What this career path is about

Medical tourism is also known as health tourism, medical travel or global healthcare is a health service provided to those patients who need specialized treatment abroad. Health tourism could be defined as patient traveling from one nation to another for getting a different kind of treatment available in latter, and for many other reasons as well. The aim of such a treatment plan is to not only get well but it also acts as a vacation where one gets the opportunity to explore themselves to a different nation, language, culture reduced waiting time, better convenience, lower cost, and getting a treatment which isn’t available in their own country. Depending on the treatment procedure and location plan, one could save upto 50% to 10% of what you would pay in your hometown.

Millions of medical tourists and medical travelers travel to another country for their dental, medical and cosmetic procedures. But they are always at risk of getting low-quality treatment and hence they seek a medical tourism provider who ensures they get the best medical tourism plan suitable to their needs. A medical tourism provider could be a company or an organization specialized in some specific areas of healthcare. Their work is to bring a potential patient to a clinical service provider which is usually a clinic or a hospital. A medical tourism provider’s responsibility is to offer accurate and complete information about medical facilities, safety, quality and legal issues which include information regarding the clinics, hospitals, doctors, resorts, travel agencies, medical/travel insurance in another country as well as of local areas.

Where are they needed?

The procedure of medical tourists begins with an individual seeking medical treatment in a foreign country for which a medical tourism provider is required. A patient is obliged to provide his/her medical reports, nature of the ailment, medical history, local doctor’s opinion, diagnosis and other relevant information. A medical tourism provider takes all these details to all hospitals and clinics in collaboration with them and inquires about estimated medical costs for treatment. All the available options are given to the patients then agreements and bonds are being signed, the patient is provided with a recommendation letter for a medical visa to be secured from the concerned embassy. Then the patient travel to the destination country meets his/her medical tourism provider who imputes a case executive to look after patient’s treatment, accommodation and any other kind of care. Once done with the treatment, the patient has the option to either continue to stay and travel or to go back to their country.

Medical tourism provider responsibilities

Many people looking for medical care facilities in a foreign country have no idea where to begin from. Medical tourism providers offer a significant role here. They serve as a bridge amongst the patient and healthcare provider to ensure that the patient gains a very positive experience right from the very beginning till the end. They play a vital role as organizers, educators, advocates etc. for the secure delivery of overseas healthcare individual. The provider plans the whole medical trip from booking of hotels, flights, organizing transportation, keeping up with the patient to help them decide the best destination, coordinating with health care professionals regarding medical reports and setting up communications between patient and healthcare providers and much more. Most of the patients don’t speak the native language of the country they are planning to travel to; so it is made sure that there is someone at hospital and clinic that speak patients' language. Medical tourism facilitator also plans outgoing activities for patients to help them explore new places and make their medical trip a pleasant experience.

Kind of treatment they offer

Health tourism is a blend of leisure combined with wellness and healthcare mainly focused on two kinds of treatment systems which are Ayurvedic and Allopathic. Both of these treatment systems are rooted in India hence making a lot of patients available willing to go for such medical trips. India is reputed as most productive and leading destination for medical tourism as having a vast culture and numerous places to visit adds up to its charm.

Why go for this career path

A medical tourism provider helps people from all over the world to achieve better health treatment plans with a great chance to see a country of vast cultural and religious value. The contentment that comes with this profession is highly satisfying, and its uniqueness and being trendy make it stand amongst the most attractive career option for young people.