Medical Tourism

August 25, 2023

IS MEDICAL TOURISM IMPACTFUL FOR THE HEALTH INDUSTRY

As the world embarks upon the journey of globalization the idea of traveling across continents to reach facilities that are not available in the home country has become common. The digitization of healthcare has benefited health practitioners to a great extent. Moreover, telehealth services and tele doctor consultations have greatly benefited the patients to reach fast recovery methods than ever before. Amidst the situation, increased healthcare facilities, EHR/EMR, and Robotics in surgery are the new normal. As millions of dollars and hours of research have gone into providing the best health services worldwide, medical tourism is a thriving concept.

Medical tourism is a need of the hour for fast remedies to problems that are present in the world. It is beneficial as it helps the global Healthcare systems and also the global health economy to nurture. Advancement in global healthcare is a testament to future ventures.

Patients from all over the world are gaining more control over their healthcare options by seeking information from multiple sources other than their normal healthcare providers and, in some circumstances, opting to seek care outside of their own country’s medical system. The term medical tourism is a very broad concept that includes a myriad of activities. It is majorly a patient’s travel scheme from one nation to another to reach better medical facilities. There are several reasons why people may travel abroad for attaining treatment.

The major reasons may include

  • Increased expenses in the home country
  • Better prospects for international traveling
  • Technological advancements
  • Better options available in other states
  • Improved R & D in some states than others
  • Qualified Surgeons
  • Advanced techniques and issues of legality for some medicines

Quality Care

Doctors worldwide go to advance nations such as China, the UK, and the USA for higher studies. Once they attain the degree, they affiliate themselves with international organizations and work for a better global cause. These surgeons are qualified and major preferences of people who have medical conditions that are not easily curable. People may travel from far-off places to reach them and get the medical care they want with the belief of healing fast. These practitioners show their commitment to work and provide financial assistance to their patients. Moreover, health insurance and other fringe benefits are also common reasons why people prefer traveling.

Cost-Friendly

In some cases, the cost of traveling is cheaper than getting medical care in your home nation which is why some people migrate to cheaper states. It is a fact that in the US the costs of healthcare are higher and therefore people may travel to other states which are cheaper to save money.

The cheap cost of labor in some countries which offer advanced medical treatment is the major reason behind some people’s willingness to travel. Even though the treatment is not very costly, the surgeons are qualified and have advanced equipment, offer insurance, look after administrative expenses, etc. Moreover, EHR Software in some states may ease the task of revisiting the medical records of patients.

Lavish Facilities

The treatment costs of people who travel from far-off places go into the improvement of local healthcare. Moreover, it allows medical tourists to be treated as if they are in a luxury hotel. Some hospitals have treatment wards that are more lavish than typical hospitals. Moreover, they also provide 24/7 assistance and attendant facilities that cannot be found elsewhere. This makes the medical tour more of a holiday, easing the mental stress of patients via appropriate treatment facilities.

Surgeons With Skill

Certain nations’ surgeons are noted for their skill in a certain area of surgery. Brazilian surgeons, for example, are frequently praised for their expertise in cosmetic procedures. Whereas insurance companies in the United States may only cover cosmetic operations if they are medically required, cosmetic surgery is frequently easy and low-cost in Brazil’s public hospitals, providing cosmetic surgeons plenty of practice.

Thailand and China are said to be the most popular medical tourism destination for people seeking gender reassignment. Surgery is frequently simpler to qualify for, and the expense is greatly lowered. Surgeons conduct the treatments regularly, and as a result, many have become highly skilled in them.

Medical tourism has far too many advantages to list. One example may be benefits for those who want to save money by not investing too much in quality healthcare. Moreover, medical tourism enables patients to obtain the greatest care in a foreign place via Ai bots and online procedures for a fraction of the cost of a developed nation, while also helping the other country’s economic recovery and progress, so it’s a win-win scenario for everyone.