There are various reasons that would encourage individuals to opt for Medical Tourism.
Cost: Cost is the prime factor that initiates the concept of medical tourism. Medical treatment is highly expensive in various parts of the world, especially in developed countries. On top of that those uninsured cannot even think of undergoing a surgery because the entire amount earned throughout a lifetime will always prove insufficient to take care of the medical expenses. The surgical charges, doctor fees, medicines, hospital charges, nursing charges are extremely unaffordable.
Need: In developed countries, the waiting period for any surgery is almost 8-10months. In case of urgent medical attention, patients have no chance but to suffer the pain and survive in disgust. This may even lead to loss of life. In medical tourism destinations, time is taken only for the travelling and legal procedures and surgeons are ready to perform any surgery with full confidence. Thus people will choose to move out. Another need will be of better care. Some places might be having facilities and also doctors may be readily available. But the way they treat their patients is something not acceptable for many patients. People are ready to spend any amount of money just to get good quality of treatment.
Quality of care: Underdeveloped and developing countries usually do not have many multi-specialty or super specialty hospitals. They have no other option but to stick to government hospitals. It is obvious that these government hospitals will be flooded throughout the year and no medical in charge will have time to give personal attention to every individual. This is another reason why people opt for medical tourism. In private hospitals, especially for foreigners, good quality of care is available. Even personalized care is available to patients who insist. A nurse is dedicated to a particular patient. Thus the patient feels safe and lives tension free throughout the hospital stay that too in a different country.
Availability: Availability of treatment is a very concerned topic in many countries across the globe. Treatment is not available in many countries. Some parts lack basic primary care too. This makes a necessity to take a decision of going abroad. Some hospitals or clinics do not of equipment enough to take care of a particular surgery. In many places lack of knowledge and skilled surgeons and other medical staff is a big hindrance. There are also certain countries where these facilities are available but they do not match international standard. People are aware of latest technology through internet and other media of advertisements. They expect to be treated in that fashion. Lack of such international quality leads to disappointment and people move out for a better availability of medical care.
Accessibility: Nothing can be worse than seeing something that we want but not actually getting it. But this case is seen in many countries that too about healthcare services. The only reason behind being inaccessible to healthcare services is the long waiting period. This long waiting period can be a result of long time taken for insurance settlement or that surgeons operate only in a limited time frame. This calls for some disgust in patients who urgently need medical care. Medical Tourism is the best option for such people for their relief.
Acceptability: Each country has its own culture, values and beliefs. The ethical definition changes too with each nation. There might be some things taboo in particular countries, while some other countries offer such things without hesitation and advertise freely about it. Such unethical medical cases are not at all permitted by their own conscience. But the need for it is as much as it can lead a person to seek for it abroad. Also some medical procedures involve legal issues. The law of a particular nation does not allow certain procedures. Such illegal and unethical treatments include Surrogacy, Organ Transplant, Sex determination, Infertility treatment, blood transfusion, Sex change operations, and many more. Thus people fly to places where they can get such treatments done without any legal and ethical burden.
Privacy: This may be a case in elite group. They need extra attention, extreme privacy. Privacy is in terms of space and also in terms of not disclosing their ailments. Being in one’s own country, the later may not be a simple task. Medical Tourism provides solution for this purpose also. In medical tourism destinations, extra attention is given to patients who demands for it. Every international patient gets a separate room, care manager/ destination program manager (DPM) is also arranged for a safe and easy journey throughout the stay.
Additional Benefits: Apart from all the medical facilities, affordable rates, quality care, easy accessibility and many more offers that one gets through medical tourism, there is also some non-medical benefit. The term ‘medical tourism’ itself explains tourism part. Tourism is not only travelling to medical tourism destination but also to go around the tourist attractions before or after surgery whenever possible. Many medical tourism facilitators provide additional benefits by offering free gifts or affordable tourism package or free visit to the cultural centers or ayurvedic centers (Asian countries). The international patients will experience a new atmosphere and hospitality altogether.