Decision-making: Where to Go?

Surveys and statistics in health tourism suggest different figures and ratings relating to top medical destinations, which may range depending on variety of specialties, procedures or many other criteria. But the fact is that nearly 80% of the demand for medical travel is driven by cost.

Cost Savings

So budget is one of the key factors deciding where to go. Using US retail costs across a range of specialties and procedures as a benchmark, estimates of savings for the most-traveled destinations are as follows:

• Brazil: 25-35%
• Costa Rica: 40-65%
• Hungary: 35-45%
• India: 60-90%
• Israel: 25-30%
• Korea: 35-50%
• Malaysia: 60-80%
• Mexico: 35-60%
• Singapore: 35-45%
• Taiwan: 40-55%
• Thailand: 55-75%
• Turkey: 60-75%

Non-medical or Travel expenses

As it was stated above, the main costs come under treatment price, which includes both hospital and doctor’s fees. But deciding where to go it should be also kept in mind that aside from treatment cost there are other non-medical or travel related expenses, when calculating spending totals. These are charges for:

• Passport
• Visa (if required)
• Travel insurance
• Round-trip airfare
• Transfer (airport pick-up) on arrival and departure
• Accommodation
• Transportation to and from medical center
• Meal expenses
• Daily needs
• Medical supplies
• Extras

It should be emphasized that since traveling through the assistance of medical tourism facilitator the most of non-medical expenses may be obtained for free or complimentary, which is also one of the cost-effective benefits of medical tourism.

International Accreditation

Accreditation is the best way to ensure strict external evaluation when medical centers meet standards established by an external accrediting body. Its aim is to deliver safe and high-quality healthcare, based on values and processes devised and developed by healthcare professionals for medical services. In other words, by accreditation medical tourists are ensured of quality treatment and care, regardless of where in the world the healthcare facility is located.

• Established authorities in international accreditation are:
  • ISQua – the International Society for Quality in Health Care
  • ISO – the International Organization for Standardization
  • JCI – the Joint Commission International – leading accreditation organization for medical facilities worldwide
• Other international accreditation organizations as:
  • ESQH – European Society for Quality in Healthcare
  • ACI – Accreditation Canada International
  • ACHS/ACHSI – the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
• Local medical certifications: medical centers of destination countries may be certified by their own, local accreditation, e.g:
  • Malaysian Society for Quality in Health – MSQH
  • Thai Healthcare Accreditation – HA
  • Indian National Accreditation Board for Hospitals – NABH etc.

So the second step in taking decision where to go is checking out whether considered medical center certified or not by such authorities.

Doctor’s skills and background

There is no foolproof way to vet your doctor but there are some basic steps you can take into a doctor’s credentials and record. Once you have the doctor’s name and location, try to get answers to these questions that may be helpful:

• Where did the doctor study and when?
• Where and when did the doctor undertake an internship and training?
• How long has the doctor been in practice?
• Is the doctor licensed in your state?
• What medical center(s) is the doctor affiliated with?
• Is the doctor board-certified by any local or International authorities and when?
• Has the doctor any medical research or publications on your health problem?
• The doctor’s membership with any International medical societies?

To learn more about choosing the doctor click here

Medical Liability Insurance

Another important consideration choosing target destination or healthcare provider is medical professional liability. Professional liability insurance, sometimes known as medical malpractice insurance, is a type of insurance for healthcare facilities, physicians and other licensed health care professionals (e.g., dentist, nurse), which covers liability associated with wrongful practices resulting in bodily injury, medical expenses or property damage. In this regard, the following questions may be useful:

• Does the target healthcare provider have a liability insurance policy?
• Does the doctor have a liability insurance policy?
• What is the coverage of the medical liability insurance?
• What is the extent of compensation for victims of malpractice?

Aftercare Considerations

It is of utmost importance for both patients and healthcare providers to be proactive with the aftercare process as it is an integral part of a successful medical procedure outcome and promotes a positive medical tourism experience. Here are some questions and tips that may be useful for an optimal follow-up care:

• Before traveling, make scheduled appointments before and after treatment with your local doctor. Also make sure that your doctor is aware of your medical trip and the details of your procedure or treatment.
• Find out if you should be accompanied for the aftercare process.
• Find out about the type and extent of the aftercare provided by the medical center abroad.
• Ask for the type of aftercare you may need.
• How the trip may impact your procedure outcome and is there any restrictions after the procedure or treatment?
• How long should you stay before returning home?
• Is prescribed aftercare available in your home country?
• Contact your medical tourism facilitator (if any) to inform them about the procedure and possible needs.
• Before you return home complete all your medical records and your doctor’s report that details the procedures performed and specifies recommendations for an optimal recovery process.

Travel Planning Checklist

• If you are planning to travel to another country for medical care, see your travel medicine practitioner at least 4–6 weeks before the trip to discuss general information for healthy travel and possible specific risks related to the procedure and travel before and after the procedure.
• Check for the qualifications of the doctor who will be doing the procedure and the credentials of the facility where the procedure will be done.
• Make sure that you have a written agreement with the health care facility or your medical tourism facilitator arranging the trip, defining what treatments, supplies, and care are covered by the costs of the trip.
• Determine what legal actions you can take if anything goes wrong with the procedure.
• If you go to a country the language of which you do not speak, make sure that the doctors, nurses and hospital staff in your target destination are able to communicate with you in your native language.
• Obtain copies of your medical records, which should describe any allergies you may have.
• Prepare copies of all your prescriptions and a list of all the medicines you take, including their brand names, their generic names, manufacturers, and dosages.
• Arrange for follow-up care with your local health care provider before you leave.
• Before planning "vacation" activities, such as sunbathing, drinking alcohol, swimming, or taking long tours, find out if those activities are permitted after surgery.
• Get copies of all your medical records before you return home.

Other Recommendations

Deciding where to go it is of great importance to hit the right healthcare provider and there are several ways how patients may seek information while looking for a medical facility or doctor:

• Internet resources: blogs, forums, posts, rating sites
• TV, radio ads
• Books, magazines, newspapers
• Health plan
• Doctor or other health professional
• Friends or relatives
• Word of mouth

Statistics based on different survey and researches(1) show how patients do choose a:

Internet may be useful and helpful as a source of first-hand information regarding an international healthcare provider or physician. You can also obtain this information directly from healthcare provider either medical center or medical tourism facilitator. But it is a proved fact that the most reliable and valuable information while choosing a medical facility or a doctor comes through the word of mouth.

So if you wish to get reliable advice for potential healthcare provider or to make a choice between options it is highly recommended to talk to someone else who has already had an experience with the healthcare provider or undergone the same medical procedure or similar treatment abroad.

Surely, nothing else but Happy stories are welcome. However it should be remembered that unhappy testimonials are also of important value since such healthcare providers would not be referred to you. So this kind of experience may be helpful for you to prevent any possible mistake when choosing appropriate medical center, medical tourism intermediary or physician.