Medical tourism is also called as health tourism or medical travel. Simply put it means moving to some other country with an intention of health care. In the near past, this has been a quickly growing practice. The term was coined by mass media and travel agencies. The health issues usually handled are complex specialized surgeries like cosmetic surgery, dental surgery, and cardiac surgery, joint replacement of hip or knee as well as elective procedures. The patients of medical tourism have to bear in mind the extra cost of accommodation and travel before finalizing the location for treatment. Reproductive tourism is a special subset of medical tourism. This indicates traveling to some other country for in-vitro fertilization and other reproductive technology treatments.
Background
Epidauria was the first travel destination for medical tourism. This place in the Saronic Gulf was visited by Greek pilgrims after traveling over the Mediterranean. The reason was that this place was the sanctuary of Asklepios, who was the healing god. An initial form of medical tourism can be seen in sanitariums and spa towns.
Current situation
There are certain factors that have propelled medical tourism. These are as follows – the standard and technology of medical care has improved considerably in a large number of countries. International travel has become easy as well as affordable. Certain procedures require a long waiting time. Health care has become exorbitant.
Medical tourism is practiced in all corners of the world including the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Japan. The reason of opting for medical tourism in these places are as follows – high expectation of the individuals regarding health care, scarcity of health care facilities in the local region, exorbitant cost of health care, relatively greater wealth and large population.
Advantages
Medical tourism is practiced by those who have convenience and speed on their agenda. For instance, a hip replacement has a waiting time of at least one year in the United Kingdom and Canada. However, in areas like India, Philippines, Colombia, Cuba, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore, the patient can get operated one day after his advent.
One more issue is that of insurance. Patients have come to know that insurance does not include hip or knee replacement. Also, there are irrelevant restrictions on the selection of the surgeon, facility, prosthetics to be used. Medical tourism for hip or knee replacement has been accepted as a prevalent procedure due to the following reasons – lesser cost and minimum difficulties regarding travel.
Medical tourism has one very important aspect – that is of expense. It has been noted that a heart valve replacement that would sum up to $200,000 in the United States would cost merely $10,000 if done in India. The Lasik eye surgery that would cost $3700 in the United States is available at a sum of only $730 in other countries.
The famous medical tourism destinations worldwide are Thailand, South Africa, Singapore, The Philippines, Malaysia, Lithuania, Jordan, Hungary, Hong Kong, Colombia, Cuba, Brunei and India. The recent additions to this list are New Zealand, Tunisia, UAE and Saudi Arabia. For cosmetic surgery the destinations are Turkey, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina.
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April 10th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Argentina is really heating up in terms of medical tourism plus people will be able to visit some of the beautiful scenery in Buenos Aires. GoSculptura is a solid choice for patients who are planning to get their medical procedures in Argentina. Here is a good reason why.. Thanks
April 12th, 2008 at 2:10 am
“Health Value Travel” or “Medical Tourism” is a growing global phenomenon that is helping to reshape the larger health care industry. In your Article, you have nicely described the concept of Medical Tourism. Thanks -
Prakash Arige
Health Value Travel
June 17th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Cosmetic Dental treatment are performed with a very high class service and with up to 70 % cheaper prices by Tourmedical. Turkey is turning to a very popular health and cosmetic dental tourism center. Thank you all for your interest and thanks for this article !