Medical Tourism On The Rise/health And Travel/asklepios Revisited

By Author: Chris Billington
Total Articles: 1
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Medical tourism sounds very contemporary though, but the truth is that it has been around for a number of years now. It implies seeking the application of the best in medical and healthcare services beyond the boundaries of any one particular country. The arrangement is very informal between the healthcare provider and the customer. The communication is to the point and related only to the very essential connection and contract.
The procedure,since it is personal choice, involves minimal regulatory or legal oversight to assure quality. Since the medical assistance is sought ‘beyond the physical boundaries', it comes with limited recourse to reimbursement or redress, if at all the need arises. In other words, 'Medical tourism' or health tourism involves traveling for surgery abroad and to obtain the required medical or dental care.
The term ‘ Medical Tourism' was initially coined by travel agencies and the media. It was intended to be a catchall phrase to describe a rapidly growing industry where people travel overseas, to obtain medical care. The naturally associated leisure aspect of traveling may ...
... be included on such a medical travel trip. This type of tourism includes medical services; inclusive of elective procedures and complex specialised surgeries.
The ability to travel abroad and interact with healthcare professionals overseas has enabled many to access options in:
- cosmetic surgery
- affordable healthcare
- med spas
- anti aging therapy
- plastic surgery
- spa and wellness programs
- fertility treatment alternatives
- alternative medicines
- Ayurveda and holistic remedies
- Chinese medicine
- health spas
- yoga and homeopathy centers

The dedicated new age approach in overseas healthcare is very beneficial for knee/hip replacement and heart surgery. The concept of a medical vacation however, is not a new one. The earliest recorded account of medical tourism dates back to thousands of years to when Greek pilgrims traveled from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god Asklepios. Epidauria, their destination, became the original travel destination for medical tourism.

The recent increase in popularity within the industry is on account of a combination of many factors like:
- high cost of healthcare in industrialized nations
- ease and affordability of international travel today
- improvement of technology and standards of care in many countries
- favorable currency exchange rates in the global economy
- rapidly improving technology
- proven safety of healthcare in select foreign nations

Medical tourists are basically people from anywhere in the world, however, research reveals that the bulk comes from Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Japan. Their large populations, comparatively high accessibility of wealth and lack of local healthcare options has a lot to do with this surge.

The reasons behind egging on the need for medical travel include lower healthcare costs, search for medical expertise and the quality of care, safety and wait times. Those who advocate medical tourism have always advised the indulgent and wealthy tourists to balance the unlikely legal challenges with more practical superior care facilities, before considering any surgery abroad.

Medical tourism is a fantastic blend of the availability and access to cost effective private medical care and the flourishing tourism industry. It is aimed at providing a variety of specialized treatments. The initiative to further the industry is being made by the corporate sector involved in medical care and those within the tourism industry. Healthcare or Medical tourism also refers to touring the attractive locales while on treatment.

The medical tourism industry is growing so rapidly that more and more countries and medical centers around the world are beginning to customize services aimed at the specific segment.