Principles and Practice of Travel Medicine (eBook)

Edited by Jane N. Zuckerman Academic Centre for Travel Medicine and Vaccines, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travel Medicine, University College London Medical School, London, UK.

Having reviewed the first edition in 2001, I welcome the
opportunity to review this new one. The format is similar with the
content delivered in six sections, but with more chapters in each
and information expanded to include new developments and advances
in the field. Expert contributors now number an impressive 80,
lending a truly international perspective to the content. Travel to
international sporting events and a favourite of mine - space
tourism - are welcome and timely additions.

Although travel abroad for healthcare is not new, the global
economic downturn has created a boom in so-called health tourism.
The discussion on the reasons, benefits and pitfalls is well
covered including the ethical perspective and dilemmas
practitioners may face- with case studies to give food for
thought.

In the preface, the editor asks: "Where have we been,
where are we now and where are we going?" - a good indication
of what we can expect to find in the book. The majority of people
who travel are 'well' and the art of practising travel
medicine lies mainly in keeping them that way.

However, it is becoming more complex for travel health advisers
as increasingly those with pre-existing medical conditions are
travelling to destinations which may pose a risk to their condition
or where the lack of healthcare resources put them at risk if a
medical problem arises and they need care. The management of these
high risk travellers is covered in Chapter 27 and includes both
general and disease specific advice.

Good emphasis is given to the fact that there is no age limit
for travelling and no one size fits all scenarios. Individuals
deserve the best advice for their trip and the list of additional
resources for specific reference is most useful. Once again case
histories throughout the text helpto illuminate the subjects.

Chapter Six looks at the epidemiology and surveillance of
travel-related disease and emphasises the benefits of international
collaboration in detecting infectious diseases and sharing the
information to alert and protect other travellers.

Malaria prevention and treatment information is welcome. Chapter
11 ('The Interconnecting World') looks at transport,
migrants, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and
also considers the role of mobile populations and mass gatherings
in this. Numerous excellent tables relating to the importance of
travel health support the information.

I loved the quote at the beginning, credited to Harvey Cushing:
"A physician is obligated toconsider more than a diseased
organ, more even than the whole man - he must view the man in
his world." Never was a truer word spoken.

I recommend this textbook as a valuable resource for study and
reference, and it will be a welcome addition to any library
supporting education in travel medicine. (Sandra Grieve FFTM
RCPS(Glasg), Emporiatrics Autumn/Winter 2013)