Vol 63, No 1 (2012)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2012-06-05
Maritime health: a review with suggestions for research
Malcolm MacLachlan, Bill Kavanagh, Alison Kay
Vol 63, No 1 (2012)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2012-06-05
Abstract
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.
Abstract
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.
Keywords
maritime health; global health; systematic review; common challenges
Title
Maritime health: a review with suggestions for research
Journal
International Maritime Health
Issue
Vol 63, No 1 (2012)
Pages
1-6
Published online
2012-06-05
Page views
2017
Article views/downloads
3483
Bibliographic record
IMH 2012;63(1):1-6.
Keywords
maritime health
global health
systematic review
common challenges
Authors
Malcolm MacLachlan
Bill Kavanagh
Alison Kay