Travel Assistance 101: How to Use On Call’s Nurse Helpline

Imagine: You’re traveling in Switzerland and you wake up with swollen eyes, a headache and a stuffy nose. The over-the-counter medication you packed doesn’t seem to be working, and it’s starting to put a damper on your trip.

What’s next? You’re not sure if you’re ill enough to see a doctor, but it would be nice to speak with a medical professional so you can get on with your travels—after all, you have loads of business meetings planned and you don’t want to miss a beat! Have no fear—our Nurse Helpline is here for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  While not every illness or injury warrants a trip to the ER or doctor’s office, it’s always smart to err on the side of caution anytime you’re not feeling well. Here’s how it works:

  • Give us a call (feel free to call us collect if you’re calling from overseas) and ask to speak to a nurse

  • Describe your symptoms and any medications you’ve been taking.

  • If your symptoms are not serious, the nurse will provide instructions for proper self-care to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible. In the case of the allergy attack in Switzerland, for example, the nurse would also discuss your current medication and dosage to determine next steps.

  • If the nurse thinks you need medical attention, On Call can arrange for a hotel doctor or find a local physician for you.

That’s it! You can always call our Nurse Helpline when:

    • You’re not sure if you need medical care from a doctor

    • You’re not sure if you should go to the emergency room

    • You have questions about how to care for a minor injury or illness while traveling

But remember—if you’re experiencing a medical emergency always call 911 or the local equivalent (if traveling internationally) before contacting On Call so that you can receive immediate medical attention.

Want to learn more?
On Call’s clients are encouraged to consult with us for the most up-to-date information on their destinations and recommendations around risk prevention and travel health planning. For everyone else, please feel free to get in touch with us for more information, as well as how On Call can help protect your travelers with our customized travel risk management and assistance programs.

For over 25 years, On Call International has provided fully-customized travel risk management and global assistance services protecting millions of travelers, their families, and their organizations. Contact us today and watch our video to learn more. You can also stay in touch with On Call’s in-house risk management, travel health and security experts by signing up for our quarterly Travel Risk Management (TRM) newsletter.