title: Characteristics of radio medical advice to fishing vessels in Scottish coastal waters.
abstract: We examined the emergencies arising on fishing vessels in Scottish Coastal Waters which required ship-to-shore radio medical advice. All calls to the service were identified for the 12-month period from August 2005. A total of 186 calls were received; 38% of calls were from fishing vessels. During the study period 53% of the calls were trauma-related, while 47% were medical emergencies. Our data suggest that there are many fishermen working offshore with chronic medical conditions. Overall, 85% of calls from fishing vessels resulted in evacuation as the outcome. Improved occupational health screening, compliance with health and safety legislation, and an evidence-based approach to remote medical care may improve seafarer self-care and reduce emergency evacuations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK. mark.mitchelson@nhs.net
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mitchelson
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Armes
authors.forename: J Graham
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D011845:Radio; D012606:Scotland; D012767:Ships / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy