Myth and stereotypes about medical tourism

Миф № 4.

Since 2016, the number of patients who choose to be treated abroad has been growing. And there are good reasons for this. In many developing countries, in 30% of cases, the initial diagnoses are inaccurate. This is because clinics use old equipment and doctors are not aware of modern treatment methods.

In contrast, foreign clinics are accredited with international certificates for the quality of medical care, care for foreign patients and safety of treatment. In such hospitals, reliable diagnostic techniques are available to help detect the onset of the disease before the first symptoms appear. Where possible, treatment is carried out using minimally invasive methods that do not cause complications in the future.

Modern research conducted by qualified international teams has shown that more than 90% of medical tourists are fully satisfied with their experience of treatment abroad. In particular, easy access to medical services, trusting relationships with doctors, good treatment outcomes and good experiences with medical staff are noted.

If treatment abroad is so effective, why are there so few medical tourists? People don’t go to other countries for treatment because they are scared. There are many myths and stereotypes about medical tourism. They exist because of ignorance about the procedure of organising and travelling for treatment abroad.

Myth #1. Treatment abroad is expensive

The cost of treatment is one of the main reasons why patients refuse treatment abroad. Indeed, everything is more expensive abroad, including medicine. On average, the cost of treatment abroad is 30-40% more expensive than in private clinics at home. However, the costliness of treatment is compensated by accuracy and reliability. With the help of innovative equipment and modern treatment methods, the patient will be diagnosed correctly the first time and treatment methods will be selected with minimal risk of relapse. Whereas a patient in a domestic clinic may have to visit several doctors to clarify the diagnosis or eliminate the side effects of treatment. As a result, the cost of treatment in one’s own country turns out to be the same, or even higher, than abroad.

 

Another aspect of the problem is choice. India and Turkey offer the cheapest treatment in the world. If a patient is in a difficult situation and needs a very expensive procedure, they can raise funds. MediGlobus coordinators can advise a person on this free of charge.

Myth #2. Organising a trip abroad takes a lot of time

A sick person wants to get well as soon as possible, and every hour is precious to them. To save time, patients go to the nearest clinics, even if they know that the quality of medical services is worse there.

Myth #3. You need to know English to be treated abroad

Over the last three years, the number of medical tourists has increased by 40%. The most popular destinations among them are Turkey, Israel and Germany. In this connection, multilingual doctors work in foreign clinics. If the doctor does not know the patient’s language, the clinic provides an interpreter. In this way, the language barrier between the patient and the clinic staff is erased. The patient receives all important information about the diagnosis and method of treatment in his or her native language.

It is not necessary to be fluent in English to organise the trip. A MediGlobus consultant will help to book accommodation, buy tickets or organise airport transfers (if the clinic does not provide this service). The patient will not have to worry about formalities and can concentrate only on the treatment.

Myth #4. It is difficult to go abroad for treatment

Between receiving quality medical services and the patient stands the myth about the complexity of organising a trip abroad. At first glance, it seems that searching for a clinic, choosing a doctor, sending tests for diagnosis, buying tickets, and applying for a visa will take forever and a sick person will not be able to cope with it.

 

In reality, you can buy tickets online, and choose an inexpensive clinic with suitable treatment, a platform will help you choose a clinic, a consultant will tell you what documents you need to prepare, and the clinic will help you open a medical visa. All that remains is to come and be treated.

 

If the patient is unable to go abroad for treatment, he or she can get the doctor’s recommendations on treatment methods. This service is called ‘second opinion’ and it is not necessary to go to another country for it. The patient sends all medical certificates and statements to the clinic. In the foreign clinic, a consilium of doctors meets and together they prescribe a treatment plan. The patient learns what drugs to take and what surgeries are indicated. However, the direct treatment is carried out in the patient’s own country. MediGlobus counsellors will help you contact the clinic and quickly send the documents to the foreign doctors.

Myth #5. It is dangerous in a foreign country and there will be no support

It is as safe to be treated in a foreign country as in your own. The insurance guarantees the person’s safety after crossing the border. During the stay, the clinic takes full responsibility for him or her. It guarantees safety.

Since many patients come from abroad for treatment, clinics have regional coordinators. They meet patients at the airport, transport them to the clinic, and help them check in at the hotel. At the patient’s request, they can even organise a city tour.

To make it easier for the patient to go through such a difficult period of life, a relative or close friend can join. The clinic also takes care of the accommodation for the family.

Myth No. 6. When going for treatment abroad, you can run into a fraudster

Fraudsters are everywhere where money is involved, and medical tourism is no exception. However, in this area, it is more difficult for them to make a profit, as the organisation of the trip is standard. It is enough to know a few key differences between scammers and professional medical tourism services:

 Scammer companies have a short time of existence. It may be a month or a week old. Major medical platforms that have been around for more than a year are trustworthy.   

  There is little available information about the company online. Whereas a genuine overseas treatment company has new information available regularly. There is no point for scammers to try if they will soon shut down the site.    

Scammers don’t have reviews on Google, Facebook page and other resources. On the contrary, reviews of a real medical platform can be easily found on Google page and other specialised sites.  

Scammers have a mandatory prepayment before helping to organise treatment. If the platform is honest, its services are either free of charge or paid upon the patient’s departure for treatment.    

The services of the MediGlobus platform are free of charge. The patient pays only to the clinic’s cash desk, MediGlobus does not charge patients.

Myth #7. It is expensive and dangerous to turn to intermediaries

It is not easy to organise treatment abroad without an intermediary. There are a lot of legal nuances and unexpected obstacles. It will not be easy for a patient who is going through an illness to independently create a network of links between him and the clinic, send tests for diagnosis abroad or plan a medical trip. At the same time, a medical tourism agency has it all ready.

For example, MediGlobus co-operates with more than 200 clinics in 23 countries. Our coordinator will help to choose a clinic according to the patient’s requests. The patient can ask all the important questions about how the treatment will take place, who will treat them, how long it will take and how much the treatment costs. The services of the platform are free of charge, only the treatment itself is paid directly into the clinic’s account. The patient does not risk anything and receives the best quality services.

Summary

 Medical tourism is a safe method to receive first-class treatment abroad. By contacting a medical tourism agency, you are guaranteed that your interests will be protected and you will be able to find the most favourable offer without overpayments. 

 Widespread myths about medical tourism distort the real state of things, and because of this many people miss the opportunity to get better medical care. 

 It is important to know that the cost of treatment abroad is not always exorbitant, that there are agencies responsible for the safety and rights of medical tourists, and that with their help you can get to a foreign clinic quickly and without unnecessary worries. 

 To protect yourself from scammers, always check whether your interlocutors are actually who they say they are. In particular, medical travel agencies do not charge for their consultancy services. 

Sources:

1. 1. Inquiry: An Integrative Review of Patients’ Experience in the Medical Tourism
2. 2. Global Healthcare Accreditation: Medical Tourism Statistics and Facts
3. 3. International Healthcare Research Center: Why Patients Travel and What Holds Them Back: A Deep Dive into the Medical Tourism Decision-Making Process

Vadim Berezhnoi (M.D.)

Doctor, founder

Doctor, medical editor, expert with over 9 years of experience in the field of medical tourism.

Albina Holovina

Author/ Medical Editor

Has been working in the field of medical copywriting for 2 years. She is a postgraduate student at the Faculty of Psychology. Author of several scientific publications in the field of clinical psychology. Additionally, she studies the physiology of the central nervous system, neuropsychology, and psychiatry. In her free time, she studies mindfulness practices and conducts psychological consultations.