title: Nationwide survey of the role of travel medicine in primary care in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With more persons traveling to (sub)tropical destinations, travel medicine is an increasing challenge for the health care system in many countries. This study investigated the role and scope of travel medicine provided by general practitioners (GPs) in primary health care, assessed the determinants of specific prophylactic recommendations, and identified the needs of GPs regarding training and cooperation in travel medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A national survey was conducted among randomly selected GPs in Germany. Information on the type and extent of activities in travel medicine, the number and characteristics of patients, the use of specific information systems, and training and cooperation, was obtained with a standardized postal questionnaire. Representativeness was assessed by a computer-assisted telephone survey among nonrespondents. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all GPs (n=1,320), 95% provided medical pretravel advice or post-travel counseling (13.2 patients/month). The most common topics in pretravel consultation were immunizations (95%), malaria chemoprophylaxis (94%), advice on exposure prophylaxis (41%), and advice on protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (43%). GPs frequently advised certain patient groups (e.g., cardiovascular patients 68%, pregnant women 20%). Travelers' diarrhea was the most common topic in post-travel consultation (89%), followed by fever (38%). Of the GPs, 25% cooperated regularly with institutions with special expertise in travel medicine or tropical diseases. Sixty-four percent had received some training in travel medicine, and 86% stated a need for additional training. In the multivariate analysis, independent determinants for advice on exposure prophylaxis and STI risks included special training in travel medicine, use of country-specific information sources, and location of the practice in the former West Germany and urban areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Travel medicine is of importance in primary health care in Germany. There is a need for improved counseling on exposure and STI prophylaxis. GPs' training in travel medicine and cooperation with institutions such as institutes, clinics and laboratories for tropical medicine should be improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Gwendolin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ropers
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tiemann
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Du Ry van Beest Holle
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014195:Travel; D014329:Tropical Climate