The right to medical assistance for seafarers. Ethical and practical consequences of the introduction of telemedicine to improve healthcare on board ships

COVID-19 and seafarers’ rights to shore leave, repatriation and medical assistance: a pilot study

“…Technological advancements yield benefits, and disadvantages. Tele Medical Assistance Service (TMAS) has improved access to healthcare for seafarers on board [33,34] and reduced requirement of medical evacuations [35]. On the other hand, a case study of the United States revealed that neoliberal policies taken together with technology could create conditions that may for example, increase health inequity among seafarers [36].…”

Development of physical training smartphone application to maintain fitness levels in seafarers

“…Seafaring is a particular profession in which workers are usually exposed to several stressors that are related to the different duties on board ships [14,15]. Seafaring is still associated with relevant mental health risks, but exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve mental health.…”

“…regular exercise can have a high impact on depression, anxiety, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, and helps to sleep better [14][15][16]. The "wellness on ship" app was designed to provide physical education for seafarers.…”

TelePharmaSea: proposing a novel approach to automate, organize and simplify management of medical chest on board commercial vessels

“…Nowadays, it is no longer a container enclosing medicines and medical devices, but rather a real pharmacy on board that has a wide range of health products. The manager of drug management is the master, or a designated officer, who also holds the responsibility of keeping the on-board pharmacy always stocked and efficient [9].…”