Expedition MedicineExpedition Medicine

What is an Expedition ?What is an Expedition ?

• An expedition is an organised journey with a purpose

• Becoming big business as the “Adventure Tourism” boom continues

• There is a need for medics who are happy to work in remote environments

What is Expedition Medicine ? What is Expedition Medicine ?

• It is a branch of medicine concerned with maintaining health, physical and psychological, under the special stresses and challenges of an expedition

• Not just treatment of disease – almost every facet of most expeditions have health implications

What will you be expected to do?What will you be expected to do?

• Much of the work happens before the trip leaves:– Risk Assessment, Gathering medical info about those travelling,

Assembling appropriate medical kit, First Aid Training etc

• During the trip you are responsible for assessing and managing those who become ill or injured and arranging their evacuation if necessary

• You may well need to play the role of Doctor, Nurse, Counsellor and Paramedic all rolled into one

Types of ExpeditionTypes of Expedition

• May have specific objectives – e.g. conservation, education or scientific research

• May be simply undertaken for adventure e.g. mountaineering, diving, polar travel

• May be organised by commercial companies, charities, schools, universities, the armed forces

• Conditions are usually basic, numbers of participants vary, as does the level of support

Why get involved?Why get involved?

• Personal interest in activity or objective

• Challenging way/place to practise medicine

• A way to further yourself personally – improve decision making, communication, teamwork etc.

• Might look good on cv

Training and ExperienceTraining and Experience

• Expedition Doctors can come from virtually any discipline

• Experience in general practice, A&E and infectious diseases are probably most relevant

• Various courses/conferences in Expedition Medicine e.g. ExpeMed

Does it pay well?Does it pay well?

• In short, No!• May pay nothing at all, usually expenses

at most, and could involve you bringing your own medical kit

• Most Trek companies offer discounts to doctors willing to take responsibility for medical care of participants

• Some, but only very few organisations actually pay doctors for their services

What if it all goes Tits Up?What if it all goes Tits Up?

• Agreeing to be medical officer on an expedition carries legal implications

• Duty of care to participants, and responsible for your actions

• If employed by commercial organisation then they take some liability for negilgence is their responsibility

• Generally not covered by “Good Samaritan Act”• Talk to MDU, may well need extra cover

Overall Pro’sOverall Pro’s

• Cheap or free way to travel

• The only way to visit some remote areas

• Challenging and rewarding way to practise medicine

• Break from hospital treadmill

• Opportunity to enhance both medical and non-medical skills

• Often a light workload

Overall Con’sOverall Con’s

• Often Unpaid

• Continuous duty

• Can be predominantly trivial injuries

• Could involve coping with serious injury in remote area, with little back-up

• Trips are often lengthy and may adversely affect career planning

• Risk of litigation

Where do I sign up?Where do I sign up?

• NGOs e.g. Raleigh International, Trekforce

• Royal Geographical Society’s “Bulletin of Expedition Vacancies”

• For “Sponsor my holiday” style trips see www.acrossthedivide.co.uk

• Courses e.g. ExpeMed have lists of vacancies for all successful participants