The Impact of Travel Acquired Illness on the World Traveller and Family Doctor and the Need for Pre-Travel Health Education

Abstract

This retrospective study involved a 20% quota, age and sex stratified sample of people over 16 years of age, presenting to a group medical practice over a period of one year (N = 1568). A standardised, computer-scored, self-report questionnaire was administered. The response rate was 98.3%. 42% of respondents had travelled outwith the UK in the previous year. Of those, 42% had become ill whilst abroad. In 20.5% of cases the illness settled without treatment. However, 26% of the patients required consultation with a doctor whilst abroad and 48.4% of those becoming ill required further attention from the family doctor on return home. 5% of ill travellers were admitted to hospital abroad. 8% of all travellers did not have medical insurance cover. A large and significant population of travellers become ill whilst abroad, and travel-acquired illness has a large impact on general practice, with 1 in 5 travellers seeking GP consultation on return home. Improved practice-generated pre-travel health advice might decrease this burden on primary care.