Medical and Dental Tourism in India - Part 3

Part 3 - Tips and Advice

In the previous section we looked at the pros and cons of medical tourism. 

If you are considering travelling for medical treatment it is important to know your options and prepare well.

 

Do your homework

Find out about the proposed procedure, the benefits and risks.  Research which destinations and treatment centres have a proven track record and good reputation for the specialty. The Patients Beyond Borders website has a lot of good information (click for link). 

You can also check the Joint Commision International's service World Hospital Search to find JCI accredited health care organizations (click for link).





If possible, get reviews or talk to others who have had the same procedure or been to the same clinic or hospital. Find out if the medical staff speak your language or whether you will require an interpreter.

Finding the best doctor or physician

If possible, get personal recommendations of doctors from those who have been treated by them. Do not rely on reviews on the internet as there is no way to check if they are genuine.

You can check a doctor's qualifications, licence to practice and membership of professional associations. Find out where a doctor did their training and how many years they have been in practice. Check if the doctor is board certified (USA), or on the specialist list (in other countries) for the area they are working in. For example, if a doctor or surgeon trained in the USA, they may be American Board Certified and working in another country.

Doctors who are well known in their field have often published research papers, which you can search for on-line.

Find out which hospitals or clinics the doctor or surgeon practices in, and whether these are internationally accredited.

Ask questions

You should be able to speak to the doctor or surgeon before you travel, either by phone or on-line consultation.

Here are some questions to ask:

• How many of this type of procedure have you performed and what is your success rate?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• Is the surgical facility accredited?
• What are the risks associated with the procedure and how can these be minimised?
• What is the cost of treatment?
• What is the expected recovery time, what kind of help would I need in the recovery phase and when would I be able to return home?
• How do you deal with any complications, if they arise?

  

Know your rights

Find out how the medical profession is regulated in the country you are travelling to and who you could contact in case of any concerns or complaints. Check your doctor's qualifications and membership of professional and licencing associations. Find out about travel insurance for your trip and what it will, and will not, cover.

 

Have realistic expectations

A good doctor will advise on various options for treatment as well as expected recovery time and possible side effects. Beware of those who offer miracle cures.

 

Consult with local physician or surgeon and arrange follow-up care upon your return

It is important to inform your local physician of your intention to travel. They may be able to give you valuable advice in addition to arranging any follow up care you may require.

Medical records

You will need to take records of your complete medical history, or have these transferred to the doctor who will be treating you. It is also important to obtain the medical records of your treatment for your physician in your home country.

 

Travel with a friend or relative

It can help to have moral support and someone to help you, especially in the recovery phase.

 

Find out about visa regulations

If you need a visa you need to allow sufficient time for the application process. Some countries allow for visa on arrival at the airport.

 

Budget for all associated costs

Whilst calculating savings for your medical care, don't forget to budget for all costs such as flights and transfers, visas, food and accommodation and vacation activities.

 

Pre-travel health advice

Consult a travel health provider at least 6 weeks prior travel to arrange any necessary vaccinations and any other precautions, e.g. antimalarial measures, which may be required for your destination. You should also discuss the risks of travelling, and especially flying after surgery. Air travel is not recommended for at least 7-10 days following many types of surgery.

 

Plan timing of any travel and vacation activities

Depending on the planned treatment, you will need to allow enough time for rest and recovery. It may be better to plan sightseeing and other activities before, rather than after surgery.

 

Consider using a medical tourism facilitator

A medical tourism facilitator can help in all the arrangements, from the planning stage right up until follow-up care in your home country. Be aware that there is no standard regulation for medical tourism facilitators. Choose a facilitator who is highly recommended by previous clients and has international accreditation.

In the last section, we will look more specifically at Dental Tourism

Medical and Dental Tourism in India - Part 1

What is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism is the term used when someone travels for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment. Although some definitions include domestic medical tourism, within the same country, the term is mostly used for foreign medical travel. The number of medical tourists is on the increase. Although it is difficult to obtain reliable statistics, it is estimated that currently between 8 and 12 million people travel abroad annually for healthcare. The medical tourism market is thought to be growing at a rate of 15-25% annually.

In the past, the majority of medical tourists were from less developed countries travelling to seek treatments that were not available in their home country. Whilst this is still the case, more recently, the trend is for people to travel abroad to seek treatment at a lower cost. 

The phrase "medical tourism" may be relatively new but the practice of travelling for health reasons dates back to antiquity. One of the earliest known destinations is Epidauria, in ancient Greece, which was believed to be the birthplace of Apollo's son, Asclepeios, the healer. From the 6th century BC or even earlier, those who were sick would travel long distances to seek healing. 

In Israel, the Dead Sea is believed to be one of the world's first health resorts, dating back to the time of King Herod the Great. For over two thousand years up to the present time people have traveled to the Dead Sea for health therapies, due to the high mineral content of the water and beneficial climatic features.   

Why do people choose to travel for healthcare?

There may be many factors involved in a person's choice. Here are some of the most common reasons:

Cost

Treatment abroad may be available at a fraction of the compared to the USA or Europe. It is estimated that 40 to 45 million Americans (one in seven) do not have health insurance and many more may be under-insured. Some people are unable to get insurance for a pre-existing condition. Even for those who have insurance, certain treatments and procedures may not be covered (eg. cosmetic surgery) and for some treatments the deductible amount the patient has to pay may be higher than the total cost of travelling abroad for treatment. 

Less Waiting

In countries with nationalized health services, such as the Canada, Australia, the UK and many other European countries, there may be long waiting lists for important surgeries. By seeking treatment abroad, individuals may be able to get treatment with minimal or no waiting.

Treatment not available at home

Some treatments may not be available due to lack of resources. Other procedures may be unauthorised or even illegal, in the person's own country eg. new, experimental treatments, some reproductive technologies or surrogacy. People also travel for traditional medical practices, such as Ayurveda, in India.

Tourism

People may use the chance to have a vacation see a new place whilst also receiving medical treatment.

Which specialties are popular with medical tourists?

• Orthopedics - including hip and knee operations
• Heart Surgery
• Fertility and Reproductive Health
• Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Oncology (cancer treatment)
• Weight loss surgery
• Ophthalmology (eye surgery)
• Dentistry

Where are the top medical tourism destinations?

• Malaysia - burns treatment, health screening
• Thailand - cosmetic surgery
• India - surgery, especially heart surgery and orthopedics
• Brazil - cosmetic surgery
• Singapore - many surgical specialties and stem cell treatments
• Costa Rica - cosmetic surgery, dentistry
• Hungary - dentistry
• Mexico - dentistry and cosmetic surgery
• Turkey - ophthalmology

amongst many other countries.


In further posts we will look more specifically at the pros and cons of medical tourism, tips and advice for those considering medical care abroad and more specifically at medical and dental tourism in India.