Benefits and Risks of medical tourism

A growing number of Europeans and North Americans have decided to seek medical treatment in South America, South Africa, or Asia. Medical tourism may not be for everyone, but increasing numbers of potential patients are tempted by a holiday in a faraway nation where they can get medical care which is just as good quality and far cheaper than in their home countries.

This guide to medical tourism is just a brief explanation of its risks and advantages, and is certainly not intended to replace suggestions from a qualified medical professional.

Medical tourism destinations

Most popular among the many procedures performed on medical tourists are dental treatments, heart surgery, orthopaedic operations, and cosmetic surgery. Argentina and Brazil have more residents who have undergone plastic surgery than most other countries, so people wanting cosmetic operations feel confident with their experienced doctors. Turkey is the closest medical tourism destination for most Europeans, while many Americans cross the border to Mexico for reconstructive surgery and dental treatments. Costa Rica is a country with several American trained physicians and a higher health care ranking than the United States, while Panama has English as one of its official languages and a currency which is equal value to the American dollar.

People thinking about cosmetic procedures in the Philippines should proceed with caution because doctors in that country who have never specialised in that kind of surgery can claim to be plastic surgeons. The Philippines, however, provides good care for all other procedures, as do other Asian countries like Malaysia, India, and Thailand.

Benefits of medical tourism

The majority of medical tourists arrive from the United States, a country where medical care expenses have soared during the past few years, insurance doesn't cover a lot of procedures, and several Americans aren't insured at all. At least 500,000 Americans became medical tourists in 2005, and the figures have only gone up in the years after that. Quality medical treatment in foreign countries, which includes accommodation and travel fees, can be only a fraction of the price of the same procedure in an American hospital.

The main reason why residents of nations with universal health care choose medical tourism is to bypass the extensive amount of time they need to wait for non-emergency procedures such as replacements of the hip or knee. Patients at most hospitals in Asia or South America experience much shorter wait times or none at all.

Concerns about the level of health care in developing countries quickly disappear as soon as patients find out many doctors were trained in Western hospitals, hospital rooms seem more like hotel suites, and the fact hospital bills and wait times are both much smaller than in many Western countries. The staff at many of these hospitals are always cheerful and willing to make patients more comfortable, and many facilities are affiliated with renowned American hospitals.

Non-elective procedures are covered by many insurance plans, even when they are performed abroad, and many patients are even able to take family and friends with them thanks to the wide variety of affordable package deals which cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, and even a post treatment rest and relaxation period.

Risks of medical tourism

Nevertheless, medical tourism does have its disadvantages and risks. Certification and licensure isn't as stringent in several nations as in North America or Europe, so completely investigating any potential doctors is highly recommended long before any medical tourism plans are made.

Foreign doctors may not carry as much malpractice insurance as their American colleagues, but it's also much more difficult to take legal action if something goes wrong. Patients are strongly advised to receive as much follow up treatment as they can where they received their initial procedure because insurance may not cover future treatments back home.

Immediate travel after medical treatment, especially by air, is strongly discouraged because flying less than a week after surgery may cause serious side effects like pulmonary embolisms, blood clots, swelling, and infection. Resting too little, and sunbathing or drinking too much following a medical procedure may also result in serious consequences.

Above all, please consult a doctor prior to arranging any major medical treatment at home or abroad.

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