key: cord-0686604-7wuyrlh5
authors: Chiodini, Jane
title: Good Practice Guidance for Providing a Travel Health Service
date: 2020-11-21
journal: Travel Med Infect Dis
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101926
sha: 42889121e26112a06beca4add1eddf7632022ea1
doc_id: 686604
cord_uid: 7wuyrlh5

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Amersham Vale Practice, London, UK Whilst travel medicine practice has seen a significant fall in demand due to COVID-19, the history of previous global pandemics proves that the need for pre-travel care will return, although with this global pandemic, recovery may take longer than we would all like. The standard of care delivered has never been more important and perhaps, as travellers' raised awareness of the prevention of respiratory transmission via correct handwashing and respiratory etiquette so clearly shows, it is hoped that travellers will take more interest on the health advice they receive in the future.

In the United Kingdom, apart from the structure of governance for the administration of yellow fever vaccine due to International Health Regulations (IHR) stipulating that vaccine can only be administered at centres designated by the health administration for the territory in which they are situated, the practice of travel medicine is unregulated. A number of vaccines are provided under our National Health Service (hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio within the combined tetanus, polio and diphtheria vaccine) and so a large proportion of travel health advice is delivered in primary care settings. In recent years, a growing number of pharmacists has also commenced provision of travel health services. In addition, we have a considerable number of private travel clinics and care is also delivered in a variety of other settings such as schools, occupational healthcare and the military. Inspection of such services is undertaken, in a variety of ways and by different official bodies, but there is no measure in place to ensure that a standard of care is consistent at the present time.

The Faculty of Travel Medicine (FTM)of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (https://rcpsg.ac.uk/travel-medicine/h ome) is the only such Faculty in the northern Hemisphere and the College is also unique in its multidisciplinary membership. Founded in 2006 in a College which dates from 1599, the FTM's mission is • To provide leadership to Travel Medicine professionals • To support our membership through education, training, continuous professional development, examinations and assessment • To be a leading voice on health matters related to travel in order to set the highest possible standards of health care and assure the safety of patients and travellers

Whilst travel health services are delivered in the UK mostly by nurses and pharmacists, the FTM considers the most important aspect of delivering travel health care is not which professional group delivers the care, but that each person doing so exceeds the minimum standard of practice and meets the health needs of the traveller. It follows therefore, that a guidance document should be a key publication from the FTM.

'Good Practice Guidance for Providing a Travel Health Service' [1] sets out to define the standards of care every practitioner should achieve in their practice of Travel Medicine for the health and safety of the international traveller. It does not describe how to set up a clinic nor the basic skillsets required, but can be used as a self-assessment guide to identify key areas for continuing professional development, or E-mail address: jane.chiodini@nhs.net. continuous quality improvement, including effectiveness, efficiency and safety of the service. This Good Practice Guidance is intended for all those providing or planning to provide travel health services, thereby improving standards of care to international travellers. And although the document contains certain UK references, it is anticipated that the standards are universal and independent of the country of practice.

The document sets out the FTM's expected standards of practice in four key areas:

• Service Delivery.

• Operating/Facility Requirements for a Travel Service.

• Assurance and Governance of Travel Health Services.

• Recommendations for the Practice of Travel Medicine.

The fourth section is supported by two appendices to further enhance standards of practice and training:

• Appendix B provides an example of a practitioner assessment tool for competency in travel health. This is also additionally available as a Word formatted document to allow completion as the practitioners progresses, forming a 'living' record of their competence. • Appendix C lists the training requirements in travel medicine.

These elements will be particularly useful for the practitioner new to this field of practice, but will also serve as a useful tool to identify the practitioner's current level of practice and further development requirements to support their Continuing Professional Development.

There is a comprehensive section of resources towards the end of the publication which could be printed off as a standalone resource, or if used online is fully hyperlinked including the index for ease of use.

At the end of the publication is a patient leaflet for travellers to understand what is the minimum standard of care they should expect to receive when they attend a travel consultation. This leaflet is also provided as a single downloadable file for practitioner convenience.

All the resources are available at https://rcpsg.ac.uk/travel-medici ne/good-practice-guidance-for-providing-a-travel-health-service.

Good Practice Guidance for Providing a Travel Health Service. Faculty of Travel Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow