Travel clinic consultation and risk assessment

Abstract

A significant number of travellers sustain travel-related injury or illness, despite receiving pretravel advice. This appears to be due to a combination of inconsistent guidance about risks and recommendations, and partial adherence. This article considers perceptions and attitudes to risk, factors affecting uptake of advice, and features of an effective consultation. A framework is proposed for a pretravel consultation, using a shared decision-making approach. Engaging the traveller as an active participant in maintaining their own health and providing balanced, evidence-based information about risks and benefits is predicted to enhance the effectiveness of the pretravel consultation.