Residency training in travel medicine-a 3-year journey to become a specialist.

Abstract

Originally, travel medicine providers were practitioners from several disciplines such as infectious diseases, tropical medicine, internists, General practitioners (GPs), public health, also nurses and pharmacists. All providers have the same objective i.e. keep travellers safe and healthy. Unfortunately, good intention is not enough. In the past few decades Travel Medicine has become increasingly complex with a dramatically expanded body of knowledge (BOK). Practitioners who take care for travellers are expected to have a unique interdisciplinary knowledge as formulated in the International Society of Travel Medicine’s (ISTM) BOK.1–3 Special training in travel medicine is essential for practicing in a travel clinic. Previous research demonstrated that the knowledge and experience acquired in medical school or even postgraduate study in related fields are usually insufficient.4–7 For example, up to 61% of infectious diseases physicians were aware that they are not well-prepared to take care of travellers.8 Currently, various training courses in Travel Medicine are offered around the world.5 Their duration varies from a few days to few years and resulting in a diploma or Master degree. The best known example is the Certificate of Travel Health issued by the ISTM for which short preparation courses are offered and additionally the study of textbooks and other publications are expected. Although all courses aim to provide necessary …