Understanding the Evolution and Impact of Global Medical Tourism

Medical tourism is the practice of traveling abroad to obtain medical treatment. In the past, this usually referred to those who traveled from less-developed countries to major medical centers in highly developed countries for treatment unavailable at home. However, in recent years it may equally refer to those from developed countries who travel to developing countries for lower-priced medical treatments. Health tourism is a wider term for travel that focuses on medical treatments and the use of healthcare services, ranging from preventive and health-conductive treatment to rehabilitational and curative forms of travel.

Historical Background

The first recorded instance of people traveling for medical treatment dates back thousands of years to when Greek pilgrims traveled from the eastern Mediterranean to a small area in the Saronic Gulf called Epidauria. This territory was the sanctuary of the healing god Asklepios. Later, spa towns and sanitaria were early forms of medical tourism. In 18th-century Europe patients visited spas because they were places with supposedly health-giving mineral waters, treating diseases from gout to liver disorders and bronchitis.

Primary Drivers of Medical Travel

Factors that have led to the increasing popularity of medical travel include the high cost of health care, long wait times for certain procedures, the ease and affordability of international travel, and improvements in both technology and standards of care in many countries. Medical tourism most often is for surgeries (cosmetic or otherwise) or similar treatments, though people also travel for dental tourism or fertility tourism. Furthermore, the motivation may be also for medical services unavailable or non-licensed in the home country, as differences exist between agencies such as the FDA or the EMA regarding drug approvals.

Wait Times and Cost Comparisons

The avoidance of waiting times is the leading factor for medical tourism from the UK, whereas in the US, the main reason is cheaper prices abroad. For instance, countries that operate public health-care systems often have long wait times for certain operations. In 2005, an estimated 782,936 Canadian patients spent an average waiting time of 9.4 weeks on medical waiting lists.

Comparative Data on Medical Costs and Waiting Periods:

• Liver Transplant (United States): US$300,000
• Liver Transplant (Taiwan): US$91,000
• Hip Replacement (Canada benchmark): 26-week waiting period
• Cataract Surgery (Canada benchmark): 16-week waiting period

Growth Prospects and Industry Expansion

In developed countries such as the United States, medical tourism has large growth prospects and potentially destabilizing implications. An estimated 750,000 Americans went abroad for health care in 2007, and reports estimated that 1.5 million would seek health care outside the US in 2008. This growth has the potential to cost US health care providers billions of dollars in lost revenue.

The industry is also seeing significant expansion in Asia and the Middle East. Manish Chandra, Co-founder of Vaidam Health, stated that "Medical tourism is a rapidly expanding sector within India's healthcare industry, offering immense potential." Similarly, Lemen International in Shanghai has become the first Chinese agency to certify its care and services for medical travelers. In the UAE, Abdulrahman Alkatheeri, CEO of Salka Meditour, has transformed medical travel into a global mission, connecting patients to over 200 leading hospitals across 17 countries to ensure healthcare abroad is more accessible and organized.

Quality Standards and Best Practices

To be successful in the medical tourism business, there are essential building blocks around which to structure services. Organizations like the Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA) provide Medical Tourism Certification and establish best practices. These include a medical traveler’s bill of rights and responsibilities to ensure that every part of the patient’s journey, from the first consultation to recovery, is seamless and compassionate.