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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Medical validation:
February 09, 2023
Diabetics, heart patients, dialysis… many of them want to travel every year, without taking the plunge. However, the health benefits are numerous. So, to make the most of this parenthesis, Dr. Gérald Kierzek gives us some advice.
Worldwide, 1 in 5 adults currently suffers from a chronic illness (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental disorders, etc.). For the majority of them, traveling remains very difficult. How to prepare a long haul? What health reflexes to adopt? How many drugs to put in your suitcase? Answers.
The tourism community begins to apprehend the disease
First good news: if it is certain that the sick have been neglected for too long, the global tourism industry is starting to move the lines.
A recent research project conducted by Edith Cowan University has shed light on the concept of “travel therapy“. In other words, how these trips positively affect the health of people with diabetes, heart disease or even dialysis.
According to Dr. Wen, one of the researchers of this project, it is even “vital” that the tourism industry addresses “vulnerable people suffering from physical or psychological disorders; an important but too often neglected market“.
As such, strategies could soon be put in place in terms of food, accommodation or transport of patients in order to ensure their well-being before, during and after the trip.
“Tourism must be able to accommodate vulnerable travelers (…) for the survival of the travel industry – but also because taking health into account is important and as our previous work has shown, tourism can help to support health“, concludes Dr. Wen.
If people with chronic illnesses can travel throughout the year (unless contraindicated), those with an acute illness should avoid travel.
“Then, you must quickly discuss your travel plans with your doctor. This will direct you to the vaccines to be carried out before D-Day, the number of drugs to take… And on your side, you will have to find out about the devices present on site (hospitals, health centers, etc.). For example, dialysis patients must identify and contact the dialysis unit at the resort“, emphasizes Dr. Kierzek.
Another important point: provide an additional stock of medicines in case they are difficult to find locally. “Without forgetting the pick-up times, which must not be shifted or disturbed by the jet lag“, warns the emergency doctor.
Prescriptions in “DCI” must also be taken to theforeign (the INN of a drug corresponds to the name of the active substance which composes it: it is the scientific name of the product). These have the advantage of being included in any pharmacy, even at the end of the world.
“They make it possible to find the right molecule on the spot“, details Dr. Kierzek.
Consider seeking medical assistance
In order to organize the trip as well as possible, medical assistance may be requested – especially at the airport. This varies according to the nature of the illness or disability and can sometimes be reimbursed.
Once there, PMR accommodation, accessible to people with reduced mobility, can be preferred.