Maritime health: a review with suggestions for research.
International maritime health has largely developed within the sphere of occupational health  services and international health problems. We reviewed publications in the journal International  Maritime Health from 2000 to 2010 to establish the coverage of the journal and the scope of  research in maritime health. We identified six thematic categories: healthcare access, delivery  and integration; telehealth; non-communicable diseases and physical health problems; communicable  diseases; psychological functioning and health; and safety-related issues. We describe  the research within these themes and report on their publication prominence. We also analyse  the research in terms of its geographical focus, the population groups addressed and the research  methodologies used. We suggest a broadening of maritime research to include randomised  controlled trials, longitudinal studies and more qualitative research; more research  addressing the context for non-European seafarers; and research on seafarers spouses and  family supports and obligations. We also recommend more research on psychosocial and cultural  issues and on telehealth, as well as the development of a stronger systems perspective for  promoting maritime health.
Centre for Global Health & Centre for Innovative Human Systems, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Malcolm.maclachlan@tcd.ie
Malcolm
M
MacLachlan
Bill
B
Kavanagh
Alison
A
Kay
D014943:Global Health; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D016272:Occupational Health; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D012767:Ships