Medical tourism has become a global phenomenon, with an estimated 14 to 16 million medical tourists worldwide in 2017 (Dalen & Alpert, 2019). The number of medical tourists is projected to grow by 25% annually, driven by factors such as the high cost of healthcare in certain countries, the availability of treatments not accessible at home, and the desire for better or faster care. The United States, for instance, has a significantly higher healthcare cost, prompting many patients to seek medical procedures in countries where costs are 30–65% lower. This price disparity is often due to lower wages for healthcare professionals, cash payments by patients, and reduced malpractice insurance costs in these countries.
Asia is home to some of the most popular medical tourism destinations, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand. These countries have become attractive options for patients seeking affordable and timely medical care.
Reasons for Seeking Medical Care Abroad
Patients choose to seek medical care abroad for various reasons. In some cases, delays in accessing local healthcare services compel patients to travel to regions where they can receive immediate treatment. The high cost of healthcare in their home country is another significant factor, particularly for underinsured individuals who cannot afford care at local hospitals and clinics. For these patients, traveling abroad offers a more affordable alternative.
Additionally, some patients travel to their home countries to receive care within familiar healthcare systems, while others, such as former expatriates, return to countries they previously lived in to access what they perceive as high-quality, consumer-oriented treatment at a relatively low cost. Certain medical procedures not permitted in a patient's home country may also drive them to seek treatment abroad. Although economic gradients play a significant role in the movement of patients from more expensive to less expensive healthcare settings, cost savings are not the sole motivator for medical tourism.
International Accreditation of Destination Healthcare Facilities
The growing number of patients seeking treatment abroad has heightened the importance of international accreditation for healthcare facilities. Medical tourism companies should limit their networks to hospitals and clinics accredited by organizations recognized by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), known as the "accreditor of accreditors." ISQua accredits organizations such as Joint Commission International (JCI), American Accreditation Commission International (AACI), Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA), and Planetree International.
As medical tourism continues to expand, it is crucial to define and enforce reasonable and adequate international accreditation standards for hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. The marketing and delivery of global health services by medical tourism companies should be restricted to facilities accredited by internationally recognized bodies. Furthermore, the licenses of medical tourism companies coordinating care at unaccredited facilities should be revoked.
Hospitals and clinics seeking to attract international patients must undergo an international accreditation review before joining global healthcare networks. As healthcare becomes more globalized, regulatory standards must also expand to ensure patient safety and care quality.
Risks and Regulatory Oversight
While patients have the right to travel and seek healthcare abroad, there are inherent risks associated with receiving medical care in a foreign country. These risks must be managed and mitigated by government agencies through their regulatory authority. Accreditation bodies play a crucial role in ensuring that medical tourism companies adhere to prudent and reasonable standards of conduct.
Medical tourism companies must maintain stringent standards to protect patients receiving care abroad. The quality of healthcare is often discussed in terms of hospitals, healthcare systems, and professionals. However, efforts to improve healthcare quality must also address the role of medical tourism companies in promoting the globalization of health services.
Conclusion
The rapid growth of medical tourism necessitates a focus on international accreditation and regulatory oversight to ensure the safety and quality of care for patients seeking treatment abroad. As the industry continues to expand, it is imperative that medical tourism companies adhere to the highest standards and that healthcare facilities undergo rigorous accreditation processes to maintain the trust and confidence of international patients.
References
Dalen, J.E., & Alpert, J.S. (2019). Medical Tourists: Incoming and Outgoing. The American Journal of Medicine, 132(1), 9-10.
Patients Beyond Borders. Medical tourism statistics and facts. Available at: https://patientsbeyondborders.com/medical-tourism-statistics-facts. Accessed May 31, 2018.
Turner, L.G. (2011). Quality in health care and globalization of health services: accreditation and regulatory oversight of medical tourism companies. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 23(1), 1-7.
