Medical Tourism ---What and What Not!!!

 Insight Post

Medical tourism, also known as medical travel or global healthcare, is a rapidly growing industry that involves traveling to another country for medical treatment. Patients can choose to travel for a variety of reasons, including lower costs, access to specialists, or to receive treatments that are not available in their home country.

One of the main reasons for the growth of medical tourism is the high cost of healthcare in some countries. Many people are unable to afford the cost of medical treatment in their home country and are able to receive the same treatment at a lower cost in another country. For example, the cost of a hip replacement surgery in the United States can be up to ten times higher than the cost of the same surgery in Mexico or Costa Rica.

Another reason for the growth of medical tourism is the availability of specialists in certain countries. Some countries have a large number of highly trained specialists who are not available in other countries. For example, India has a large number of highly trained surgeons who specialize in complex procedures such as heart surgery and organ transplants.

Medical tourism also allows patients to receive treatments that are not available in their home country. For example, some countries offer stem cell therapy, which is not yet available in many countries. Additionally, some countries offer alternative treatments such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, which are not widely available in other countries.

However, before deciding to travel for medical treatment, patients need to do their research and consider the risks and benefits. Some of the risks associated with medical tourism include lack of regulation, inadequate facilities, and poor communication with the patient. Additionally, complications can arise if the patient is not able to follow up with their treatment once they return home.

To mitigate these risks, patients should choose a reputable medical facility and conduct research on the facility's reputation and success rates. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the facility is accredited by international organizations such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) or the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua).

In conclusion, medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry that offers patients the opportunity to receive medical treatment at a lower cost, access specialists, and receive treatments that are not available in their home country. However, patients need to do their research and consider the risks before deciding to travel for medical treatment.