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Maritime Medicine and Medicine for Seafarers

Maritime medicine and medicine for seafarers are not the same. Maritime medicine is specialization for medical doctors. Medicine for seafarers is some part of medicine which some crew members (master, chief mate) need to know. Seafaring has always been considered a dangerous occupation with a higher morbidity and mortality than in most occupations ashore.. Crews of merchant ships are exposed to extremes of weather, hazards connected with the operation of mechanical equipment, toxic cargoes and toxic substances used aboard. Their health is affected by noise, vibration, smoke inhalation, fatigue, overwork, and other exposures. Travel to the tropics results in exposure to exotic diseases as malaria, and other infections. Due to the nature of their work, seafarers spend long periods of time away from their families and, therefore, represent a group at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. Seamen are swept overboard by heavy seas ; they can die as a result of vessel casualties (foundering, capsizing, explosions, fires). The continuing medical challenges of injury and illness on board remained the same as before, but better communications have enabled tele- medical advice to be readily obtained in all parts of the world’s oceans. The introduction of antibiotics and better antimalarial drugs has further reduced the threat from infectious disease. Physical, chemical and biological health hazards as well as the ergonomic ones related to physical job demands, and psycho- social ones from isolation, organization pressures and complex work demands remain or have increased because of reduced crews and tighter schedules. In case of sudden illness or an accident and injury during the ship’s voyage, the chances of receiving proper and effective treatment are not as good for seafarers as for a worker on shore because of lack of direct and prompt access to qualified medical assistance. Due to the above mentioned, seafarer’s health education and training of seafarers to provide basic medical services on board are mandatory. Maritime medicine has important areas of shared interest and competence with occupational medicine, primary health care, emergency medicine, public health, tropical medicine, and travel medicine.

Maritime medicine ; medicine for seafarers ; health risks

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