Tourists as inpatients in Queensland regional hospitals

Abstract

This study analysed medical record data from seven regional hospitals in Queenslandto determine the types of medical conditions and injuries that resulted in overseas andinterstate tourists being admitted to hospital. From a total of 135- 128 admissionsto the participating hospitals, 695 (0.51- per cent) were identified as overseas touristsand 3479 (2.57- per cent) were from interstate. The main reasons for admission ofoverseas tourists, based on principal diagnoses, were injuries and poisonings (37.6- percent), circulatory disorders (11.7- per cent), digestive conditions (9.8- per cent), andgenito-urinary disorders (8.8- per cent). For interstate tourists, the main reasons foradmission were genito-urinary disorders (19.8- per cent), injuries and poisonings(15.4- per cent), neoplasms (11.4- per cent) and circulatory disorders (10.6- per cent).These findings are discussed in relation to current literature in the field of travelmedicine, emphasising the burden of care placed on the admitting hospital?s resources,and the growing number of visitors to Queensland needing health care.Introduction