Medical tourism refers to visitors traveling abroad to receive medical treatment. In the modern era, this has typically referred to people who travel from less developed countries to major hospitals in highly urbanized countries for medical care unavailable at home. It has been used increasingly as a tool for obtaining quality health care in underserved areas or remote regions where access to healthcare is limited. Medical tourism presents a way to care for those who cannot be physically present in a country. For those considering medical tourism, it's helpful to understand what the process entails and what to expect before, during, and after a surgical procedure. Medical tourism generally includes a medical transport team that consists of doctors, nurses, and support staff members that work in conjunction with the patient's home country doctor and the hospital offering the treatment.
Some countries have evolved more in terms of providing accurate medical treatments and surgeries, which has made them the first choice for patients. Millions of people travel every year to receive these medical services, which is promoting the growth of the global medical tourism market. For instance, according to Global Healthcare Resources, around 11 million patients travel yearly for medical care. This accounts for approximately 3% to 4% of the global population. Some other factors, such as shortage of regional expertise, better patient experience, and advanced treatments with minimal costs are also aiding in the growth of the global medical tourism market.
Medical tourism is designed to reduce the economic burden associated with healthcare in developed countries. The high costs of surgery can be very overwhelming for some patients. While it is common for doctors to travel to a country of the patient's choice to perform the desired treatment, medical tourism allows patients to receive lower costs and greater access to top-notch healthcare. As more people recognize the benefits and value of medical tourism, many clinics and hospitals are adding this type of service to provide affordable, quality healthcare services to patients who might not otherwise have access. However, reported cases of sluggish response time and poor results are the main restraining factors that are posing as a hindrance to the growth of the global medical tourism market.
In North America, patients receive better care and the medical expenses are low based on the quality of treatments. This is why the region is experiencing high demand in the medical tourism market. For instance, according to the Medical Tourism Association, around 40% of medical tourists travel to the U.S. for enhanced medical care. Owing to all these factors, there has been some significant industrial development in the global medical tourism market. For instance, in June 2019, Clearbridge Health declared that it will be building a 1500 square foot clinic in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. This initiative will help them to cater to medical tourists and domestic patients.
