eng
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
2017-06-01
5
2
38
40
10.15171/ijtmgh.2017.08
46735
“HEXAL Model” How It Can Collaborate With Health Service Providers and Travel Medicine
Morteza Izadi
morteza_izadi@yahoo.com
1
Mohammadjavad Hoseinpourfard
hpf.javad@gmail.com
2
Zahra Farhangi
za_farhangi89@yahoo.com
3
Ali Ayoubian
ayoobian@hotmail.com
4
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Department of Health Services Management, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Nowadays the trend to travel abroad has extremely grown. This is while, paying attention to travelers’ health is an incredibly important issue. Many organizations try their best to provide health services during travelers’ trips. Meanwhile, the biggest and most effecting health care providers all around the world are hospitals. Regarding this fact, a theory has been presented to help these organizations coordinate and direct much more effectively in compared to the past. It is noticeable to mention that this theory can help health care providers to gain a more sustainable position in order to develop medical tourism in their centers.Methods: A theory has been presented in this research with different dimensions. The major aspects of this model have been designed according to the relationships which exist in families. These relationships include: parents, children and others. Each of these aspects have been divided into two segments which are female and male. These aspects play their roles in three different dimensions.Results: According to the results this study, it can be mentioned that there are 6 relationships in regards to the HEXAL Model in health service providers. These relationships include mother, father, sister, brother, step sister and other relationships. It can be also said that each of these dimensions have different responsibilities in both health care providers and travel medicine.Conclusion: By using this model, health service providers can collaborate much more effectively. As a result, medical tourists and even other tourists can experience much more satisfying trips throughout their lives.
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_46735_81e1039010c9d3fadaa128bdd02562a0.pdf
Hexal Model
Health Services
Travel Medicine
Hospitals
eng
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
2017-06-01
5
2
41
45
10.15171/ijtmgh.2017.09
46490
Ocular Problems in High-Altitude Traveling: A Review With Focus on Management
Morteza Izadi
morteza_izadi@yahoo.com
1
Mohsen Pourazizi
m.pourazizi@yahoo.com
2
Mohammad-Hasan Alemzadeh-Ansari
mh.aansari@gmail.com
3
Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Isfahan Eye Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Traveling to high altitudes can expose the eye to reduced ambient cold and low-pressure environments. These conditions can affect the physiology of the eye and may result in ocular problems and visual disturbances. In this paper, ocular disorders related to high altitudes are briefly reviewed. Then, high-altitude ocular disorders are categorized in three parts: those related to dry and cold environments, those related to low-pressure environments, and those in people with past ocular conditions. In every part, the signs and symptoms of related diseases are discussed. Up-to-date recommendations for the management and prevention of these disorders are presented. The main management for ocular disorders related to dry and cold environments includes the use of eye shields and artificial tear drops. Descending to low-altitude lands is the key to managing eye problems associated with low-pressure environments. Patients with past ocular problems or ocular surgery should consult their doctors before ascending to high altitudes.
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_46490_93a5194d8196fd0ca71bb5b401b29a23.pdf
Eye
Altitude
Travel
Ocular disorders
eng
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
2017-06-01
5
2
46
52
10.15171/ijtmgh.2017.10
46491
مقاله پژوهشی
Vaccinations of International Travellers From Greece to Sub-Saharan Africa
Androula Pavli
androulapavli@yahoo.com
1
Paraskevi Smeti
smeti@keelpno.gr
2
Fotini Antoniadou
antoniadou@keelpno.gr
3
Panos Katerelos
panos.katerelos@gmail.com
4
Helena Maltezou
helen-maltezou@ath.forthnet.gr
5
Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
Regional Department of Public Health of Attica, Athens, Greece
Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
Introduction: The number of travellers from Greece who travel to sub-Saharan Africa has increased during the last decade. Our aim in this research was to study vaccination patterns for travellers travelling to sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2011 until December 2014 in all (57) public health departments in Greece. Travellers over 18 years travelling to sub-Saharan Africa participated in this study. A standard form was used in order to collect data about travellers’ demographics, immunization history and travel information.Results: During the study period, 1768 travellers (median age: 39.2 years) travelling to sub-Saharan Africa participated. Among them, 69.2% of them were male and 95.4% of them had a Greek nationality. Nigeria was their most common destination (15.7%). Among all the travellers, 56.7% stayed in urban areas, 57.9% travelled for less than one month, 58.5% for work, 29% for vacation, and 5.8% for visiting friends and relatives. Furthermore, 79.7%, 30.9%, 19.7%, 16.8%, and 14.1% received the yellow fever, typhoid fever, tetanus-diphtheria, hepatitis A, and meningococcal vaccines, respectively. The purpose of travelling was statistically significantly associated with gender, nationality, and the duration of travel. Tetanus, hepatitis A & B, poliomyelitis, rabies and meningococcal vaccines were more commonly recommended for recreational travel, whereas tetanus, hepatitis A, and poliomyelitis vaccines for short-term travellers and typhoid vaccine for long-term travellers.Conclusion: It can be concluded that vaccination rrecommendations should be improved for the travellers to sub-Saharan Africa. Individualized and more selective pre-travel recommendations are needed taking in consideration the purpose and duration of travel, the area and place of stay.
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_46491_5056a39ece0f40aface5b8bb918f900f.pdf
Travellers
Sub-Saharan Africa
Vaccinations
Recommendations
eng
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
2017-06-01
5
2
53
59
10.15171/ijtmgh.2017.11
48066
مقاله پژوهشی
Pre-travel Health Care Utilization Among Travelers Who Visit Friends and Relatives
Eugene Tan
etan.eugene@gmail.com
1
Jane Njeru
njeru.jane@mayo.edu
2
Debra Jacobson
djacobsn@mayo.edu
3
Patrick Wilson
wilson.patrick@mayo.edu
4
Chun Fan
fan.chun@mayo.edu
5
Jasmine Marcelin
marcelin.jasmine@mayo.edu
6
Donna Springer
miller.donna2@mayo.edu
7
Mark Wieland
wieland.mark@mayo.edu
8
Irene Sia
sia.irene@mayo.edu
9
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
Introduction: Immigrants to the United States who return home to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) have high rates of travel-related infections. The data on VFR utilization of pre-travel health care is inadequate. The objective of this study was to describe the travel patterns and adherence to pre-travel recommendations of VFRs.Methods: This retrospective study compared pre-travel health care utilization between VFR and non-VFR patients in one travel clinic from 2012-2013. Study investigators reviewed patients’ electronic medical records for demographic data, travel characteristics, and rates of immunizations and preventive medication prescriptions (i.e. antimalarial prophylaxis and antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea). Categorical variables were compared using chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model adjusted associations of VFR with completion of pre-travel recommendations.Results: VFRs (n = 393) were younger than non-VFRs (n = 1680), more often required interpreters for language translation, and more commonly had government insurance coverage than non-VFRs. VFRs were more likely to travel to lower-income countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. VFRs had longer durations of travel: 51% for >4 weeks vs. 21% for non-VFRs (P < 0.0001). VFRs were less likely to complete tetanus, polio, and rabies vaccinations, but more likely to complete measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations. Only the association with the rabies vaccination remained significant after adjustment (OR [95% CI] = 0.3 [0.1, 0.8]).Conclusion: VFRs had longer travel durations and lower rates of vaccine completion than non-VFRs. More research is needed to understand this disparity and to promote changes in practice.
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_48066_d9ce0a2c7bcb061357e603cb2b21dcd6.pdf
Emigrants and Immigrants
Vaccination
Immunization
Travel Medicine
eng
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
2017-06-01
5
2
60
68
10.15171/ijtmgh.2017.12
48145
مقاله پژوهشی
A Progressive Multilevel Model for Selecting Medical Tourism Destinations: A Qualitative Study
Zohreh Dehdashti Shahrokh
zdehdashti33@gmail.com
1
Hamid Zargham Brojeni
zargham@atu.ac.ir
2
Vahid Nasehifar
vahidnasehifar@yahoo.com
3
Hosnieh Nakhaei Kamalabadi
hnakhai@gmail.com
4
Marketing Management Department, Faculty of Management & Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Tourism Management Department, Faculty of Management & Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Marketing Management Department, Faculty of Management & Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: The overall objective of this study was to design a progressive multilevel model using the Delphi method for selecting a medical tourism destination which includes three levels of decision making: the destination country, then the destination city, and finally, the healthcare center in the selected city. This model can be used as a new area of research for further planning in Iran’s growing medical tourism industry. Methods: This study is a descriptive, practical research using a qualitative approach. In the preliminary stage, an extensive review of the literature was performed, and the Delphi method was used to identify factors influencing the selection of Iran as a medical tourism destination. Experts participating in the Delphi panel reached consensuses after applying three rounds. Analysis of the data from the Delphi panel resulted in the construction of a multilevel model for selecting a medical tourism destination. Results: The outcome of this research was a constructed multilevel model for selecting a medical tourism destination. The model indicates all factors influencing the selection of each level of destination. It also includes two stages of decision making (medical tourism and information search), which come before the selection of three levels of destination. Conclusion: Iran’s political and economic situations after the imposition of sanctions and its problems in providing banking services for medical tourists are among the factors influencing medical tourists not to choose Iran as their destination. Government support, planned promotional activities, and JCI accreditations could increase the attraction of medical tourists to Iran.
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_48145_3fdcacb6d0e92a9e15ad8b44c6546b2e.pdf
Medical tourism
Multilevel model
Iran