Medical Tourism – Putting the ‘CARE’ back in Healthcare
Last week as I was seeing off yet another satisfied customer back home to relay the amazing experience to his friends, family and generally anyone who will listen, I thought back over our patient experiences to the common theme that “wows” each and every one of them… The Medical Tourism Care Factor.
While much is out there on Medical Tourism accreditation, quality outcomes, medical training etc, the importance of ‘care’ seems somewhat swept under the carpet. Don’t get me wrong, quality assurance markers are extremely important; but in my experience, in patient testimonials, they are not saying “Wow, the hospital is internationally accredited” or “The surgeon has one of the lowest post-op infection rates out”. However, it is pretty common to hear “the surgeon made me feel so comfortable”, “I felt like I was more than a number” or “The nurses were so attentive and caring”.
My suspicion as to why the care factor is not broadcast more widely is that it is beyond most Medical Tourists imagination. Remembering, that in many cases the starting point to seek treatment abroad is the disillusionment that they have experienced trying to access affordable care within their own health system. To tell someone in this situation that, not only will they receive excellent medical treatment at a lower cost, but they will also feel important and cared for while they are doing so, is like trying to explain Filet Mignon to someone who has only ever had burgers. While they know it is special, they can only really know the difference by experiencing it themselves.
This ‘Care Factor’ goes beyond one person to the whole experience; the call and guidance their facilitator gives them while they are deciding, the pre-operative experience with the surgeon, the hospital and nursing care, recuperative care, right through to the follow up once they return home. Get it right, and it is a recipe for health care success.
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Source: The Medical Traveller
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