How to find a Doctor Abroad           (Published winnipeg Sun Jan 7,2007)

Many travellers often ask me the best way to find a doctor in other countries. This can be hard to do in Canada, let alone in other countries.

Usually cruise ships, large hotels and city centres will have physicians available. Travellers may often seek out their own choice of doctors in one of several ways.

Many travel guides available through bookstores or the public libraries list available clinics and the services they provide. Remember though to use only recent guide books as information can become outdated quickly.

The local Canadian embassy, consulate or representative's office may give you a list of possible places. They usually won't endorse one group over another. Travellers may discretely ask the Embassy reception staff (who themselves are Canadians living abroad) where they go if they have a problem, and will often receive useful suggestions.

Secondly the International Society of Travel Medicine is an organization that regularly lists participating travel medicine physicians at their website www.istm.org . The only problem is that their list is not representative of all countries and that clinics may differ in the services that they offer. This service is free of charge.

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers ( www.iamat.org ) was founded by Ontario physician Dr. Vincenzo Marcolongo in order to provide reassurance and to provide competent care for travellers around the world. Membership includes a directory of clinics that accept travellers at agreed upon fees.

Membership to IAMAT is free but they ask for a donation, as they exist as a non-profit organization. They will provide tax receipts.

For travellers with concerns about foreign health services, researching and finding information before you leave greatly helps. Keeping this information handy (or emailing it to yourself) ensures you can find help when you need it.

It is also helpful to bring along a list of your medications with their correct dosing as well as medical information that might be useful to a foreign doctor. Photocopies of old EKG, list of allergies, or a letter from your family physician summarizing relevant medical issues will make overseas clinics job more easier if they know more about important past medical problems.

When attending any health clinic be prepared to make payment by credit card or local currency since some clinics may not honour all insurance policies.

Lastly the care you receive abroad may not be as available, convenient or inexpensive as it is in Manitoba and travelers must understand there is always some implied risk with all travel.