Factors Behind The Increasing Medical Tourism
Medical tourism refers to people traveling to a country other than their own 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. The motivation may be also for medical services unavailable or illegal in the home country. Medical tourism is direct fallout of globalization of healthcare services. Thanks to health tourism, healthcare services across the world have emerged up with vigorous speed. This rapid development is a result of interplay of several factors including the following.
Affordability
Healthcare services come at such a high price for millions of people who are mostly uninsured & therefore they extensively seek better low cost options. Cost of health treatments is now tending towards to become a discomfort which is worse than the disease itself. This has resulted in a rapid rise of demand for health tourism towards provisions of quality & affordability.
Availability
Another reason for people to travel beyond borders for healthcare services is unavailability of required health treatments in their country. This kind of travel is termed ‘need factor travel’, where people are found to go long distances beyond borders in search of better healthcare services.
Accessibility
Availability is worth only when it is conveniently accessible to the needy. High demand for healthcare services in developed countries keep patients waiting for about 6 – 12 months on average. Inaccessibility often prompts patients seek better options which meet their quality & economy criteria. Health tourism destinations like India are providing standard quality at a low cost option, while making health treatments accessible without any waiting period..
Modern Technology
Growth of healthcare services, generally depend upon technological development. Exceptional quality & standard health treatments can only be effectively delivered through the latest technological development & which includes communication & global transportation. Quality of healthcare services has drastically improved with the world coming together with help of technology.
Emergency Needs
Sometimes, emergency requirements of patients are not possible within their homeland. This also triggers search for other options which promote need for global health tourism.
Change & Progression
Change & progression is not just exciting but essential to be competitive. Based upon this concept, healthcare service providers have brought about several changes which are essential. International patients are now provided with comfortable & luxurious stays, rather than the depressing general wards. Many patients following health treatments make use of recuperating in exotic holiday destinations within the country they are visiting for treatment. This exciting change of environment eventually helps them recover much faster.
Demographics
Towards the second half of the last century, there has been a significant rise in population & which has as a result caused strain upon the availability of healthcare services across the globe. These demographic changes have also driven patients to seek health treatments in other countries around the world
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