Health & FitnessRemedies & TreatmentsMedical tourism - now more than cosmetic surgery Medical tourism - now more than cosmetic surgery
17/03/2008
Many people assume that "medical tourism" is cosmetic, yet some 50,000 patients from the UK travel abroad for procedures such as dentistry, fertility treatment and eye surgery - and it is widely believed that this number will increase. Some patients are travelling as far as India, Malaysia and South Africa for treatment, although countries closer to home such are Hungary and Poland are also emerging as popular destinations.
The cost of treatment is one of the key motivators behind the increase in medical tourism. For many people, medical procedures in a private UK clinic can be prohibitively expensive, yet by comparison, a patient who undergoes treatment in a private clinic in Poland can expect to pay up to 70% less. This lower price does not reflect the standard of treatment of qualification of the surgeon- it is simply lower because the cost of living is so much lower in Poland. Even including the cost of flights and accommodation are low - for example, making a return flight to Warsaw is not much more expensive than the train fare from London to Birmingham.
Moreover, because patients who travel abroad for treatment tend to be more thorough in researching the qualifications of their prospective surgeon, they may find themselves being treated by one of Europe's top specialists.
Not surprisingly, dentistry is one of the most common procedures for medical tourism. Take dental implants for example: a patient can expect to pay £2,200 for a single implant at a dental clinic in the UK - and only in the region of £800 in Poland. Yet both dentists use the same materials and the same brands, and in most cases come with a 5-10 year guarantee.
The spread of MRSA has also fueled the increase in medical tourism, especially as in Poland, for example, infection control is taken very seriously with fewer instances of MRSA in private clinics.
But whatever treatment you may be considering, it is worth following these few practical tips before deciding where to go:
1. Don't make any decisions based on price alone, and be prepared to pay more for a more experienced specialist abroad - which will still usually work out a lot less than surgery performed by a similarly experienced surgeon or specialist in the UK.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Be sure to find out if any further trips to your chosen country are required, and whether there are any long-term consequences of your procedures. Check on the internet and take guidance from the doctor.
3. While it is possible to co-ordinate your treatment by e-mail or telephone, you might want to consider making a short trip to your chosen country first to meet the dentist or doctor in person and also to get a feel for the clinic. This should put your mind at rest when you travel out for your procedure. Consider this as a short city break that you can justify, as you will be making cost savings further down the line.
4. Be sure to pay attention to the post-operative the advice of your surgeon or specialist. often it is worth considering spending a few extra days in your chosen country before returning home. During this time, you can stay at a spa resort, taking it easy and relaxing after your treatment.
5. Bear in mind that a trip abroad for dental or medical treatment is different to a regular holiday, so it is important to choose your travelling companion carefully - ideally somebody who is helpful and will be able to help you get dressed and go to the toilet if necessary. Alternatively, you may decide that you would rather travel alone.
6. Also think carefully about your packing. Depending on your procedure, you may wish to pack loose fitting clothes and comfortable shoes. Also make room in your suitcase for plenty of books/and or magazines to keep you entertained during your recovery period. You might also want to pack a few home comforts, such as cushions or even your favourite teabags.
For more information specifically about medical treatment in Poland, visit the site linked below.