DOI: 10.47582/jompac.1980957 ISSN: 2717-7505

International patients attending a physiatry clinic in a major tourist destination: clinical characteristics and rehabilitation needs

Selkin Yılmaz Muluk, Seden Demirci, Bektaş Açıkgöz
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Aims: Tourist health is an emerging field as increasing numbers of older adults travel internationally. Yet, little is known about the physiatry needs of foreign travelers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of foreign patients receiving physiatry care in a high-volume tourist destination and to test whether traumatic and neurological conditions are the main reasons for inpatient admission, while spinal disorders predominate among outpatients and inpatients are older than outpatients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 137 foreign patients (68 inpatients, 69 outpatients) admitted to a physiatry clinic in a high-volume tourist destination between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were analyzed. Results: Inpatients were generally older (median age 80.50 years, interquartile range (IQR): 62.75-84.00) and most often required rehabilitation after trauma and neurological events, while outpatients were younger (median age 45.00 years, IQR: 39.00-64.00) and mainly presented with spinal pain. Trauma was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of inpatient admission, whereas EU/EEA & Western European origin was associated with lower odds of inpatient status compared to other origin countries. Hypertension was the most frequent comorbidity observed. Conclusion: Physiatry clinics in tourist areas care for a diverse, predominantly older inpatient population and a younger outpatient group with spine-related complaints. These findings highlight the need to strengthen geriatric rehabilitation and spine care capacity in high-tourism regions.

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