It’s important to complete a full travel risk assessment with your traveller. Being able to identify the risks, communicate the risks and manage the risk. Each traveller is different and each assessment should be tailored to suit their needs.
To help complete a full travel risk assessment you can get your traveller to complete a pre-travel risk assessment form to help identify where they are travelling to. It is the responsibility of the traveller to provide and input accurate information on their:
a. travel itinerary;
b. age;
c. sex;
d. medical history;
e. previous travel experience;
f. previous travel vaccination history;
g. destination;
h. departure date;
i. length of stay;
j. planned activities.
When you have considered all the above and identified all the risks and communicated how to manage them with the traveller they can then make an informed decision on their treatments.
Online tools can also be used to help you to conduct your risk assessment. These are usually automated and, once the relevant details regarding destination and medical history have been inputted, the algorithm will suggest which vaccines and/or malaria chemoprophylaxis you should advise the traveller to consider.
Providing a full travel risk assessment isn’t just about vaccines you should also include:
- Bite prevention
- Sun protection
- Safe sex
- Standby treatments ie travellers diarrhoea, period delay
- Travel insurance
Providing a Travel Health Service, you’ll have an in-depth knowledge of immunisations, risks associated with specific destinations, and the implications of travelling with underlying conditions. You should also be able to discuss the risks clearly with travellers to help them make an informed decision.
However, travel can be quite complex and you may not always have the answers.
We are continuously developing the service and support guidance available to you.
You can also contact Information Services for further guidance on 0800 783 5709 * option 2. This information is provided by TRAVAX, part of Health Protection Scotland.
Download Travel risk assessment
You can also contact your PGD provider if you have clinical queries.
We have partnered with PharmaDoctor who provide a full automated eTool platform with intergrated PGDs, which will support you with your service.