Pre-Operative Preparations

Once you have educated yourself on the medical procedure you will be travelling for and made the initial communication with your physician, you need to then begin your pre-operative preparations. Prepare a timetable of future proceedings, marking the treatments and important dates of consultation with the surgeon and anaesthetist. These will help keep all your appointments in check and guarantee you do not forget anything. Ensure that the physician you are communicating with for the pre-operative consultations is the same one conducting the procedure as he/she will be familiar with your case. 

Sending medical reports to the treating physician

In order to receive accurate quotes from the treating facility, it might be necessary to send in medical reports. Since your treating physician is located in a different country than you, the only form of communication you will have is via the telephone or email. Digitizing medical documents (such as MRI’s, CT scans and X-Rays) and tele-medicine are covered further in this chapter so read on to learn about communicating with your doctor with the aid of technology.

Ask questions and enquire from the treating hospital abroad

Do enquire from the hospital where your pre-op consultations will be located, about where the treatment will be conducted and about the transfer facility available post surgery. This information is essential, particularly if the healthcare facility is not providing the transportation, because you will then be required to arrange the necessary transfer yourself. Prepare yourself with as many questions and concerns as possible and make sure you relate all this information to the treating hospital or doctor. If you feel you are not satisfied with the response you are receiving, you may need to look for another hospital or physician.  

Prepare a family history for medical tourism

When preparing documents for travel, make sure you obtain or create a lengthy family and medical history for the treating doctor to review. All relevant family conditions, current and previous medications, and other key information should be documented and stored safely, as this will help your physician determine the best course of action for your case.

Ask your family doctor for your previous family history and for any guidelines so you can include comprehensive information. Include the contact info of your general physician back home, and other doctors you might have visited in the last few years. This is important in case your treating doctor needs to communicate about relevant medical concerns with your previous physicians.

Getting a pre-operative medical check-up done

If you are travelling as a patient to another country, you can expect to undergo several medical screenings and tests. This is necessary for all new patients, as the treating facility does not possess any prior records of your condition. However, if you perform all your lab and imaging tests in your home country, it could save you time and money during your trip overseas. By having these done at home, you can conduct these tests in a facility you are familiar with and have it analysed by a physician you know and trust. All medical tourists are urged to do as many tests as possible at home related to your condition, and bring copies of these documents with yourself on your medical journey.