Picking a Pro

Medical Editor Dr. Richard Dawood's guide to finding the top U.S. travel health specialists

Most people think of travel clinics as places to go for vaccines before a trip, but a good travel clinic is much more than a "shot shop." It should offer a complete review of key health issues related to your trip, taking into account numerous personal factors, including whether you are young or old, male or female, pregnant, diabetic, immunosuppressed, or have pre-existing health conditions. Medical personnel at a good travel clinic should provide detailed information about likely health risks at your destination, as well as advice on the prevention and treatment of common problems such as intestinal infections, what medicines and supplies to travel with, and guidance on how and when to seek further help.

How do you choose a travel clinic or travel medicine specialist? Experience counts, so pick one that treats a large number of patients and that has staff who are familiar with issues around the globe and with treating travelers after they return from a trip. Although it's not a guarantee of excellence, a doctor's longstanding membership in, and certification by, a professional organization such as the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) and/or the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) is a good indication of a long-term commitment to travelers' health. Other signs that a doctor is accomplished in travel medicine are authorship of books or journal articles on the subject; involvement in teaching, research, or international public health or professional associations; and a history of practicing medicine overseas. Avoid clinics where vaccine sales take precedence over professional consultation, and those where travel medicine is practiced purely as a sideline.

A good place to begin your search is the online travel clinic directories of the ISTM (istm.org) and the ASTMH (astmh.org). Clearly, some regions enjoy more choice: In many parts of the United States, there's a wide selection of specialist clinics, while in others, the options are more limited. Your primary care doctor may also be able to help point you in the right direction, as may other travelers who have found a clinic or a doctor who provides excellent care.