Medical tourism: a global trend in healthcare

Let’s take a look at the worldwide booming industry- known as medical tourism or healthcare tourism that has transformed the way individuals access healthcare.

Traveling to another country and combining quality healthcare services (medical or surgical treatments of any kind) with touristic visits to local attractions is the phenomenon we refer to as healthcare tourism. Medical tourism looks to provide patients benefits such as greater medical expertise, affordability, shorter waiting times, and access to specialised treatments.

Medical tourism has grown significantly in recent years and will continue to do so in the following years. In 2020, the global health tourism sector reached a valuation of around US$53 billion. It is expected to reach US$300 billion by 2030.

Why Do People Choose Medical Tourism?

The primary reason people engage in medical tourism is the opportunity to save on medical bills. Patients can save between 40-80% on various treatments thanks to considerably cheaper surgery and procedure costs. This financial appeal is a driving factor, especially in countries in which healthcare is costly and not fully covered by insurance like in the US, Canada, or the UK.

Another popular reason is also to access superior medical expertise, seeking hospitals/clinics known for their research and state-of-the-art treatments in certain fields (e.g. oncology) to receive the best care possible.

Medical tourists often seek access to innovative treatments (procedures, therapies or surgeries) which may not yet be available in their home country due to their own healthcare systems not having approved these treatments, or the procedures being purely experimental. Some clear examples are countries like Germany and Japan which are renowned for cutting-edge cancer treatments, or South Korea which excels in advanced cosmetic surgery. 

Shorter waiting times represent another attractive aspect in medical tourism. Some countries have long waiting times, especially for non-emergency procedures. Travelling to a foreign medical facility means faster access to care; thus it shouldn’t come as a surprise to increasingly see people adopt this solution with time. Medical tourism is proving to be a great alternative for patients in countries like Italy, Canada, and the UK. These countries are facing significant wait times for elective surgeries which may extend for months, if not years. For these patients, a quick turnaround in medical tourism trips can significantly improve quality of life and exert a positive psychological impact by providing timely access to necessary medical services.

Sometimes, culture can also play a role in the destinations patients choose for healthcare tourism. A small portion of patients prefer to receive care from medical practitioners who share the same culture and language. For example, patients from GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries may choose to travel to Dubai for medical treatment, where Arabic is spoken and healthcare facilities are among the best in the world.

Popular Destinations For Medical Tourism

In recent years, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Mexico, Turkey, and Costa Rica have invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure. Many internationally accredited hospitals cater specifically to foreign patients; they can provide top quality healthcare services.

Considerations and Risks in Healthcare Tourism

While medical tourism has its obvious advantages, it is not devoid of potential risks. Thorough research and careful consideration is always paramount and advised for patients, since quality of care varies by country and hospital. Patients should make sure that the medical facilities they choose are internationally accredited. Healthcare providers should always be certified in their respective fields. Other factors that should be carefully considered are language barriers, cultural differences, and post-operative care offered. 

Many procedures require follow-ups and aftercare support. Upon returning home post-surgery, it can prove challenging to manage recovery. Infections and other health complications can arise when traveling for medical purposes due to lack of aftercare provided by the hospital, or patient's poor adherence to the doctor’s guidelines. 

Novocuris: Leveraging Telemedicine to Enhance the International Patient Experience

Telemedicine is transforming the landscape of medical tourism. International patients are being granted access to seamless digital healthcare services before and after travelling for treatment.

Novocuris and its technology value resides in the comprehensive nature of international care and the patient experience, with world-class concierge. Through our custom-branded mobile application, patients can engage healthcare providers through virtual consultations, follow medication protocols, read education content, and even participate in remote patient monitoring protocols, all from the comfort of their own homes. With our platform, patient safety and satisfaction are elevated. 

Pre-Treatment Consultation

One of the primary use-cases of telemedicine in medical tourism is pre-treatment consultation. Before committing to a procedure, patients can check international accreditations of the clinic. But human interaction also plays an important role in the decision-making process.

In fact, patients can consult directly with specialists in the destination country, discussing their medical history, treatment options, expected outcomes, and risks. These pre-travel consultations help patients make informed decisions and enables them to gain comfort with their choice of provider. Healthcare providers are given a great opportunity through this initial connection to thoroughly evaluate each patient’s suitability for treatment. This in turn reduces potential complications or misunderstandings when the patient arrives.

Post-Treatment Care: The Importance of Aftercare in Medical Tourism

Aftercare is of paramount importance in any medical procedure. It becomes even more essential in the context of medical tourism.It can prove challenging for hospitals to continue engaging with medical tourists once they return home, but this remains crucial in order to achieve successful and lasting outcomes.

Telemedicine plays a critical role in post-treatment aftercare. It allows patients to maintain continuity of care without the need for staying overseas for an extended period of time. Regular video consultations can make patients feel at ease, with their recovery being overseen by the very same healthcare team which provided their initial treatment. This ensures patients can transition back to their daily lives with total peace of mind.

Novocuris enables hospitals to monitor patients’ recovery progress, provide necessary guidance, and address any emerging complications through virtual follow-ups and aspects such as medication compliance monitoring. Remote patient monitoring can also be utilised to alert providers if any signs of deterioration, infection or other issues were to develop. We also offer in-app educational articles and videos to empower patients in better looking after themselves and achieve the best outcomes possible.

International Collaboration

Enhancement of communication between international healthcare providers and patients’ local doctors is another important strong suit of telemedicine. A collaborative approach is crucial to treatment and recovery. Healthcare providers in different countries can work together to manage ongoing care by sharing records, test results, and treatment recommendations electronically.

The risks associated with transitioning between medical systems can be very effectively reduced with this approach. The best way to foster confidence in the quality and safety of medical tourism is to provide patients with a more cohesive and integrated healthcare experience through the usage of telemedicine.

Novocuris wants to bring this a step further, with technology that can also be deployed in medical research. Our platform can be used to streamline care journeys for patients travelling from afar to receive highly specialised and experimental treatments, while also bringing progress and innovation at the same time.

The Future of Medical Tourism

Advancements in telemedicine and other digital healthcare tools, combined with an increasingly connected global network makes it easier for patients to research healthcare providers abroad and make informed decisions before travelling. Furthermore, some countries are investing heavily into healthcare tourism initiatives; to attract international patients, they’re even building entire cities and wellness retreats focused on high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare.

Medical tourism is reshaping the way people approach healthcare. It gives patients the chance to access vital healthcare services while experiencing new cultures. Hospitals looking to shine in this rapidly growing field of healthcare should be oriented towards technological innovation and display optimal safety, quality, and continuity of care throughout a patient's life-cycle.

Novocuris empowers hospitals focused on medical tourism by enabling them to transform patient experiences and deliver globally accessible digital healthcare services. Through our custom-branded mobile application, we strive to improve care accessibility, convenience, and ultimately, healthcare outcomes that hospitals can deliver.

Contact us to learn more about our platform and how it can be used to transform your hospital's approach to care delivery.