Where, O Where are the Patients All Going?-00-3115
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...new companies are seeking to grab a piece of this valuable market.
As more consumers look abroad for surgeries, healthcare specialists wonder where these consumers are looking and which countries are the top destinations for medial tourists?
With rising health costs and the sinking economy, attracting patients is a concern for doctors, clinics and hospitals around the globe. Medical tourism is a relatively young industry that pushes travel across international borders for healthcare. Currently, more than 50 countries identify medical tourism as a national industry.
Some sources advise patients to choose based on the clinic or doctor's qualifications, rather than looking at particular countries. However, as the industry grows and selecting the right doctor abroad becomes an increasingly daunting task, country specialities may become more important, particularly in how consumers view each country as a quality healthcare destination.
For Americans, Canada is a top destination because of its similar standards and regulations, close proximity and compatible English language. Mexico and countries within South and Central America are also attractive for cost savings.
When examining specific types of surgeries, different countries fill various niches. Belgium and India are popular for orthopaedic surgeries, specifically hip and knee replacements, and France is known for its obesity and heart surgeries.
Asian nations like India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are rapidly growing as medical tourism destinations. The travel costs can be proportionally higher, but for more expensive and intensive surgeries, such as open-heart surgery or knee replacements, the money spent compared to the quality found is a valuable trade-off.
For cosmetic surgeries, Brazil, Costa Rica and South Africa are the more popular destinations, but Europeans tend to stay closer to home, visiting places like Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Cyprus and even Eastern European nations like Lithuania and Bulgaria.
In dentistry, Hungary is by far the number one destination. Poland is also a big choice for Europeans, while Mexico and Costa Rica draw American patients. The Philippines is expected to grow as a market with its quality, competitively priced care, and Belgium specializes in cosmetic dental surgery.
For those interested in finding a surgery abroad, no matter how you choose your clinic, there are important traits to consider about each country:
Whether clinics in that country are certified by international accreditation boards
How far you're willing to go and if you'll be fit to travel the distance, especially after your surgery
How long you're willing to stay, particularly if you have to return for follow-ups or stay longer because of complications
The exchange rate and local costs, including the prices of meals, transportation and hotels
How important it is that fluent English is widely spoken and whether clinics/hospitals speak English or hire translators
When the country's high season is so you can avoid expensive flights and enjoy more moderate weather
Once you have conducted your research into your destination of choice you will of course also need to make sure that they offer the procedure you are looking for.
As an emerging industry medical tourism is sure to expand and grow further with the idea of going abroad for surgery becoming commonplace.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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