Tourists as inpatients in Queensland regional hospitals

Abstract

This study analysed medical record data from seven regional hospitals in Queensland to determine the types of medical conditions and injuries that resulted in overseas and interstate tourists being admitted to hospital. From a total of 135,128 admissions to the participating hospitals, 695 (0.51 per cent) were identified as overseas tourists and 3479 (2.57 per cent) were from interstate. The main reasons for admission of overseas tourists, based on principal diagnoses, were injuries and poisonings (37.6 per cent), circulatory disorders (11.7 per cent), digestive conditions (9.8 per cent), and genito-urinary disorders (8.8 per cent). For interstate tourists, the main reasons for admission were genito-urinary disorders (19.8 per cent), injuries and poisonings (15.4 percent), neoplasms (11.4 per cent) and circulatory disorders (10.6 per cent). These findings are discussed in relation to current literature in the field of travel medicine, emphasising the burden of care placed on the admitting hospital's resources, and the growing number of visitors to Queensland needing health care.

Adventure and ecotourism safety in Queensland: Operator experiences and practice

“…Indeed, adventure sports injuries comprise just 0.5% of all injuries involving sporting activity for the same period, although other categories such as 'water sports' (6.3%), equestrian activities (4.6%) and aero sports (0.4%) will contain cases that are commercial adventure tourism-related. These findings for the general population add support to the common finding that, unlike residents, overseas visitors are particularly susceptible to risks associated with outdoor, wilderness and marine-based activity, and are most likely to experience safety problems and injury in unfamiliar environments and when participating in unfamiliar activities Nichol et al, 1996;Page and Meyer, 1997;Wilks and Coory, 2002;Wilks and Watson, 1998).…”

“…Queensland hospitalization studies (Nichol, Wilks and Wood, 1996), motor vehicle crashes were the most common type of injury, comprising 22% of overseas visitor injuries, while falls on the level (16%) were the next most common injury cause, in line with New Zealand hospitalisation research . The authors also identified diving accidents as a leading type of injury-related incident for international visitors to Queensland, with a further analysis of waterrelated injuries reported by Wilks and Coory (2000) showing that decompression illness associated with scuba diving comprised 55% of water-related hospital admissions to overseas visitors.…”

Comparison of Injuries Experienced by International Tourists Visiting Australia and Australian Residents

“…Although Australia is considered a relatively safe tourist destination, 4 injuries and illness of international tourists do occur. 4,5 Injuries are a common cause of morbidity for tourists in Australia 5 and also in other countries. 6-12 Injuries often occur in unfamiliar environments and situations for tourists 8,13 and while performing unfamiliar activities or sports.…”

“…Previous Australian research has examined deaths of international tourists in Australia 4 and compared the injury experience of international and interstate tourists in Queensland. 5 However, no examination has been undertaken to compare the injury experience of international tourists and NSW residents at a population level. This is important to establish whether international tourists experience a higher rate of injury hospitalization for some injury mechanisms compared with local NSW residents to guide injury prevention strategies aimed at international tourists.…”

Overseas visitors admitted to Queensland hospitals for water‐related injuries

“…This figure is predicted to increase to 4.6 million this year, the main attraction being the Sydney Olympic Games.> Travel before and after the Games will involve overseas visitors moving about in all States and Territories, with at least some requiring medical services during their stay. 3,4 A growing number of studies suggest that overseas tourists may experience particular difficulties with water-related recreation. For example, 88 tourists from 12 countries drowned in Australia during 1992-1997,5 mostly at surfing beaches or elsewhere in the "ocean".…”