Textbook of Maritime Medicine

The reception and waiting room have to be clean and comfortable and decorated in a way that the seafarers feel at home. A poster or some leaflets in their language, magazines or even newspapers make the seafarer feel recognized in a foreign port. Health information in direct relation with their profession should be available so that seafarers recognize the special focus of the clinic to their profession. Leaflets and booklets with respect to health at sea should be put at their disposal free of charge. Treatment rooms have to be clean and well equipped with separate rooms for treatment and consultation. Consultation rooms should allow the seafarers to have a private and confidential talk with the attending physician, interpreting or assistance by a third person may however sometimes be very important. Instruments and equipment necessary are basically the same as in general practice, but in view of the many accidents on board a focus on the treatment of small wounds and trauma may be necessary. Also medication should be available in the clinic in order to be able to help the seafarer with a few tablets or a sample instead of having to send him to a distant pharmacy. A port clinic must have access to most - if not all- communication media available. Telephone, mobile phones and fax, but also internet and e-mail are indispensable for a fast and good treatment of a patient.