Getting health care in another country can be an exercise in culture shock. Whether you get a doctor who doesn't speak English or you don't understand the procedures in a foreign hospital, getting sick away from the comforts of home can be frightening. Your best approach to deal with an illness or injury while traveling is to prepare for the problem before you depart. It's important to research your country's emergency numbers, embassy phone number and address, and local English-speaking doctors and hospitals before your trip.
What to Do
If you are injured or ill, contact a health care provider as soon as possible. Call your regular doctor if you lose or run out of vital medication; he or she may be able to call in a prescription to a local pharmacy. If you are at a hotel and a non-emergency injury or illness occurs, contact the front desk and ask for medical care. The concierge may be able to arrange for a doctor to come to the hotel. For hospital care, take a cab to the local hospital (finding out which hospitals are nearby before your trip facilitates this journey) or call the local emergency number -- a good guidebook should have this information.
It is most important to be prepared to deal with a medical emergency if you are traveling with children; if you have an existing medical condition or are traveling with someone who does; or if you will be taking part in potentially dangerous physical activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing or hiking. If you are camping or spending time in a less developed destination, you should also be especially prepared.
How to Be Prepared
Start with the Consular Information Sheets
If you aren't familiar with the country you're visiting, the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheets are a good place to start to see what type of medical services will be available to you once you're there. Select your country and look for "Medical Facilities and Health Information." You can also find a list of doctors and hospitals abroad on the U.S. State Department's Web site. If you're traveling domestically, contact your insurance company for a list of in-network hospitals and doctors at your destination (you may want to do this a few weeks in advance, as the insurance company might send the list in the mail).
Check Your Insurance
Before you travel, call your health insurance provider to see what coverage, if any, you will have in the destinations you're visiting. Some insurance companies will not cover injuries or illness outside your home country, while others require that you pay for any treatment up front and then apply for reimbursement after you get home. If you're not satisfied with the coverage available to you, look into purchasing a travel insurance policy that will cover health care and emergency medical evacuation.
Collect and Pack the following health care contact information before you leave and keep a copy with you during your trip:
Write down the following information in your address book, smart phone, journal or itinerary and keep it with you at all times:
- Your doctor's office and home phone numbers in case you need a consultation or in the event of an emergency that occurs outside of his or her regular office hours while traveling.
- HMO/insurance company contact information in case you need to get approval for treatment (don't forget your insurance card)
- Travel insurance company contact information, if applicable
- Embassy contact information for countries in which you are traveling
- Contact information for a relative or loved one at home, especially if you are traveling alone
- Be aware of any disease risks in the destination that you are traveling to and get the proper immunizations before you leave.
- If you are camping or staying in a remote area, pack a first-aid kit. Also, give a copy of your itinerary to someone at home; this way, if something happens to you and you are unable to call for medical help, someone will know where to find you.
- All of this information should be with your primary identification in your carry-on luggage, wallet, purse or money belt so that, should you be incapacitated, whoever comes to your assistance will find it. If you have serious allergies or a medical condition such as diabetes, be sure to ask your doctor about medical emergency bracelets.
Know the Generic Names of Your Medications
Common brand names at home may not be available or widely known where you are traveling. It's a good idea to bring along a list of any medications you're currently taking, but be sure to include the scientific name as well as the brand name (such as atorvastatin calcium for Lipitor or esomeprazole for Nexium).
Knowing the generic/medical names of common medications is also helpful when you're hunting for over-the-counter remedies in a foreign country. We recommend packing a range of common travel medications in a first-aid kit before you leave, but if you need to replenish your supplies while traveling, keep in mind the following generic medication names:
- Advil/Motrin/Aleve = ibuprofen
- Tylenol/Excedrin = acetaminophen
- Bayer, others = aspirin
- Benadryl (antihistamine) = diphenhydramine
- Dramamine = dimenhydrinate
- Bonine = meclizine
- Pepto-Bismol = bismuth subsalicylate
- Antacids = calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide
- Imodium = loperamide
Locating Doctors and Clinics While Traveling Abroad
The U.S. State Department provides a list of doctors and hospitals abroad. The nearest embassy or consulate in your destination should also have recommendations. Finally, check your guidebook -- many include hospital, clinic or doctor recommendations.
Especially at upscale lodgings, ask the hotel concierge for physician recommendations. Some doctors will make "house calls" to your hotel. Alternatively, your best bet may be to contact the nearest medical school, where you will often find English-speaking doctors and students.
Additional Contact Information
The following government and private agencies provide valuable health information for travelers going overseas:
Our site contains over 100 pages of travel safety tips and security tips that are useful for any traveler. You will find tips involving luggage theft, avoiding pickpockets, laptop theft, hotel burglary, and airplane, train, automobile, and boat travel crimes.
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