Background
The course offers updated information on the effects of various medical conditions related to the work ability of seafarers, as well as knowledge on how to assess and evaluate these conditions. This includes discussion on the current risk of occurrence of medical problems on board a ship, which medical conditions should be considered important, the critical time needed for treatment/ access to appropriate land-based care; and the extent of the threat and danger caused by medical problems to the patient and other persons on board.

The renewal of international medical examination standards is also a part of the programme.

Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide the participants an overview and understanding of the risks of some medical conditions that may effect a person's work ability on board a ship and how to determine, when a person is fit or unfit for work at sea. Harmonisation of conducting medical examinations for seafarers will also be discussed.
Participants will have an opportunity to gain personal experience in bridge- and communication simulators and listen to the newest research results on vigilance and sea sickness.

Target group
Medical doctors, nurses, and occupational hygienists working in the field of maritime occupational health as well as ship company managers and maritime authorities involved in health and safety.

Main topics
- Risks due to medical conditions and their occurrence on board
- Safety aspects on board due to seafarers with certain health problems
- Evaluation and criterion of medical fitness with respect to various diagnoses
- Harmonisation of medical standards for service at sea

Course structure
The course will consist of lectures given by invited experts in the field as well as case presentations, discussions, and group work. The participants are encouraged to present their own cases and problems they have encountered when working in health services for seafarers.

Lecturers
Tim Carter, Chief Medical Adviser, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Chair of International Maritime Health Association, Medical fitness criteria working group
Andra Ergle, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Forvaters Terra Ltd- Maritime Occupational Clinic, Riga, Lativa
Alf Magne Horneland, Chief Medical Officer, Head of Norwegian Centre for Maritime Medicine, Bergen, Norway
Eilif Dahl, MD, MHA, PhD, Professor, University of Bergen, Norwegian Centre for Maritime Medicine, Bergen, Norway
Markku Sainio, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Team leader, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
Heikki Saarni, MD, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Chief Medical Officer, Transport and Logistics, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Turku, Finland
Henrik L. Hansen, MD, PhD, Head of the Regional office of public health in southern Denmark, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Maritime Health and Safety at University of Southern Denmark
Nigels Griffiths, Chairman/ Head of Department - Medical Law. Marine Advisory Medical Service, Cardiff, UK
Jonas Brisman, MD, PhD, Specialist in occupational medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
Dr. Rob Verbist, Mediport, Antwerpern, The Netherlands
Ingela Krantz, MD, PhD, Professor in infectious diseases and public health

Venue and accommodation
The course will be held at Scandic Crown in Gothenburg. The hotel is located a 5 minute walk from Gothenburg Central Station. The venue can be reached in approximately 20 minutes by taxi from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. It is also possible to take the airport shuttle from Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Central Station.
Accommodation has been reserved for the participants at the hotel. The total price of a single room with full board is EUR 910/ person, starting Tuesday morning and closing with afternoon coffee on Friday. The price includes accommodation, breakfast, conference coffees, lunch, dinner and the social programme. For arrival on Monday an additional cost of EUR 132/person will be charged (incl. single room and breakfast).
The price of a so called day-package, including lunch and coffees but no accommodation is EUR 65 /(SEK 640)/person/day. For more information on the hotel, please visit www.scandichotels.se/crown.

Registration deadline
15 April 2010. Please register at www.niva.org/registration
A confirmation letter, which includes detailed information about practical matters, will be sent to the participants after the registration deadline.

Registration fee
EUR 450 (accommodation and meals are not included in this price).

When paying the registration fee, please indicate:  
1. Your name, 2. registration fee, 3. course code 6006. 

The payment should be made by 25 April to:
NIVA
Nordea Bank Finland Plc
Meilahti Branch, Tukholmankatu 2
FI-00250 Helsinki , Finland
Account no: 226238-2043
IBAN: FI79 2262 3800 0020 43
Swift code: NDEAFIHH

Language
The language of the course is English.

Course leader
Heikki Saarni, Adjunct Professor, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Turku
Finland
E-mail: heikki.saarni@ttl.fi

Dr. Andra Ergle, MD, Chief Medical Officer
Forvaters Terra Ltd - Maritime Occupational Clinic
Riga, Latvia

Course coordinator
Annika Bärlund, NIVA
Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A
00250 Helsinki
Finland
E-mail: annika.barlund@ttl.fi



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