Seafarers are showing reluctance to report health concerns early due to a lack of onboard medical confidentiality.
This is according to Marine Medical Solutions (MMS), which says access to confidential medical support at sea remains limited, as most seafarers cannot contact a doctor directly and must first report concerns through a vessel’s command structures.
By the time a professional is involved, personal health information has often been shared with multiple people, many of whom have no medical expertise and little need to know.
MMS, a member of the OneCare Group, urged employers to handle seafarers’ health concerns with discretion to minimise impact on the entire crew.
“Seafarers today are more aware of their health than ever before. They pay attention to symptoms and understand the importance of getting help early,” said Dr Jens Tülsner, MMS CEO.
Having grown up alongside technology, younger seafarers often seek information privately online and try to make sense of a problem before deciding whether to raise it with a senior officer or a medical professional. This was not always about toughness or reluctance to cope, but reflected the way that people engaged with health information today, Tülsner said.
He added that the way medical support was structured onboard also discouraged early reporting. Experiences can vary depending on who is in charge – some captains and senior officers escalate concerns immediately, while others try to mitigate issues onboard themselves first. This inconsistency leaves seafarers uncertain about how their concerns will be handled.
As a result, minor symptoms may be minimised and problems self-managed, meaning conditions that could have been addressed early may develop into more serious issues, creating unnecessary risk for both the seafarer and the crew.
“If we want seafarers to feel comfortable coming forward, we must first give them the confidence that their concerns will be handled with the utmost discretion,” said Tülsner
