the skills of medical, nursing and management practitioners. The four steps for giving travellers the foundation for healthy journeys are all explored: to assess pre-health, to analyse itineraries, to select appropriate vaccines, and to provide education about the prevention and self-treatment of travel-related diseases.