WORLD HOSPITAL DIRECTORY


Some Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Tourism

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Medical TourismWhat is the quality of care that I can expect? Most of the healthcare centers abroad such as hospitals clinics and diagnostic facilities are JCI certified which means that a certain quality of healthcare is guaranteed. Some medical tourism service providers also partner with leading US institutions such as John Hopkins and Harvard Medical International. Also, most healthcare professionals practicing in these facilities have received international training.

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Tourism
What is the quality of care that I can expect? Most of the healthcare centers abroad such as hospitals clinics and diagnostic facilities are JCI certified which means that a certain quality of healthcare is guaranteed. Some medical tourism service providers also partner with leading US institutions such as John Hopkins and Harvard Medical International. Also, most healthcare professionals practicing in these facilities have received international training. Some of them are even UK Board or US Board certified. Since the reputation of the hospital worldwide is at stake, the management leave no stone unturned when it comes to providing quality care. With state of the art facilities, qualified healthcare professionals and five star hospitality, the impression that is created is that closer to a luxury hotel rather than a hospital.
Is there really as much a cost saving as I seem to hear? The answer is a resounding yes for a majority of medical procedures. How much you’re able to save depends on a number of factors such as the cost of surgery in your country and whether your insurance covers that, you travel and accommodation costs and the cost of vacation. Medical tourism is most advantageous if the insurance does not cover your entire treatment cost and you would like to have a vacation while you are being treated.
What about communication? Will the people in the country that I travel to be able to communicate with me? Countries like India, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore have highly competent Health Care professionals who are able to converse in fluent English. Most doctors would have spent many years studying or practicing in prestigious medical institutions abroad. Of course you will most likely have to factor in the accent, but that is simply a matter of getting used to.

What about the risk that is involved in being treated outside home? Medical tourism service providers take honest and transparent communications very seriously. This is not to say that that are absolutely no risks when undergoing a medical procedure. But remember that you’re in safe hands and the healthcare facilities as well as the healthcare professionals who treat you are second to none. The very same quality and care that you expect from a country like UK or the US will be provided in medical tourism destinations. But it is still very important for you to research on the hospital the doctor and the destination before you board the flight.

What can I do if there are complications after the treatment? No matter where in the world you are treated, whether you are in the US, UK or a medical tourism destination, the possibility of complications cannot be excluded. Sufficient care would be taken to prevent medical complications in the first place. But in the likelihood that complications do occur, you will be given full tertiary care. This is one reason why you should select a hospital with advanced facilities and tertiary care.

How would I manage the post surgery follow-up? First of all you should not travel back immediately after the surgery. Spend the required amount of time recovering in the hospital or even on the beach if you so fancy, and which is one of the benefits of traveling to a medical tourism destination. It is important to have accessibility to the Physician who has treated you during the recuperating period. More often than not you would be advised to spend some time in your hotel after the hospital discharge. By the time that you are cleared to return home any risk of post surgery complications would have been greatly reduced. Once you get back home frequent post surgery follow-up is required. The exact frequency varies on a case to case basis. Keep in touch with the physician in your locality and keep him abreast of your medical developments as well.