The Travel Medicine, as a new medical speciality in Hungary

Abstract

In 2004, when Hungary joined to EU., the travel medicine, as a medical speciality had not yet been existed. In those days Hungarians gained the opportunity to travel abroad, and besides the country had to face growing number of migration, the refugees, as a Eastern border of the EU. The low-cost airlines, and last minute travel bargains appeared. Suddenly Hungarian tourists—including entire families and elderly people—could select from a wide range of travel choices. Extreme sports become popular and adventure travel is in vogue. Seemingly EU healthcare card (called the E-111 formula at the time) covered medical expenses abroad. But these cards had shortcomings for travellers. They do not cover the fees of certain private physicians nor the costs of repatriations. The Hungarian Association of Assurance (Insurance) Physicians found the cards to be inadequate and that the ideal solution would be travel insurance offered by private companies. But the Assurance Physicians realised that the private insurance companies had no experience with travellers and that most Hungarian travellers were poorly informed about the medical aspects of travel. The physicians therefore decided to establish a forum that could solve the problems—the beginnings of travel medicine in Hungary. The authors of this presentation speak the first steps and the achievements, as well as the considerable differences the way of travel medicine between western world and Hungary. The presenting author is the Chairman of travel medicine section of Assurance Medicine Society in Hungary.