Collaboration and Creativity as a Framework for Delivery of

Health and Safety Advice to Students Traveling Abroad

Kathlene S. Waller, MD, MPH

Certificate in Travel Health™

Director of Medical Clinical Services

Colorado State University

ObjectivesAfter this session attendees should be able to:

1. Describe challenges facing college healthcenters in reaching students for pre-travelconsultations.

2. List alternatives to individual travel consultations for delivery of health and safety information.

CSU Education Abroad Historical Overview

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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

For Credit 8 weeks or more For Credit less than 8 weeks Not for Credit

Study Abroad Experiences

Undergraduate, > 8 weeksFaculty-led Education Abroad, < 8 weeksStudent-led, Volunteer, < 8 weeksGraduate ResearchAdventure TripVacation

Challenges in Reaching Students

Large, increasing numbers of studentstraveling abroad

Limited resourcesPerceived lack of risk by studentsPerceived lack of risk by professorsLack of communication

Alternatives to Individual Consultations

Small group consultationsLarge group consultationsDistance consultationsEmail consultationsGroup vaccination clinicsPodcasts or videos

Number of Students AttendingLarge Group Consultations

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Fall Spring

2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Low Risk Countries

Podcast for Low Risk Countries

http://www.screencast.com/t/kIE4vcqo07e7

Podcast for Todos Santos

http://www.screencast.com/t/axY19jT8wk3M

Part of script for podcast24 Click for picture of beach The Pacific currents * are very strong and the waves are relatively high. There are few

lifeguards in Baja Sur, and most beaches are not safe for swimming. Therefore, students should consult locals for the safest beach locations and should always swim in groups to provide support for weaker swimmers as well as for injured swimmers or surfers.

25 Click four times for pictures Maritime animals * can also sting * or puncture your skin, * which may cause severe pain * but is rarely life-threatening. If you plan to spend a lot of time at the beach, do your research about how to avoid these threats and how to treat wounds appropriately.

26 Click for picture of barClick for picture of fiesta Click four times for bullet points Click for final text

Young people * can drink legally at age 18 in Mexico, and * fiestas are an important part of Mexican tradition. Students should be mindful of vulnerabilities while drinking and should avoid isolating situations. In order to try to decrease risk, * limit your alcohol intake; * use good judgment, common sense, and your intuition; * don’t leave your drink unattended, and * don’t go out alone at night. Once again, using a * buddy system is the best way to avoid most uncomfortable and dangerous situations.

27 Click for picture of jointClick for picture of handcuffs

and jail

Although marijuana use * is legal in the state of Colorado, when traveling to Todos Santos you are bound by federal laws of the United States as well as the laws of Mexico. Drug penalties may be very severe, so don’t even think about using marijuana or other illegal drugs. If you are arrested on drug-related or any other charges, * Colorado State University and the U.S. Embassy will not be able to bail you out!

Benefits of Podcastsand Group Consultations

EfficientConsistent message and documentationPromotes collaborationStudent satisfactionGroup consultations can promote team-

building

Drawbacks of Podcasts and Group Consultations

Concern about past medical historyMust be careful about privacyProviders must be comfortable with

public speaking and/or multitaskingCan’t bill for podcast

Campus Collaborations Integrated Medical, Counseling, Health Education

ServicesEducation AbroadRisk ManagementStudent ConductStudent Case Management Individual Professors and/or DepartmentsOffice of External RelationsSemester at Sea

Travel Medicine for Dummiesby Jay Keystone, MD

Don’t get hitDon’t get bitDon’t get “lit”Don’t do “it”Don’t eat sh*t

Questions & CommentsKathy Waller, MD, MPHCSU Health NetworkColorado State UniversityFort Collins, CO 80523(970) 491-5058kwaller@colostate.edu

Health Insurance Claims by Students Studying Abroad

EyeMental HealthMusculoskeletalRespiratorySkin

(Claims submitted to HTH Insurance from August 2010 to September 2012)

Slide #

Description of Slide Narrative

1 Title slide Congratulations on your decision to participate in education abroad at the CSU Center in Todos Santos on the beautiful Baja Peninsula of Mexico! We are sure that you will find the experience to be enlightening and memorable.

2 Pictures of paperwork & packing(click twice to bring pictures up)

As you make your way through the maze of * paperwork and * packing, we hope that you will pause for a few minutes to consider some issues of health and safety when you travel. This podcast is intended to assist students, faculty, and staff with information that will help you plan for a safe, healthy, enjoyable experience in Todos Santos.

3 Medical conditions should be stable

(click again for picture)

In order to minimize your risk of medical problems when you are traveling abroad, any chronic condition * that you have should be stable at the time of your anticipated trip. Be sure to discuss your condition with your medical providers for assistance with anticipating problems and solutions while you are away from home, and to receive prescriptions for an adequate amount of necessary medications. We also encourage you to disclose any serious medical or mental health condition to your faculty sponsor on the trip, and to a close friend or roommate. Let them know what to watch for and how to help you if you are having problems.

4 Click for picture of boy with head in arms

It is especially important to consider how you will seek help if you * suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, or other mental health disorders, and you have increased symptoms while traveling. What is your back-up plan? If you are not feeling well, let someone know!

5 Picture of pharmacist If you take any medications on a regular basis and you plan to stay for more than a month, you should discuss your travel plans with your medical provider, pharmacist, and insurance company, because you may need to request special permission to obtain enough medication for your trip. Don’t forget to include treatment for conditions which occur intermittently, such as asthma and migraine headaches. Be sure to keep all medications, including over the counter medications, in their original labeled containers in your carry-on luggage.

6 Go to CDC website It’s a great idea to learn as much as you can about Mexico, and specifically about health risks when you are visiting the Baja Peninsula. Read the website of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (known as the CDC) to learn about current concerns regarding infectious diseases and general guidelines for staying healthy when traveling internationally. Other websites and guide books can also be very helpful.

7 Immunizations (Click for girl) Regarding immunizations, for a visit to Todos Santos, no specific vaccinations are legally required for entry. Routine immunizations are recommended, including boosters against tetanus and whooping cough. * If you did not receive routine childhood immunizations, you should make an appointment with your medical provider, or at the CSU Health Network, to discuss risks. For example, there have been outbreaks of measles and whooping cough in Mexico in recent years.

Podcast Script

I have no financial conflicts of interest related to the content of this

presentation

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement