SELECTING A HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY ABROAD

Medical tourism is a relatively new trend in healthcare. The term refers to the practice of going outside ones home country to seek medical treatment. Medical tourism has opened a world of excellent health care services to the global community. With international travel becoming easer and affordable, more and more people choose to go abroad to receive medical treatment.

Why should one seek medical treatment abroad?

• Many countries abroad offer very good medical infrastructure and facilities.

• The cost of treatment abroad is also relatively lower.

• Some people prefer to go abroad for surgery because of faster medical services available in foreign countries.

For what kind of healthcare services do people choose to get medical treatment abroad?

People go abroad for dental procedures, cardiovascular treatments, orthopedic treatments cosmetic surgery, alternative treatment and so on. They get good and fast healthcare services for a much lower rate than they would in their home country.

Which are the popular medical tourism destinations?

Singapore, India, South Africa, Turkey, Jordan, Belgium, Spain, Hungary and Malaysia offer affordable and high quality medical care services. Closer to the United States, places like Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico etc also offer good health care facilities.

Regardless of where and why you choose to go in for medical treatment abroad, there are some key points to consider while choosing a hospital.
• First and foremost, make sure that the hospital you choose has international accreditations and certifications. A hospital which is approved by the JCI (Joint Commission International) would be the best choice Besides the JCI; there are other organizations like International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and European Society for Quality in Healthcare (ESQH) etc which accredit hospitals on the basis of the quality of healthcare offered.

• While going in for surgery abroad, choose a doctor who is board certified. You can request a resume of the doctors at the hospital and check out their qualifications and areas of expertise. If possible, arrange for a teleconference between yourself, the doctor you choose and your local doctor. Communication between your doctor and the doctor at your chosen destination is essential. This will help them exchange details of your medical history and ideas about treatment methods.

• If you choose to receive medical care abroad, go in for a hospital which is fully integrated. Such hospitals offer all major specialties and facilities like ICU, X-ray, pathology, laboratory, pharmacy and so on.

• Make sure that the hospital staff understands your language. Most doctors and medical staff abroad are well versed in English. Some hospitals have an International Patient department which addresses communication issues. It would be wise to talk to your chosen physician before making the journey aboard. Ensure that he knows how to read your language because only then will he be able to check your medical records and patient history.

• Before going in for medical care aboard, go through the local healthcare regulations in your chosen country. These regulations vary from country to country and they determine the quality and cost of service you receive while aboard.

• While choosing a hospital for surgery abroad, check out the reputation of the hospital among the locals.

• You can also check out factors like the mortality rate, the qualifications and expertise of the doctors, the nurse to patient ratio etc over the internet. Such information will help you get an idea of the safety and quality of service offered at a hospital.

• Compare the cost of surgery abroad and in your home country before making a decision about going in for medical treatment abroad. In most cases, you may notice a big difference in the cost of treatment. As a matter of fact, the cost of treatment abroad in countries like Mexico, India, Thailand etc is about 60 to 90% lower than that in the U.S.A. Don’t look for the lowest prices since very low prices may mean compromising on healthcare facilities and medical services.

• Make sure that the hospital you choose is situated in a region that is easily accessible by road. It would be very uncomfortable if the hospital is in a remote location or situated very far from your point of residence. The journey to and from the hospital can be tiring and tedious.

• If you know of others who have gone in for surgery abroad, talk with them about their experience.

• The attitude of the local population towards foreigners is of prime importance in making one feel welcome and respected. Ensure that you choose a place which has a good reputation for being friendly towards tourists.
Which are the popular international hospitals for medical tourism?

In India, the Apollo Hospitals are JCI certified and also approved by the Indian Healthcare Federation. Wockhardt hospitals and Fortis Hospitals are also a good choice. The Hospital Clinica Biblica in San Jose, Costa Rica, CIMA hospital in San Jose, Costa Rica , Hospital CIMA Hermosillo in Mexico, Hospital Star Medica in Mexico, the Specialty Hospital in Jordan, the King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan etc are popular international hospitals for medical tourism.

A Medical Tourism Company can help you choose a good hospital which meets your needs. Such companies not only provide you with information on poplar hospitals for medical tourism, facilities offered, and details of physicians and so on. They also assist with medical loan financing, travel arrangements and so on. Some people hesitate to go in for the services of a medical tourism company for fear that it will cost them more. However, the cost to the patient is the same regardless of whether you choose to approach a hospital directly or approach a medical tourism company. A medical tourism company can help make your travel and stay more comfortable, convenient and economical.