Medical tourism is when people travel from one country to another for medical treatment.

This may be because the treatment they want is not available in their own country, it may because the treatment is available – but at a higher cost than that obtainable in the destination country - or the waiting list for that treatment may be longer than they are prepared to wait.

Medical tourism has a long history that we know about. Thousands of years ago, Greek pilgrims made their way from their homes to a specific area in the Saronic Gulf (which is part of the Aegean Sea). Here at Epidauria, they sought healing from the god Asklepios. The travelers spent a night in a “sleeping hall” and while they slept the god would appear to them in their dreams and give them the advice they sought to heal themselves. There are also mineral springs nearby to aid the healing.

In Europe, pilgrims also visited spas – the Roman city of Bath in England has healing mineral waters and there are many other spa towns in Europe that are visited to this day. (And which do very well out of the business!)

And medical tourism is evolving and growing.

In the past, the medical tourists tended to come from less-developed countries where the treatment they wanted was not available to major medical centres in highly developed countries. But things are changing and medical tourism is becoming more of a global phenomenon.

People are demanding more and the reasons for undertaking the journey are more varied. Health tourism is becoming increasingly popular and the global industry in medical tourism is expected to rise to almost £130 billion in 2026.

One of the main reasons people seek to travel is for surgery – which may be cosmetic – but the range of treatment on offer is enormous, including such things as IVF, psychiatry, convalescence and even burial services. Alternative medicine is another popular choice as is dentistry. “Wellness tourism” also takes place, people seeking to make the best of themselves – with a little help.

Reasons for choosing medical tourism

There are many reasons a person will choose to travel abroad for medical treatment – here are some of the commoner reasons:

The treatment required is unobtainable in the home country

The treatment may be unobtainable or unlicensed in their own country. Globally there are differences in the way a treatment or a  drug is evaluated and licenced for use. Within Europe, countries may have their own therapy protocols, often relating to “cost-effectiveness”. This is often explained, at least in part, by how robust financially the countries health system is.

The quality of the treatment may not be as good

Some countries specialise in particular treatments and may have developed an extraordinary competence in these areas. Centres of excellence build up a reputation for excellent results and where the reputation is very high who wouldn’t want to benefit from this?

The cost of the treatment is too high

The cost of treatment depends upon many factors – and some countries can offer a  more affordable alternative of equal or even better quality. In some countries the price of insurance adds enormously to the cost of treatment, making going abroad an attractive alternative. And the cost of medical treatment is sky-rocketing!

The waiting list for treatment is too long

In some countries excellent treatment is available, but even for essential operations, the waiting list is far too long and patients are left to suffer for weeks or even months before they can have their operation. This may limit their mobility and even lead to longer-term disability.

People with rare conditions

When a person has a rare condition there may be very few places of excellence where treatment is available. This seems to be especially a case where children are involved, and parents will travel to these destinations where the treatment may be better understood.

Circumvention tourism

This area of medical tourism refers to times when a person may feel compelled to seek a treatment that is illegal in their home country but legal in another country. The prime example is abortion, also fertility treatments – and doctor-assisted suicide.

There is also an organisation specially designed to provide abortions under medical care - Women on Waves provides this service in a mobile clinic aboard ships in international waters. They also provide contraception and counseling services.

Personal choice and privacy

Not everyone wants to share intimate health concerns with their friends or work colleagues - going abroad may be one way to maintain their privacy – it’s a holiday is all other people need to know!

Immigrants return

Immigrants may feel more comfortable having medical treatment in their country of origin – they know the place, they have family there to help out and it’s good to see old faces and old places. Healing can take place in familiar surroundings plus they speak the language fluently!

International healthcare accreditation

International healthcare accreditation aims to certify that levels of care are satisfactory in many countries and provides a safeguard for patients. There are a number of different accreditation services but the Joint Commission International JCI is an excellent example and it requires a high quality of medical care and expertise to gain this accreditation.

Conclusion

Medical tourism is expanding and growing – for good reasons. As we become globally more aware, more opportunities are open to us – and what could be more important than our health? There are many benefits for the individual in terms of high-quality treatment, less time waiting for treatment, more choice and far less expense. It gives the person more control over their own body and how they look after it.

In addition, the medical tourism industry can have a beneficial effect on the economy of the host country.

With shorter travel times, welcoming host countries and efficient management, looking after your health is becoming easier and while you may not benefit from the wisdom of the ancient god in your dreams, your dream of better health can be more easily realised.

For further information, reach us out via link here and our friendly staff will be happy to advise you.