Medical Tourism- the numbers
One of the issues in being involved in an unregulated global industry is the untruths and exaggerations that abound. While they possibly exist in many areas, medical or otherwise, the number of medical patients travelling overseas illustrates the struggle of indiviudal countries wanting recognition.
A much used quote is that in any war the first casualty is the truth seems to hold true as these countries fight for recognition and legitimacy. The Lemmings Theory seems to be that by overstating the number of patient travellers to your facility you some how encourage more patients to visit. The more lemmings you say you treat , the more lemmings will follow.
A recent article Medical tourism statistics.Comparing Apples with apples…. hightlighted this by illustrating how some hospitals count their patients. It seems in some countries who indicate large numbers of medical tourists, the hospital administrators count each event as a separate patient. hence having an xray is one, the actual operation is two etc. This ends up with one patient having undergone a routine inpatient procedure as having been recorded as 15 patient episodes and (for sake of brevity) this is further shortened by marketing to 15 patients.
Even well known global consultant agencies seem to fall for the same trick. Deloitte for example published a report in 2008- Medical tourism conumers in search of value, we hear that 400,000 medical tourists went to India and over 1.2 million medical tourists went to Thailand. Unbelivable numbers that appear, well…. unbelievable.
Until therefore there is a global agency such as the WHO that can verify overseas medical tourists numbers, patients contemplating travelling overseas for medical care should do their own research. If you want developed first world and English speaking then your choice is UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. If you want cheap well thats another story. Although there does seem to be a connection between the claim of very large numbers of medical travelling patients and the third world. While it may be true that they treat many regional Asian patients, the actual number of North Americans who travel to Asia (or indeed anywhere else) for medical treatment , is yet to be verified.
Source: The Medical Traveller
Hyderabad – Hot Destination for Medical Tourism
Chief Minister K Rosaiah has said that Hyderabad is fast becoming a major health tourism center as many foreign patients are opting to get treated here.
Source: Latest Medical Tourism News
Study Finds Why Genealogical Tourism is Popular
A University of Illinois travel expert has said that genealogical tourism is redefining leisure travel market.
U. of I. recreation, sport and tourism
Source: Latest Medical Tourism News
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
Medical Tourism – Cottonwood man travels to New Zealand for Surgery
Philip Wrights recent article in the Verde Independent explains the experience of Ben Wordinger, a self insured man from Arizona, and the difficulty he had accessing medical care in the USA.
This shows one of many drivers behind people accessing Medical Tourism out of the USA.
Of interesting note is his comment on his preference for an English speaking destination. When accessing medical care overseas many people find that cultural similarities such as this are an important factor in their decision on a destination.
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Source: The Medical Traveller
The changing fortunes of Medical Tourism
Much has been written about the ebb and flow of opportunities around Medical Tourism as an attractive option for Americans seeking cheaper health care outside their own borders. From predictions of stellar growth by Deloitte in its 2008 report on the Medical Tourism market in the US, to significant downward revisions of forecasts due to the economic environment; authored by Deloitte in the 2009 installment.
Opinion generally around the fortunes of Medical Tourism are polarized, ranging from examples like; USA Today picking medical tourism in the USA to be one of the top 10 trends during 2010, to an article by Keith Pollard “Treatment Abroad” that points to medical tourism remaining in the margins for the foreseeable future. http://www.imtjonline.com/articles/2010/the-outlook-for-medical-tourism-30034/
Apart from feeling the need to reach for a bottle of Prozac and a stiff Gin after reading parts of Keith Pollard’s article, the issue I have with his opinion, is that it implies that Medical Tourism was originally prophesied as a Holy Grail, mainstream, overnight solution to the current issues facing the US health care landscape. In reality, Medical Tourism is a channel option within the business mix and will always be so. As such, being in the margins is probably a sound footing from which to continue to build on a beachhead industry, moving it towards a longer term goal of wider understanding and acceptance within the US health care landscape. As trite as it may sound, Rome wasn’t built in a day, or for that matter, a year.
Of greater interest, and proving that a week can be a long time in politics, was the election of Republican candidate Scott Brown to the US Senate. In doing so ending the 47 year stronghold by the Democrats in Massachusetts by the late Senator Kennedy, and preventing the Democrats from passing major reforms through the Senate unimpeded. A key reform Health care now appears stalled as the Republicans, with new found power, push back in response to, what appears to be, resounding public opinion. Watch this space, as it now appears that the already watered down health care reforms will be further watered down and in the process perhaps further opening the way for opportunities in Medical Tourism… watch this space.
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Source: The Medical Traveller
Transplant Tourism – Friend or Foe
Recent articles such as Transplant tourism poses ethical dilemma for US doctors and Majority of doctors skeptical of organ transplantation practices in China bring the issue of “Transplant Tourism” under the microscope.
At risk of quibbling over semantics, the name “Transplant Tourism” makes me shudder. When you are talking about surgery as major as a vital organ transplant, to trivialize it by the mere suggestion of beaches and palm trees is near criminal. I prefer the term Medical Travel over Medical Tourism, yet, I guess, Transplant Travel is not quite as catchy or sensationalist.
The process of traveling overseas for transplants is driven by desperation, let’s face it, for something like this, the ideal is to have it in an environment where you feel comfortable and can be assured that you have top-notch surgeons and facilities at your disposal, yet the sheer idea of “buying” an organ suggests that the regulations that you would normally desire around healthcare are absent in that “transplant tourism” destination. However, through inaccessibility of treatment, due to cost or wait times, patient’s are compelled to lower their standards of ethics, quality or both in order to regain their failing health.
Much is written about the evils of Medical Tourism and the impact on developing nation’s healthcare for its natives, this practice is yet another fine example of this. Who is missing out on an organ because someone wealthier from another nation can afford one?
It is these factors that would lead you to dust off your placards and join a movement to place a blanket ban on this phenomenon, however in many cases there is still room for Medical Travel in relation to transplants… well some of them anyway.
Live Donor Renal Transplant’s when carried out ethically are an option for those who have access to a live donor and can be more affordable when performed out of the USA. It is important for institutions and facilitators to screen donor’s, to avoid the “paid donor” trap however.
For example it is possible for patient’s to receive live donor renal transplants in leading New Zealand private hospitals for around one third of the cost in the US, including flights, accommodation (around 6 week stay) surgery and hospitalization for donor and recipient, drugs, aftercare and contingency insurance. Strict regulations around health care provision in New Zealand ensure that the procedure is carried out to a high standard and ethically, including checks to ensure that the live donor’s are known to the recipient and sourced ethically.
So, while the unscrupulous processes will no doubt continue with Transplant Tourism it is comforting to know that there are options for those who can’t access care at home, where they do not have to lower their standards in terms of quality and ethics.
Source: The Medical Traveller
10 Handy Tips for Hip Replacement Surgery Overseas
A few tips for those heading abroad for Hip Replacement surgery (THJR). These are a combination of what I tell our clients coming to New Zealand for surgery, what they tell me, and what our surgeons and physical therapists advise.
1. Choosing accommodation
If you are not using a medical travel facilitator to book your accommodation (or even if you are in some cases) make sure that your accommodation is suitable for someone who is having hip replacement surgery. You need to make sure that you don’t have to navigate flights of stairs on crutches or that you don’t have to step into a bathtub to have a shower. Also bear in mind that low seating is not appropriate for people with recent hip replacements – especially if you are tall.
2. Airports
Ask your facilitator or travel agent to request wheelchair transfers for you in transit. While you may not think you need a wheelchair, sometimes it is a long walk between terminals and you may need some assistance with luggage etc.
3. Bring a knapsack
It makes life on crutches so much easier.
4. Bring slip on shoes
Unless you have a very patient traveling companion, you may struggle with laces.
5. Bring Skirts or loose fitting trousers
It will make life easier and be more comfortable than tight fitting clothing after surgery.
6. Talk to your surgeon
Arrange a telephone call before traveling to your destination. Find out what you can expect afterward in terms of recovery and mobility. Find out how long before you can get your wound wet (different surgeons have different perspectives on this). Then plan any additional travel with this in mind.
7. In flight DVT prevention.
This is important both before and after surgery. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, make sure to get up and walk regularly on the flight. Talk to your surgeon about preventative measures for the flight home.
8. Recuperative Care.
This is VERY important. For our New Zealand clients we provide exercise equipment in the hotel rooms so that our physical therapists can work out a regime that gives you optimum results for your surgery and recovery. Be concerned if your overseas provider makes no mention of it.
9. Don’t skimp on the pain medication.
While you don’t want to overdo it either, being in pain can interfere with your post operative recuperation and physical therapy regime. Make sure your doctor explains clearly when and how you should take any prescribed pain medication.
10. Find out what sort of implant.
Will be used in your surgery. Implants can vary greatly in both price and quality. The general rule is you get what you pay for. Make sure you are comfortable and confident that you are getting a reputable brand of implant and that it is appropriate to your needs. Talk to your surgeon about the different types and what is best for you.
Note that these are suggestions only and should not replace any advice given to you by your health professional
Have you had or are you considering having hip replacement surgery either at home or abroad?
How do you decide on a hospital or surgeon?
Do you have any questions?
Do you have any tips for others?
Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Source: The Medical Traveller
Boutique Medicine – American style or New Zealand?
Apart from the cost one of the major differences between the majority of US healthcare and medical tourism destinations appears to be the personalized service one receives.
For example, the private healthcare offered in places such as New Zealand is the boutique option. You can choose your hospital, doctor and the day of treatment but you have to pay. In contrast, the public healthcare system in New Zealand is government funded and hence there is no charge for its use by individuals. Indeed the same doctors work in both systems. The real difference is in the waiting time, and choice of doctors.
Contrasting this with the US health system where a recent article cites an example of the same medical clinic having two entrances: one for the insured clients and one for the self- pay. The self pay got the boutique service; to see a doctor and the higher charge. The insured patient got the diagnostic test but very little more and their insurance paid (a reduced rate).
It appears more and more Americans are walking away from insurance and wanting to make their own decisions with added benefits that feel to them that they are receiving fair value for their own non-insured, self pay health dollar. In this environment of consumer driven healthcare, medical travel must be an option.
Americans now have a boutique option of medical care in their own country where increasingly the customer not the insurer pays. Since the customer can not negotiate substantial discounts, (like the insurers) they pay … a lot.
Hence to travel overseas for easy access to the same level of service, a single invoice (if not more personalized), for 25% the cost of the boutique service in the US, with no bureaucratic minefield or unexpected bills starts to sound attractive.
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Source: The Medical Traveller
Healthcare for the Uninsured – a third world problem in a first world nation
Every year, more than 44,000 Americans die simply because they have no health insurance. Congressman Grayson recently launched a website http://www.namesofthedead.com/ to honor but a few of the unfortunate masses.
Reading the stories on the site dispels the common misconception that the uninsured population is largely comprised of illegal immigrants and societies parasites. These people are just “Joe Average Americans” that are victims of the US health care system.
As a New Zealander I find this hard to fathom, as do most other people I discuss this with… a first world country similar to ours, with people dying unnecessarily because they cannot afford healthcare… Surely not! This is a third world problem they say – you must be mistaken.
What ever happened to the American Dream?
Are all men created equal except for those who cannot access medical insurance??
Where does Medical Travel fit into this?
It is not and will not ever be a panacea for the US Health system, but it can certainly help.
Medical Travel is not for everyone. There are some people that travelling for treatment is simply unsuitable for and some procedures which do not fit the criteria, for example, treatment that requires multiple visits over a long period of time.
However there are people living with pain and illness that may benefit from affordable treatment offshore. As I read the names of the dead, I tick off many that we could have helped, particularly in the early stages. The big question is, how do we get the message through?
Source: The Medical Traveller