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Reasons and frequency of visits to the ship's doctor by passengers and crew members of cruise ships in polar waters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2010

Helmut W. Hoyme  and
Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
Helmut W. Hoyme
Affiliation:
Georg-Poppe-Strasse 9, D-35683 Dillenburg, Germany
Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow
Affiliation:
Jacobs University Bremen, Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Ring 6 (Research II), D-28759 Bremen, Germany (b.meyer-rochow@jacobs-university.de)
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Abstract

Over a period of 142 days of polar cruising, all visits and reasons for those visits to the on board ship doctor's surgery by 360 crew members and 497 passengers were recorded and analysed. Despite the difference in age structure (passengers were mostly 60 years of age or older, while the crew were predominantly 20–30 years old), typically geriatric problems were seen in only a few passengers. While common cold related complaints dominated in the crew members, the passengers suffered more frequently from sea- and motion sickness and had slightly more respiratory and orthopaedic complaints. Typically cold weather related problems like hypothermia and frostbite were hardly seen at all and total prostheses of hips and knees (which involved several passengers) stood up surprisingly well to the polar climate and terrain. The surprisingly good physical condition of the elderly passengers suggests that the clientele of polar cruises represents an overall ‘fitter’ and healthier sub-population of elderly people. The on board preparatory lectures, warning the passengers of possible risks ashore and on board, must also have helped to keep down incidences requiring medical attention. A doctor, serving as an on-board physician on a cruise ship in polar waters, needs to be aware that the majority of his/her potential patients will be elderly folk. Familiarisation with facilities, medical equipment and drugs on board prior to departure is essential. The cruise ship doctor in addition to emergency experience needs experience in treating dermal disorders and orthopaedic conditions. Skills in chiropractic measures and/or acupuncture are an advantage and a thorough knowledge of cold weather induced conditions is a must.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 47 , Issue 1 , January 2011 , pp. 80 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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