Related Experiment Videos
["Radio-medical Advice Service"--14 years of overseas medical advice]
H H Strange-Vognsen1, N D Knudstorp
1Ortopaedkirurgisk afdeling U, Rigshospitalet, København.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|September 9, 1996
Summary
Medical advice for Danish merchant ships showed digestive and genitourinary issues were most common. Psychiatric diagnoses significantly decreased over time, with evacuations recommended in over half of cases.
Area of Science:
- Maritime Medicine
- Public Health
- Telemedicine
Context:
- The Danish Radio Medical Advice Service (RMAS) handled 1136 overseas and 213 domestic maritime contacts between 1980 and 1993.
- Overseas contacts primarily involved diseases of the digestive/genitourinary systems (30%) and traumatic lesions (23%).
Purpose:
- To analyze the types of medical consultations and trends in maritime health over a 13-year period.
- To provide recommendations for improving medical support for seafarers.
Summary:
- A significant decrease in psychiatric diagnoses was observed (p=0.01).
- Evacuation was recommended in 53% of cases, and medication prescribed in 61%.
- Recommended medical expertise for RMAS includes general or orthopedic surgery, with access to all specialties.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for specific medical training, such as intravenous infusion, for shipboard personnel.
- Suggests enhancing communication methods, including the potential benefit of television for remote medical consultations.
- Informs future strategies for maritime healthcare provision and emergency response planning.