Driving forces of Medical Tourism
Lets start something which would keep the group active , increase interaction. E.g. If we start a virtual group discussion , What are the driving forces of medical tourism. Then we say large chunk of uninsured people , those who are insured again looking for services which are not covered under insurance, long waiting list. New points could be added and then each of the reasons listed can be brain stormed, if some data available along with sources be given here. And pros and cons, effects of each point, effect on stake holders of healthcare industry. Comprehensive hand holding and shaking hands for stability of framework. Lets discuss this all. Kind request, please keep it to the point and feel free to criticize. We grow if we criticize healthy and maintain the quality of the discussion rather than just playing around with words.I also request esteemed members to bring new topics to the string and avoid topics irrelevant to medical tourism.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Faisal A. Sami, M.D. on -
It used to be 20 years ago that medical tourists came to the Western world searching for cutting edge medicine. Now a lot of that same cutting edge medicine can be had in many countries for much lower cost. The consumer's mindest is adjusting to the new realities of international medicine and its a process that can't happen overnight. The main factors affecting success of international medicine destinations will be cost, quality and high end service. How many times have we been in the situation when patient's can't get nurses to respond to their calls or physicians have to jet in and out of patient's rooms because they have 30 patients to see that day. The international medical destination will have to do a great job of lavishing their patient's with 5 star service. Otherwise its not worth the trouble for a patient to take on the large task of going overseas for a medical procedure. There will have to be a value added proposition above and beyond what the patient can get locally and not just cost factors, although cost is what gets the ball rolling initially.
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Permalink Reply by Ashok Panda on -
Here the main hurdle remains, to take the horse to water source , even some advocate in favor of bringing water in a pot to horse.Both of they have their own hindrances. First one challenges with finding out horses and win them with strategies or establishing a long term relationship and second requires pot bearer to comply with regulatory restrictions.
In this scenario the driving forces still remain the same, breach in provision of accessible and affordable healthcare which in term creates a need to search for such facility beyond borders. Providing good service could be an effort to keep the business sustainable , and yes will create future scope but I doubt as a standalone effort to develop and maintain quality services would drive medical tourism as a broad picture.( very rare .. ). But at the same time, government initiatives for liberal policies,insurance companies' initiative to identify good healthcare facilities and encouraging customers to avail healthcare from the same, facilitators' alliance releasing a comprehensive program to educate groups of prospective customers can be driving forces. These are all my personal views and I welcome debate and critical comments on this . Kind Regards
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Permalink Reply by Olesya Bilyk on -
The main driving force of the medical tourism is the patient and his needs. And often patient's needs do not coincide with his means within the borders of his own country. The provider of medical services has to shape his offer according to patient's need and be able to meet his expectations for means available to the patient. Price is the main thing, which makes great difference, and also time, which is money and in many cases time can be someone's health or even life.
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Permalink Reply by Kannu Sharma on -
Driving force is no doubt Quality Treatment with timeliness and the cost factor, but I think the driving forces will come into shape when the Hospitals will Market itself into various countries individually or through a common platform of which IMTD 2009 was a perfect Example. Guidelines of M-Visa and MX-Visa needs to be amended by the Govt. of India in the context of ailments of the patient condition and flexibility in reporting to the regional FRROs.
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Mubbashir on -
Dear Mr Ashok Kumar,
Greetings from Kuala Lumpur,
Medical Tourism is age old phenomena. Its been there in times of people traveled to look for sages to find better cure or ultimate relief. In recent past, US and other European countries superiority in technology had driven it from developing world to developed world. And now it has come for a different reason. This time driving forces are related to cost and time constrains. Average cost for high end healthcare provisions is high for those who can not afford it in their countries and could not pay for high premiums of insurances to cover them. Thus resulting in gradually increasing number of patients looking for some low cost options and a good number has also come from those who have ability to pay but their bracket healthcare providers are flooeded with number of patients thus they have high waiting times. and they can not afford to pay for high end care providers and thus they also look out of their country to find help on urgent basis.
Some of the other less drivers are increasing number of air careers and airlines becoming more affordable and people love to travel and get their procedures planned at more better places. Some look for providers of start of the art helathcare facilities and people do not mind to travel there even at high costs. May be some travel for social reasons to hide their treatments or their adventures in healthcare to get re invigoration, re manufacture face or body, re gain posture or health.
Another driver can be the overall change in dynamics of place and position. Evolution of internet has really made it possible for better decisions and timely response to validate those, resulting in healthcare becoming more of a global rather than a regional concern.
Best regards,
Mubbashir
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Permalink Reply by KAMIL WWW.MEDITRAVELS.CO.UK on
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Dear,
Medical Tourism is very popular among many nations. As an owner of the medical tourism company http://www.meditravels.pl I can share with my exeprience. Depending on the country of origin peaople decide to make use of our services because of many differnet reasons. I will mention the most important like:
Saving money
Huge costs saving is the most important reason for many people to travel around the world for medical treatment. Savings can reach up to 80% depending upon the type of treatment in comparison to countries of Western Europe or USA.
Top Quality Care
Our partner clinics have high level of standards and criteria in the way they treat their patients. Clinics maintain high standards of E.U. surgeries and medical treatments. Thanks to continuous trainings and qualifications raising, doctors are able to offer complete treatment in the area of dentistry, plastic and aesthetic surgery and aesthetic dermatology etc.. Our clinics are equipped with modern operating theatre. In case our patients have to stay in the clinic after procedure, they are accommodated in convenient wards equipped with nurse calling facilities, TV set, telephone and bathrooms. With the use of modern equipment combined with the latest medical treatments and professional personnel we will make sure you receive the very best care. Moreover our doctors speak English that is why every patient feel very comfortable.
Speciality Treatments
Procedures that are available in our clinics are the specialized latest medical treatments in the wide medical area. If you are interested in very specific procedure please do not hesitate to ask us about it. Surely we will organize it for you.
Minimum Waiting Periods
Because of the number of cooperating clinics we can arrange your procedure with minimum waiting period. The time and place of procedure is always fixed according to personal needs of our patient. That is why Meditravels offers the best choice.
Poland, Great Experience!
Depending on case, medical treatment can be challenging, that is why many feel the displeasure and fear. To change your attitude you can explore unique Polish culture, beautiful cities and places in Poland. Special cultural and touristic propositions will cause that your stay will be unforgetable not only because of your medical treatment.
What is also very important is the case of bad quality of medical services in for instance UK. A lotof patients want to come not only because they pay less but also because they do know that polish doctors are well educated, and they do their job very precisely. I heard and saw many patients wuth teeth which were done in UK and their condition was tragic.
If you want to ask more questions or make use of our services do not hesitate to write or call
http://www.meditravels.pl
office@meditravels.pl
0048606692781
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Permalink Reply by Mubbashir on
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Dear Mr Ashok Kumar Panda,
Greetings from Wellness Visit .
Hope if you can post your views about effect on medical tourism recent healthcare bill passed by US Senate and signed by President Obama. Any views if this has good or bad effect on medical tourism in USA or world wide.
Best regards
Mubbashir
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Lloyd on -
One of the most obvious immediate benefits is the 5% tax -- effective January 1, 2010 -- on non-reconstructive medical procedures. For a $10K worth of work in the US, the tax benefit now covers most of an airline ticket across the Pacific, and all of one from the US to Mexico. (Section 9107).
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Permalink Reply by Matt Perek on
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Where are you getting the information about this 5% tax? I have not seen it anywhere in the news.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Lloyd on
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It's often referred to as the "Botox Tax" -- but it covers all non-reconstructive plastic surgery. I'm also actually reading this whole thing, looking for the interesting parts in terms of medical tourism.
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It was removed and replaced with a tanning tax, as far as I can tell. See the link:
http://www.heraldnews.com/opinions/x1664781571/PURCELL-Thou-shalt-n...
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The main driving force of MT is education. Patient education in the availability to alternatives to their home country treatments and costs. Provider education in what a patient requires abroad and execution on those needs to drive more traffic to their location/hospital/clinic. Public education of the quality care available, the cost savings, and the existing infrastructure in place.
Drivers more specific to the United States are demographics (growing number of older, retired, and longer living Americans) as well as more educated tech savvy younger patients.
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