Customer health: a new role for occupational physicians.

Background: Many employees are required to travel by air as part of their work, and occupational physicians may be asked to give travel health advice and to carry out risk assessments.

Aims: This review examines the stresses of air travel, including those due to travel to and transit through the airport, as well as those arising from the aircraft cabin environment. Guidance is given on the potential effects of these stressors, particularly on those with certain underlying medical conditions, and advice given on how to mitigate some of the effects. Finally, the review looks at in-flight medical incidents and recent developments in in-flight medical care.

Conclusion: Despite the stresses of air travel, most people are able to fly safely. Some individuals are more vulnerable to these stresses and occupational physicians have an important role in ensuring that an appropriate risk assessment is carried out.