How to gather authentic information or resources for medical tourism

Embarking on a healthcare journey is a very important decision that you have made and it requires a lot of planning.  In order to ensure thorough planning and proper organization, you need to gather a lot of information and conduct comprehensive research. A lot of the information available through the internet or medical tourism advertisements carries the potential of bias. This makes it difficult for the medical tourist to differentiate between reliable and inconsistent information.

That’s why it is important that every potential medical traveller read this section as the various mediums whereby you can gather information are discussed here. Furthermore, it provides you with the necessary knowledge on uncovering accurate information from among the countless resources available to you. 

Using the internet to gather authentic information for medical tourism

Nowadays, the internet is the most commonly used medium of collecting information as it provides a wealth of resources. However, the major downfall of the internet is that none of the information is regulated. This is the main reason that patients could potentially be misled by false information regarding medical tourism.

It is necessary that you follow through with as much research as possible to gather the necessary information. This would likely involve surfing as many websites as possible and collating the data you access. However, patients need to utilize the Internet in a smart way and research only the websites that appear credible and accredited.

There are certain websites that have been accredited with a HON stamp which proves they have been authenticated as a legitimate website distributing accurate information. By collecting as much data as you can, you can compare the information you have gathered to determine the best option available.

In order to guarantee authentic websites, you can visit the sites of governmental and non-profit organizations online, as their aim is to provide patients with the most accurate information possible.  

Double check, cross reference and always get second opinions when gathering information on medical tourism

Once all the information is collected and collated from the internet, you should consult everything you have learned with your physician. If you have researched on your medical procedure, then your trusted GP will be the best person to either confirm or clarify the knowledge you have gathered. If the research you have done has mainly been on a hospital or medical facility, a local physician can still help identify if those services claimed by individual hospital websites are possible and suitable for your condition.

While searching the internet and collecting information, be sure to investigate the publisher of the information and to verify if it is balanced and accurate. Ensure that the website is updated on a regular basis and find out when it was last updated. Medical tourism websites display the name of the doctors who are working at the facility along with the cost of the treatments. You can further validate the information via email or telephone.

Always go with a website that makes an attempt to communicate in a comprehensible language with patients; if not, you can safely assume their facilities and standards of care are of the same inferior grade. 

Use patient testimonials when gathering information on medical tourism

To access patient testimonials, it is best to attend established medical tourism forums and discussions. Sometimes, news websites (such as NPR.com) carry stories on real-life patient experiences. It is more likely on these websites that you will find honest and accurate portrayals of the encounters patients have had during medical tourism. The patient testimonials on medical tourism service provider websites could potentially describe false statements to attract foreign patients. 

Using the medical tourism websites to gather authentic information for medical tourism

There are dedicated medical tourism websites where patients can access an enormous range of impartial information related to medical travel. These sites also have informational links that will connect you with hospitals, clinics, doctors/surgeons and facilitators as well as links to other health sites. These sites can further provide you testimonials of former patients and you can consult this feedback when making your medical tourism-related decisions. 

Using resources other than the internet to gather authentic information for medical tourism

Besides the use of the internet, patients have several non-technology related options to gather authentic information. An alternative to seeking testimonials online is to ask your doctor to arrange for an interactive session with former patients who have travelled abroad. Or ask around among friends and family for anyone that may have accessed medical care abroad and sound out their advice on your many concerns. Also, you can always contact a medical facility abroad directly and enquire about as many details as you please. Most medical tourism facilities have an international patient department with dedicated representatives to help potential medical tourists out.

Seeking assistance from a medical facilitator can be a fair option as they are well versed with the medical tourism industry. They have direct connections with the facilities abroad and are interested in dedicated customer service for the medical tourist. However, since they are so closely affiliated with certain medical facilities abroad, a patient can’t be entirely sure if the information is accurate or not. A patient must ensure that the facilitator works as an independent agency and is not limited to representing certain hospitals or doctors. In the next few sections of this chapter, the role of the facilitator will be discussed in detail, along with its advantages and disadvantages.