University of Lynchburg Doctoral Project Assignment Repository
Specialty
Primary Care
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the most pressing challenges facing healthcare systems worldwide. International travel contributes to the cross-border spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), but the risks of healthcare exposure abroad are less understood. Electronic databases were searched for current literature on international travel, foreign healthcare exposure, AMR and MDROs, and clinical implications. The evidence suggests that MDRO acquisition depends on a combination of exposures rather than international travel alone. Antimicrobial exposure is an established risk factor for MDRO acquisition regardless of geographic setting, but during international travel it may occur alongside healthcare exposure in regions with different rates of resistant organisms. Asymptomatic colonization may persist for months after return. This can complicate infection prevention and empiric antimicrobial selection during subsequent illness. A detailed travel and healthcare history may help clinicians recognize higher-risk patients and guide infection-prevention and empiric antimicrobial decisions. Future research should focus on developing standardized risk-stratification tools and evidence-based screening protocols as international travel and healthcare abroad continue to increase.
KEY WORDS: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), travel medicine, international travel, foreign healthcare exposure, infection prevention
Recommended Citation
Gibbons T. Foreign Healthcare Exposure as a Risk Factor for Antimicrobial Resistance and Clinical Implications for Returned Travelers. University of Lynchburg Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(3).
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