Back to Search Start Over

The health and health preparation of long-term Australian travellers.

Authors :
Halcomb E
Stephens M
Smyth E
Meedya S
Tillott S
Source :
Australian journal of primary health [Aust J Prim Health] 2017 Sep; Vol. 23 (4), pp. 386-390.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

A growing number of Australians are travelling domestically for extended periods. This creates challenges in both continuity of health care and burdens on health services. This paper reports a cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the health needs and health planning of long-term travellers. In total, 316 respondents who had travelled for more than 3 months consecutively in the last year participated. Most respondents were retired (n=197; 62.3%); however, ages ranged from 26 to 89 years. Nearly half of the respondents or their travel companion had a long-term illness that affected their daily life (n=135; 42.7%). Nearly half of respondents visited a GP (n=133; 42.1%), nearly one-quarter visited an Emergency Department (n=72; 22.8%) and 19.9% (n=63) visited another health provider while travelling. The level of preparation around health while travelling varied between participants. This study highlights that long-term travellers have significant health needs and are likely to require health services during their extended travel. Additionally, it identifies that currently few strategies are used to plan for health care during travel. This raises issues for rural and remote health services in terms of both capacity and continuity of care.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1448-7527
Volume :
23
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Australian journal of primary health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28592352
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1071/PY16138