Health care of the long-term traveller

Long-term travellers are exposed to a greater extent and a greater depth of risk than short-term travellers. This includes both physical and psychological illness and vulnerability. We need a paradigm of care both before, during and after travel which includes evidence-based medicine but extends beyond it into a more creative response to the whole person needs of this unique group of people. Caring for long-term travellers in the variety and complexity of their physical, social and mental health needs is one of the most rewarding branches of travel medicine [Zuckerman J. Travel medicine; recent developments. Br Med J 2002;325:260-4; Zuckerman J. Travel medicine BMJ careers; 26 June 2004, p. 277-8.]