Choosing the right destination for you
Availability of treatment
A number of destinations are becoming well-known for specialising in specific areas. It may be beneficial to explore destinations where providers specialise in the most common treatments, as lots of competition means greater savings and more choice for you. Try Hungary, Poland, Mexico and The Philippines for Dentistry; Brazil, Costa Rica, Spain or Argentina for Cosmetic surgery; France for Obesity and heart surgery; and India for Orthopaedics.
If you need highly specialised and niche treatment your destination may be more limited in availability. Also, certain procedures, such as stem cell therapy or gender change procedures are unavailable in some countries.
How far do you want to travel
You need to think about how far away you are willing to fly. Often the further away you go, the cheaper it can be, but medical tourism does not mean you have to travel to the other side of the world as there are undoubtedly quality health providers in a country not too far from your own. People in the United States for example can access South America fairly easily and with minimal flight times. Often more seasoned travellers are more inclined to go for the long-haul flight option, while travel rookies might feel more comfortable staying closer to home. Some procedures will carry certain guidelines on flight travel and you should always follow your surgeon's advice.
Focus on language
Many surgeons will have trained or worked overseas and will speak fluent English. Often service providers will purposely hire English-speaking support staff specifically to work with international patients. In other cases you are likely to be offered the services of an interpreter. If you are not comfortable relying on an interpreter, you should select a destination where an English-speaking service provider is an option.
Healthcare standards
Are you comfortable in the healthcare standards of your chosen country and provider? This means that you have done your research, asked a lot of questions and are happy with the standards of care. At the end of the day, you need to feel completely comfortable with your decision.
Destination tourism
The recovery period is widely regarded as a major part of the treatment and a major benefit of medical tourism is that you are encouraged to make the most of your destination during this period. Look into what types of activities are available that interest you. However, don't let the allure of golden beaches cloud your judgement on the right service provider. The reputation and accreditation of your medical service provider is the most important consideration.
Page last updated: Wednesday, 24th June 2009
