Medical Tourism: Traveling the Globe for Health Care

Navigating the health care system can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are a patient seeking a medical procedure that is not covered by your health insurance plan or for which the cost is excessive. Even if the costs of the procedure are covered in full, it could take months before it is scheduled. Depending on the type of procedure, it could require the services of a highly trained physician with specialized certifications. In rural locations, there may not be any practitioners with these qualifications. In other situations, an individual may be searching for a physician who shares their specific cultural values and demographic background. This could further reduce the pool of available doctors thus making it even more difficult to find a physician they feel comfortable with. There was a time when this left patients with few, if any, options. Now, with the trend of medical tourism becoming more widely accepted, that is no longer the case.

Medical tourism is a type of tourism where people travel to other countries to receive health care but do so in a way that includes tourism-related activities. Over the last decade, rapid advancements in technology have given rise to the globalization of the world economy which has helped facilitate the growth of medical tourism. In addition, the significant escalation in the cost of health care in the United States has contributed to the increased popularity of medical tourism. As more U.S. residents find themselves experiencing financial challenges, they are opting to receive medical care in other countries where costs are significantly lower. A recently published study projects that by 2036, there could be a shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 physicians in the U.S. With the demand for medical care expected to outpace the projected numbers of doctors in the U.S., the practice of medical tourism is likely to increase. While it may be an attractive option for some people, medical tourism has its pros and cons which must be considered. Abena Aidoo Hewton, associate professor in the Tourism and Events Management Program in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management (SRTM) at George Mason University, recently shared her thoughts on the “good” and the “bad” of medical tourism.

Greater access to international travel and information on the internet has boosted the growth of medical tourism.

Competition in the travel industry has made international travel less expensive and more accessible. This has made it easier for individuals to make the journey to places outside of their home country to have medical procedures done. In addition, the digital age has provided individuals the opportunity to obtain a wealth of information on any number of topics, including health care and its associated costs, with just a few clicks. This ease of travel and greater access to information has helped make medical tourism the booming business it is today. According to the “Yellow Book” issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most frequented medical tourism destination spots for U.S. residents include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Singapore, and Thailand. Treatment is most sought for cancer care, dental procedures, fertility issues, organ and tissue transplantation, cosmetic surgery, non-cosmetic surgery, and substance abuse.

The Checklist for Medical Tourism

If after reviewing all options for obtaining medical services, an individual decides to travel to another country for care, there are certain steps that should be followed to ensure they have a positive experience. This requires doing a lot of homework.

For example, it is important to determine if the hospital or facility where the procedure will be done is recognized by accrediting bodies such as the Joint Commission International. Accreditation indicates that appropriate health care delivery standards have been met. However, it is still important to remember that standards in countries outside the U.S. may vary from one location to the next. This is also true of the prescriptions and medical devices used in some countries, especially developing nations.

An individual should also confirm the credentials and qualifications of the doctor administering the treatment or procedure. The American College of Surgeons recommends that individuals should seek care from physicians and anesthesiologists “certified in their specialties through a process equivalent to that established by the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.”

Once you have selected a physician who will be performing the procedure, it is important to participate in a pre-travel consultation with that doctor. Ideally, an individual’s regular primary care physician should be part of this consultation to address any issues specific to a person’s medical history that could affect the outcome of the planned procedure. If language is a barrier, it may be necessary to hire an interpreter to ensure that the conversation is clearly understood by all parties involved. The consultation should also include a discussion about any vaccinations that might be needed prior to travel and whether the patient should continue taking medications prescribed by their regular physician at home while they are undergoing treatment abroad.

Continuity of Care

The issue of continuity of care when the patient returns home is another important consideration. Medical complications that could arise during post-surgical recovery can be addressed more effectively if the patient’s regular primary care physician has access to all medical records related to the care that was delivered abroad. These records need to be in a language that the patient’s regular doctor can understand.

Risks of Flying After Surgery

Finally, an individual should understand the potential risks involved in taking long flights after having surgery. These risks include the development of blood clots and other conditions that could be potentially life-threatening.

To learn more about the Tourism and Events Management Program within the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Mangement at George Mason University, please visit the program website.