• Pramod Goel
  • Mar 22, 2023

Part 1 of Series: Answering the Top 100 Questions of International Patients in Medical Tourism

As technology advances and the world becomes more connected, medical tourism continues to gain popularity. Medical travel involves individuals seeking medical procedures in other countries that are not available or affordable in their home country. To provide appropriate care and services, it's essential for medical providers and healthcare facilities to understand the reasons behind a medical traveler's needs. 

In this guide, we will delve into the questions that medical travelers may ask themselves when considering medical travel and how healthcare providers can leverage this information to better prepare and understand their customers who may be seeking surgery abroad. 

Why am I considering medical travel? 

When considering medical travel, the initial and critical question that arises for most people is the reason for pursuing it. While cost savings are the main motivator for many individuals, as medical procedures in other countries can be substantially cheaper than in their home country, other factors such as access to specialized treatments, state-of-the-art medical facilities, or the opportunity to merge medical treatment with a vacation can also influence the decision.  

Why will I be motivated to travel and what expectations I have from this experience? 

To ensure that your medical tourism business is successful, it's essential to understand your customers' motivations and expectations. Nowadays, patients expect a personalized experience and will conduct thorough research to select a reputable provider and destination. In the post-COVID era, patients are particularly seeking transparency, readily available information, no hidden costs, cost savings, and a positive customer experience from the time they start looking for a solution until they return home. By providing these features, patients are more likely to recommend medical travel to their friends and family, ultimately driving more business to your company. 

Why will I choose a specific destination and medical facility for my procedure? 

Once medical traveler has determined that medical travel is the right choice for them, they must decide on the specific destination and medical facility for their procedure. Factors such as the reputation of the facility, the qualifications and experience of the medical staff, and the availability of follow-up care are all essential considerations. The choice of destination depends on personal preferences, budget, friend’s recommendations, marketing and advertising, accessibility and convenience. Providers can organize their value proposition accordingly to attract medical tourists.  

Why do I believe that the medical procedure I am considering is not available or affordable in my home country? 

To understand why medical travelers, believe that the medical procedure they seek is not available or affordable in their home country, providing comparative data can help patients visualize the benefits of traveling abroad and the return on investment. By offering free estimates or second opinions on the procedure and comparing them with the options available in their home country, healthcare providers can provide a valuable tool to attract international customers. This approach can be an effective way to showcase the value proposition of medical travel and give patients a clear understanding of the costs and benefits of seeking medical treatment abroad. 

Why do I believe the cost savings of medical travel are worth the potential risks and complications? 

Although cost savings may be a significant incentive for medical travel, it is essential to consider the potential risks and complications alongside the potential benefits. Healthcare providers can play a vital role in educating patients on these factors to help them make an informed decision. Categorizing the potential risks and complications and comparing them with local care can be an effective way to clarify doubts. These considerations may include financial benefits, equivalent or better medical outcomes, doctor's credentials, clinic certifications, complication insurance, and legal considerations. By providing this information, healthcare providers can help medical travelers weigh the pros and cons of medical travel and make well-informed decision that takes into account their individual needs and circumstances. 

Why do I believe the medical travel experience will meet my personal and medical needs? 

To ensure that medical travel meets their personal and medical needs, patients require a certain level of confidence in the travel experience. This confidence can be influenced by several factors, including the location's accessibility and convenience, the quality of medical care, and the availability of follow-up care. As healthcare providers, it is important to address these factors to reassure patients that their needs will be met and that they will receive the necessary support and care.  

Patients may have concerns regarding the logistics of traveling to and from their destination, navigating the local environment, and accessing medical facilities. By providing comprehensive information on these aspects, healthcare providers can help patients understand the travel process and feel more confident in their ability to undertake medical travel. Patients need to have confidence that the medical professionals and facilities which could include information on the healthcare provider's qualifications, certifications, and accreditations. By providing such information, healthcare providers can help alleviate any doubts that patients may have regarding the quality of care they will receive. 

Why do I believe that I will receive the necessary support and follow-up care after the procedure? 

To ensure a successful medical travel experience, the availability of follow-up care is essential. Patients must have confidence in the availability of necessary support and care after their medical procedure, whether it is in the destination country or back in their home country. This can include details on the availability of medical follow-up, post-operative care, rehabilitation, and emotional support.  

It is the responsibility of healthcare providers to help patients access these resources. Providers can offer information, coordinate with local medical providers, and provide emotional support to patients who require it. This can help patients feel more confident and prepared to manage their care following their medical procedure. 

Healthcare providers can also provide guidance on managing post-operative care and scheduling necessary follow-up appointments with local medical providers. This includes information on self-care, managing medication, and scheduling follow-up appointments. By doing so, healthcare providers can help patients plan their medical travel experience and feel more confident in their ability to manage their care after the procedure. 

Why do I believe that the location is accessible and convenient for transportation and accommodations? 

The accessibility and convenience of the location are essential factors to consider for medical travelers. Patients need to have confidence in the availability and quality of transportation and accommodations that meet their specific needs and budget. Patients need to have access to reliable transportation to and from their medical appointments, both within the destination country and when returning home. This may include information on transportation options such as taxis, public transport, or private cars, as well as guidance on navigating local transportation networks.  

Patients also need to have access to comfortable and safe accommodations that meet their specific needs and budget. This may include information on local hotels, apartments, or other accommodations that meet medical travel standards. Additionally, healthcare providers can offer guidance on local amenities and services such as food options, shopping, and local attractions. This can help patients feel more comfortable in the local environment and ensure that their medical travel experience is both convenient and enjoyable. Providers need to help ensure that patients have access to these resources. 

Why do I believe that I will be able to obtain medical records and any necessary follow-up treatment after returning home? 

Access to medical records is essential for any medical procedure, and medical travelers are no exception. Patients need to have access to their medical records to ensure that they can provide necessary information to local medical providers and receive the necessary follow-up care. Providers must ensure that patients have access to their medical records, either by providing them directly or by facilitating the process of obtaining them. Additionally, arranging for follow-up care is an important consideration for medical travelers. Patients need to have access to providers who can provide follow-up care and monitor their recovery progress.  

Why do I believe that medical travel is the right choice for me at this time? 

The decision to undertake medical travel is a significant one and requires careful consideration. Patients need to evaluate their medical needs, personal circumstances, and the potential benefits and risks of medical travel to make an informed decision. Patients also need to assess whether the procedure is urgent or can be scheduled at a later date, as well as evaluate their personal circumstances and determine whether medical travel is feasible for them. This may include considerations such as their age, overall health, and ability to travel. Patients may also need to consider their responsibilities, such as work and family, and how medical travel may impact these responsibilities. Providers can understand and help navigate patient through these questions to help them plan and have an exceptional medical travel experience. 

Patient’s WHY 

Understanding the information discussed in this guide is crucial for healthcare providers to better serve their medical travel patients. By addressing the questions and concerns that medical travelers may have, providers can ensure that their patients have a positive and successful medical travel experience. 

Ultimately, the motivation behind medical travel is to receive quality medical care that meets the individual's unique needs and circumstances. By understanding the reasons behind medical travelers' needs, providers can improve their services and continue to meet the growing demand for medical travel. 

Healthcare providers can play a crucial role in helping patients navigate the medical travel process by providing comprehensive information and support. This includes providing information on the medical procedure, coordinating with local service providers, and ensuring that patients have access to necessary resources such as follow-up care and medical records. 

In conclusion, addressing the questions and concerns of medical travelers is essential for healthcare providers to provide high-quality care and ensure the success of medical travel. By understanding the motivations behind medical travel, healthcare providers can better serve their patients and contribute to the growth of the medical travel industry. 

Join PlacidWay: Learn More About Medical Tourism and How to Provide Exceptional Care to Your Medical Travelers.