GREAT HOSPITALS GREAT DOCTORS

Transcription

Yo u r
G u i d e
t o
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
M e d i c i n e
Medical Tourism
ISSUE 21
GREAT HOSPITALS
NEED
GREAT DOCTORS
Pg 7
Public-Private
Partnerships for
Sustainable Growth
of Medical Tourism
Pg 51
Comfort Zone ~
Satisfying Patient
and Health Provider
Demands
Pg 41
The Challenges of
Implementing High
Quality Healthcare
in Jamaica
Pg 56
1
June / July 2011
© Copyright Medical Tourism Association
THESE HOSPITALS ARE AMONG
THE BEST
INTERNATIONAL
ALL HOSPITALS ARE
MEMBERS OF THE MTA
HOSPITALS
IN THE WORLD
AFRICA
THE NAIROBI HOSPITAL
www.nairobihospital.org
BAHAMAS
ISRAEL
THAILAND
ASSAF HAROFEH MEDICAL CENTER
www.assafh.org
BUMRUNGRAD INTERNATIONAL
www.bumrungrad.com
JORDAN
BANGKOK HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
www.bangkokhospital.com
DOCTORS HOSPITAL
www.doctorshosp.com
JORDAN HOSPITAL
www.jordan-hospital.com
BRAZIL
THE SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
www.specialty-hospital.com
CHINA
PRINCE COURT MEDICAL CENTRE SDN. BHD.
www.princecourt.com
GMC HOSPITAL
www.gmchospital.com
COLOMBIA
ALMATER HOSPITAL
http://www.almater.com
MEXICO
UNITED STATES
HOSPITAL ALEMAO OSWALDO CRUZ
www.hospitalalemao.org.br
BEIJING UNITED HOSPITALS & CLINICS
www.ufh.com.cn
CLUSTER DE SERVICIOS DE
MEDICINA Y ODONTOLOGIA
MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES CLUSTER
www.medellinhealthcity.com
FUNDACION CARDIOVASCULAR HOSPITAL
www.FCV.Colombia.org
COSTA RICA
HOSPITAL CLINICA BIBLICA
www.hcbinternational.com
ECUADOR
CONCLINA C.A. HOSPITAL METROPOLITANO
www.hospitalmetropolitano.org
GUATEMALA
MALAYSIA
MEDICA SUR S.A.B DE C.V
www.medicaltourismmexico.com.mx
PANAMA
HOSPITAL PUNTA PACIFICA
www.hospitalpuntapacifica.com
SOUTH KOREA
SEOUL WOORIDUL SPINE HOSPITAL
www.wooridul.com
SEVERANCE HOSPITAL
YONSEI UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
http://www.yuhs.or.kr/en
SHUANG HO HOSPITAL
http://shh.tmu.edu.tw/
INDIA
TAIPEI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
http://tmuh.tmu.edu.tw/
NARAYANA HRUDAYALAYA
www.narayanahospitals.com
AMERICAN HOSPITAL DUBAI
www.ahdubai.com
BAPTIST HOSPITAL
SOUTH FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
www.baptisthealth.net
HCA EAST FLORIDA DIVISION
www.saludinternacional.com
JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
INTERNATIONAL
www.jmhi.org
VIETNAM
FV HOSPITAL – FAR EAST VIETNAM
LIMITED
www.fvhospital.com
TAIWAN
GUATEMALA HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM
COMMISSION, AGEXPORT
www.healthwellnessguatemala.com
MEDANTA – THE MEDICITY
www.medanta.org
UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES
WAN FANG HOSPITAL
http://wfh.tmu.edu.tw/
SEVENHILLS HOSPITAL
www.sevenhillshospital.com
2
June / July 2011
Editorial
DRIVING THE
MOMENTUM
T
he Momentum has never been stronger for the medical
tourism industry and the Medical Tourism Association.
The interest in medical tourism is reaching its highest
global peak ever and the MTA has more initiatives in motion for
2011-2013 than ever before. We have launched more projects and
to support and sustain the current growth of the industry as well
as to infuse even faster and broader ranged growth for patients
traveling for healthcare. MTA initiatives are threefold in effect:
to raise awareness of the high quality, affordable opportunities
to travel for healthcare for the individual consumer; to educate
with a purpose of long term adoption and implementation of
international healthcare options by international employers
and insurance companies; and to educate local and federal
governments worldwide to foster improved and increased Public
Private Partnerships of stakeholders and to generate the increased
support of governments and NGO’s for the initiatives of hospitals
and healthcare providers to raise the quality and delivery of care to
local and international patients.
MTA will be releasing the results of its extensive survey
conducted this year which had an overwhelming response. We have
learned there is a tremendous growth of interest from Insurance and
Employer groups worldwide. And while we have heard marketing
and consulting firms talk down about the US market, disenchanted
with the rate of implementation for medical tourism programs or
serving their own personal agendas in other countries. What we
found through the surveys is that the educational programs we
have developed through webinars, workshops and conference
have really started to take effect. Specifically in the US market, a
large IMO is creating a membership group starting from 10,000
initial members up to 100,000 licensed insurance agents to provide
information on healthcare reform and also medical tourism
so these agents can present to their clients. These educational
networks are an important big step towards obtaining buy-in for
from the employers they recommend products to. So stay tuned,
they are fired up!
The greatest announcement for our Membership this year is the
opportunities evolved from the launch of www.MedicalTourism.
com website under MTA management. We are excited to
announce that our new patient/consumer awareness website is
up and running at www.Medicaltourism.com. Totally redesigned
with a new look, feel and user accessibility options, the site will be
translated into eight different languages. In the next few weeks the
Arabic and Spanish versions will be up and running with Russian,
Chinese, and Japanese to follow immediately thereafter. The MTA
is dedicating a good amount of resources to boost the content and
accessibility of information to raise awareness of medical tourism
and to achieve a central point of information for patients to access
timely data on destinations, procedures and providers in various
regions. We expect to add thousands of pages of content to the
website over the next twelve months.
One of our new branding programs is the Healthcare and
Medical Tourism Destination Guides which will be in print and
online free of charge at www.MedicalTourism.com, providing
patients and consumers unlimited access to detailed information
about various cities and countries offering healthcare services
to traveling patients. The first destination healthcare guide will
be unveiled on the website by October 25th, just in time for the
MTA’s annual conference.
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June / July 2011
This year’s conference, October 25-28th is going to be our
best yet with excellent content and improved networking and
virtual exhibition opportunities as well as onsite exhibition in
a convention hall. The theme of this year’s event is “Patients
in Emerging Markets.” October 25, 2011 is dedicated to our
members with access to exclusive roundtables and presentations
and workshops. A majority of our speakers this year are new
speakers whose perspectives will inspire and educate.
If you are considered a “buyer of healthcare,” be sure to apply
for our “Buyers of Healthcare VIP Pass,” as we will be covering
the cost of up to 400 buyers this year from all over the globe. It
will be a great event with inspiring Keynote Speakers and we will
be announcing the winners of the International Medical Tourism
Leadership Awards during the conference. I am proud of the
healthcare leaders and faculty that have applied and have been
nominated for these distinguished awards.
Since we have partially integrated our conference this year with
the Employer Healthcare Congress, which is one of the largest US
health insurance conferences, we anticipate the greatest exposure
to networking opportunities to date for medical tourism attendees
to have with employers and the insurance industry.
Attendees
will also have a great opportunity of networking with international
insurance companies and employers through the full integration of
the Global Benefits and International Insurance Conference that is
organized within the medical tourism conference this year.
Why Chicago? Chicago is well known for being a leader in
reforming public schools, enhancing public safety and security
initiatives, providing affordable housing in attractive and
economically sound communities, ensuring accessibility for all
and fostering, social, economic and environmental sustainability.
It is also the central location of many of the largest employers
in the USA and globally. And, most importantly, it is one of the
largest cities of populations of international medical associations,
consular offices and offers direct flights from all over the globe.
We look forward to seeing you there! n
Renee-Marie Stephano is the President of the
Medical Tourism Association™ . Ms. Stephano
is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Medical Tourism
Magazine, Health Tourism Magazine and
Healthcare Development Magazine.
Having a background in international marketing
and relations, health law and litigation, she
provides a valuable service to the Medical
Tourism Association™ in these fields. Ms.
Stephano speaks regularly at international
healthcare conferences on the Legal Issues Surrounding Medical
Tourism and in the United States to employer groups, insurance
groups and physician associations. Renee-Marie consults
international government ministries, private sector organizations
and NGO’s about the growth of the global healthcare industry
and accreditation, providing marketing assistance to promote
their countries high quality of care. Ms. Stephano works with
governments and healthcare clusters in the development of their
Medical Tourism Initiatives. Ms. Stephano recently is the co-author
of three books : “Developing an International Patient Center: A
Guide to Creating the Best Patient Experience”, the book “The
Medical Tourism Facilitator: A Best Practices Guide to Healthcare
Facilitation for International Patients” and the book: “Medical
Tourism ~ An International Healthcare Guide For Insurers,
Employers and Governments.” Ms. Stephano can be reached at
[email protected]
MEDICAL TOURISM
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & PUBLISHER
Renée-Marie Stephano, Esquire
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Jonathan S. Edelheit
Gabriella Vicuña
Olivia Goodwin
ONLINE MAGAZINE EDITOR
Marinés Mazzari
REGULAR AUTHORS
Jonathan S. Edelheit
Bill Cook
Dan Cormany
Dr. Prem Jagyasi
Gabriella Vicuña
Cristina Cardona
Daniel Benzler
CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS
Shawn Connors
Vibhu Talwar
Adalto Felix de Godoi
Anita Medhekar
Monica Wainbarg
June Smailes
Emilio Williams
Gabriel Rosales
Javier Vera Cucchiaro
Patricia Velazquez
Horacio Lostia
Pablo Salvador
Lucas Roic
René A. Cadillo
ART DIRECTOR
ART DEPARTMENT
Dinier Quirós
MAIN OFFICES
10130 Northlake Blvd. Suite 214-315
West Palm Beach, Florida 33412
USA
Tel:561-791-2000
Fax: 866-756-0811
[email protected]
www.MedicalTourismMag.com
REGIONAL OFFICES
San Jose, Costa Rica
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Istanbul, Turkey
Seoul, Korea Tel Aviv, Israel
Heiligenhaus, Germany
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Recife, Brazil
Athens, Greece
New York, USA
Barcelona, Spain
Alma Ata, Kazakhstan
FOLLOW US ON:
www.linkedin.com/company/medical-tourism-association
www.twitter.com/medtour
www.medicaltourismcity.com
www.facebook.com/medicaltourismassociation
4
June / July 2011
COPYRIGHT © 2011 BY MEDICAL TOURISM ASSOCIATION
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN
© Copyright
PART WITHOUT
PERMISSION
PROHIBITED.
MedicalISTourism
Association
June/July 2011
Medical Tourism
AT A GLANCE
Editorial
Driving the Momentum
3
The Momentum has never been stronger for the medical
tourism industry and the Medical Tourism Association.
The interest in medical tourism is reaching its highest
global peak ever and the MTA has more initiatives
in motion for 2011-2013 than ever before. We have
launched more projects and to support and sustain the
current growth of the industry as well as to infuse even
faster and broader ranged growth for patients traveling
for healthcare.
BY RENÉE-MARIE STEPHANO
Features
Great Hospitals Need Great Doctors
7
Even the best facility is dependent on another key
ingredient; the doctors and medical staff who work
there. They are the people on whom the reputation of
the hospital depends; good doctors attract new clients by
recommendation. Conversely, serious negative publicity
can be generated by the exposure of poor medical practice.
As patients become better informed, so the level of their
expectations of care rises.
Food Service, Meet
Your New Patron, the
Medical
Traveler
The boom in medical tourism has increased the need
17
BY DR. JUNE SMAILES
for hospitality staff training and education. The
foodservice facet is no exception. While restaurants and
hotel food and beverage operations are already seeing
the demand for healthy menu options and safer food
handling practices, the medical tourist segment could
quite literally make these compliances a matter of “life
and death.”
BY DAN CORMANY AND MIRANDA KITTERLIN
Coordinated Care: What Hospitals Around
the Globe Can Learn from the Experience of
U.S. Hospitals
36
Healthcare in the United States, and in many other places
around the globe, is living a watershed moment: the advent
of Accountable Healthcare, or pay-for-performance. This
trend describes the increase pressure by payers (both
governments and private insurances) for healthcare
providers to show better clinical outcomes efficiency and
patient satisfaction, proportionally correlating payments
to specific measurements on those fields.
BY EMILIO WILLIAMS
Comfort Zone ~ Satisfying Patient and Health
Provider Demands
41
Medical Tourism is a fast moving and incredibly
challenging market place. There are many organizations
wishing to jump on the bandwagon and there are many
too who are falling off very quickly! Success requires a
thorough understanding of ever changing patient demands.
BY ADRIAN MYRAM
The Challenges of Implementing High Quality
Healthcare in Jamaica
56
The demand for effective care for cardiovascular diseases
will exert major economic pressure on health systems in
developing countries in the years ahead and will further
threaten social order and structures in these countries,
unless innovative and ingenious approaches are identified
to sustainably mitigate the circumstances.
BY ERNEST MADU
5
June / July 2011
Economics
Rob a Bank for Healthcare- The Only Option
in 2011?
28
This indeed did seem like the only option for Richard
James Verone, a 59-year-old from North Carolina, who
robbed a bank on June 9, 2011 claiming this was the only
way for him to get coverage; because they have to provide
healthcare in prison.
BY JONATHAN EDELHEIT
Medical Tourism ~ An Engine to Growth in
the Consumption of Medical Equipment
30
In many countries medical tourism has been a model of
economic activity with a significant growth in recent years.
This is particularly the case in Asia and Latin America,
both emerging as major players in this market. Some of
these countries have been treating patients worldwide for
decades. Combining the experience gained with existing
technology, increased knowledge and participation in
international medicine; this has influenced the consumption
of medical equipment and is currently becoming an engine
for growth in the healthcare industry
BY ADALTO FELIX DE GODOI
June/July 2011
Medical Tourism
AT A GLANCE
News & Insights
The 4th World Medical Tourism & Global
Healthcare Congress
10
The 4th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare
Congress will open its doors to all key players in the
healthcare industry from October 25-28th in the city of
Chicago, Illinois. With a special focus on bringing buyers
of healthcare from different parts of the world, the 4th
edition promises to provide the perfect platform for buyers,
providers and governments to connect and learn about
global healthcares latest trends.
BY CRISTINA CARDONA
Medical Tourism- The
Indian Angle
59
X
Current Trends in Esthetic Surgery
45
Due to the rise in number of non-invasive and miniinvasive procedures, patients now demand optimal results
after less-aggressive, lower-risk, brief-recovery surgeries.
Plastic Surgery has evolved in the last decade regarding
surgical techniques and development of new technologies.
Medical tourism has augmented partly because of
increasing healthcare costs in developed countries, crossborder medical training and persistent air travel. The
growth of medical tourism industry is marked globally,
encompassing around 50 countries in all continents.
The leadership is shown by several Asian countries like
India, Singapore and Thailand. South and Southeast
regions of Asia attract around more than a million
medical travellers per year.
BY BHAWANA SAHU
B Y JAVIER VERA CUCCHIARO, PATRICIA
VELAZQUEZ, HORACIO LOSTIA, PABLO
SALVADOR, LUCAS ROIC AND RENE CADILLO
Your Employees Will Be Global Healthcare
Consumers — Are You Prepared to
Communicate with Them?
24
A “perfect storm” of trends occurred about 10 years ago
in the music industry, and it changed the landscape of
that business forever. A fresh wave of consumers suddenly
had a new host of Internet tools and a profound sense of
empowerment. The conventional method of buying music
would soon be history. Get ready, because a similar storm
is brewing in the healthcare industry, and an important
disruption is about to occur to the conventional system of
wellness communication.
BY SHAWN CONNORS
Saving Lives
Effect of Weight Loss Surgery on Metabolic
Disorders in the Obese and Non-Obese
48
It is estimated that 190 million people worldwide have
diabetes and it is likely that this will increase to 324 million
by 2025. The logic dictates that it will always be easier
and cost-effective to prevent diseases rather than treating
them, even more so if these diseases are chronic and life
threatening such as in the case of diabetes, high blood
pressure and the rest of the diseases that accompany the
metabolic syndrome.
BY DR. GABRIEL ROSALES
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June / July 2011
Sustainability
Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable
Growth of Medical Tourism
51
Medical tourism is a predominant niche market and
of special interest within the tourism segment and the
globalized health care service industry. This industry is
being facilitated by the destinations’ government, private
corporate sector involved in the medical-care and the
tourism industry.
BY ANITA MEDHEKAR
Q&A
Medical Tourism Q&A from New
MTA Member: Sanivisit
International Travel for Medical Purposes~
A Growing Option in Finding Value in
Healthcare
33
Sanivisit is a Company dedicated to the facilitation of
Medical Tourism, and is located in Reston, Virginia, USA.
Sanivisit provides a complete VIP service; helping the patient
schedule a travel itinerary and coordinating all logistical
details associated with the medical procedure and vacation.
Sanivisit has partnered with Clinica Colsanitas S.A., a
premier medical provider based in Colombia, and one of
the top healthcare organizations in Latin America.
MEDICAL TOURISM
Great Hospitals
Need Great Doctors
By DR. JUNE SMAILES
The last few years have seen major improvements in the quality of medical care in hospitals offering medical tourism
services across the world. The impact of accreditation has served to ensure that safe practice has been disseminated
and accreditation awarded to facilities that, after rigorous inspection, have proved that they meet the standards of the
accreditation body.
P
atients are therefore more easily able to identify
facilities that have policies and practices in place that
evidence the commitment of the establishment to high
quality medical care. The increased use of internet sites to assist
patient choice allows potential patients to make more informed
choices taking both cost and safety into account.
However, the facilities and policies of a medical
establishment tell only part of the story. Even the best facility
is dependent on another key ingredient, the doctors and
medical staff who work there. They are the people on whom
the reputation of the hospital depends; good doctors attract
new clients by recommendation. Conversely, serious negative
publicity can be generated by the exposure of poor medical
practice. As patients become better informed, so the level of
their expectations of care rises.
Doctors are, in general, conscientious practitioners who
work incredibly hard to offer the best possible service to their
patients. They are committed to providing high quality care
and take pleasure and pride in the outcomes of their work.
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June / July 2011
In many settings, they work independently and receive
little professional feedback from peers or management. This
can make the life of a quality manager with a batch of new
hospital policies to disseminate, and with the responsibility of
informing medical staff using the hospital of the latest agreed
safe practices, challenging. I have personally seen examples
of hospital managers being reluctant to question known bad
practice in case the popular doctor would choose to work
elsewhere to avoid changing a lifetime’s habits, resulting in loss
of revenue to the hospital.
The measurement of outcomes provides a useful tool to
ensure that practices within the hospital are optimal. This is
The increased use of Internet sites
to assist patient choice allows
potential patients to make more
informed choices taking both cost
and safety into account.
particularly useful in surgical specialities and to monitor
indicators such as infection control. Poor performance on these
indicators can ensure that a review of practice highlights areas
requiring further investigation, training and resultant change
in practice. Increasingly, patients are asking for outcomes
evidence and in the case of surgeons, evidence also of the
number of procedures performed by particular surgeons before
committing to surgery.
Whilst most doctors will be excellent ambassadors for the
hospital or clinic, a particular challenge, especially with doctors
who are not directly employed by the hospital, is to identify
those few doctors who are not performing adequately, either
because of training needs or for personal reasons. A poorly
performing doctor risks not only the health of their patient but
also the reputation of the hospital.
Doctors are good at helping their patients, but may be
less good at helping themselves when necessary. They are less
likely than their patients to ask for help for their own medical
problems, especially if they are suffering from what they
perceive would be a stigmatising illness such as mental health
difficulties, alcohol or drug abuse. Self prescribing or ‘corridor
consultations’ may replace conventional care, as the doctor
struggles with the concept of taking on the patient role whilst
maintaining their own professional practice. Early identification
of these doctors enables adequate confidential support to be
offered to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect
both the doctor, hospital and, crucially, the patient from the
inevitable long term consequences of poor performance.
Setting up a system to identify these individuals requires
several key components. Firstly, the system must be seen as
having some advantage for doctors taking part. It must not
be perceived as a performance management tool but as a
supportive and confidential process. Doctors must trust that
it exists for their benefit as well as for patient care. It must be
The measurement of outcomes
provides a useful tool to ensure
that practices within the
hospital are optimal.
evidence based and the assessment not rely solely on the
doctor’s own perception of their performance.
An annual review, or appraisal, can serve the purpose well.
Often, preparation for the review is seen by doctors as the most
helpful part of the process providing an opportunity to think
about what has happened over the past year, reflecting on how
much work has been done and how much has been achieved,
and to think about what feels important for the coming year.
In the vast majority of cases the review will be an opportunity
for the doctor to celebrate all the hard work they have done
and to discuss any problems they are experiencing working at
the hospital. This, in itself, acts to boost morale and increase
loyalty to the hospital.
Maria Bugeja, owner of Saint James Hospital Malta, was
keen to look at developing a system to offer annual reviews
to medical staff at the hospital. In 2009 a team of experienced
external medical appraisers were invited to conducted appraisals
of both medical and management staff. The experience of the
hospital was overwhelmingly positive. Post appraisal feedback
sought from staff involved in the process.
The second round of reviews in 2010 once again proved to
be successful with numerous areas for development of services
within the hospital identified, allowing the hospital to improve
systems and staff morale.
In order to conduct a meaningful review, it is essential that
evidence of both achievements and difficulties is submitted.
Evidence that is useful in these reviews includes the doctor
describing exactly what their job entails, personal audits,
outcome data, significant or critical event discussion, and
evidence of learning which implies not only attending courses,
but also how that learning has been put into practice to benefit
patient care.
See enough patients and all doctors will receive complaints.
Some will be minor and some more concerning. Discussion
of the effect of the complaint on subsequent care ensures that
lessons are learned. Doctors tend to be perfectionists and a
serious complaint can significantly undermine confidence.
A review of all complaints received throughout the year
may highlight areas which need addressing by the hospital if
common themes recur.
Health, in its widest sense, should be addressed, ensuring
that any problems that may affect patient care are identified
and appropriate support offered. Doctors should be strongly
encouraged to seek medical help when required and to, when
necessary, have an independent view of their ability to work
safely.
Poorly performing doctors or doctors in difficulty have
often already been identified by staff who may not have an
easy way of communicating their concern. There are many
examples of tragedies that could have been averted if concerns
had been shared. Numerous multisource feedback tools are
available enabling anonymous feedback from colleagues to be
included in the annual review. This area needs to be addressed
sensitively as it is important that doctors do not feel threatened
that this may result in the ‘losing face’. In reality the feedback
is usually excellent and always helpful. One doctor recently
was amazed that her colleagues wished she would sometimes
‘say no’. She was exhausted with too much responsibility
on her shoulders but felt obliged to take on more and more
when asked. Her colleagues were in fact delighted to be more
involved themselves and relieved that she was able to decline
further responsibilities.
8
June / July 2011
The basis of the review discussion is one of mutual trust
and honesty. In order to make this possible it is important that
ground rules are established at the beginning of the discussion.
These will vary according to the values of the organisation but
the basis should be of a confidential discussion with the proviso
that should any issues come to light which may adversely affect
patient care that these will be acted upon accordingly.
An agreed written record of the discussion is kept by the
doctor and the hospital and a personal development plan
agreed following the discussion. This should address learning
and professional development needs with objectives, deadlines
and plan for each need. Different organisations will have their
own view as to how much detail should be included in the
record and who can have access to it.
As part of the discussion the doctor should be invited to give
their feedback on the organisation, what works well and what
could be improved upon. Sometimes, similar themes emerge
throughout several reviews giving the hospital an opportunity
to reflect upon possible improvements. Often simple changes
can make a big difference and make doctors feel they are both
valued and listened to.
The review can be a time when frustrations and concerns
are shared and it is essential that adequate training is offered
the reviewer. The choice of person is vital; most doctors prefer
to have a discussion with another doctor, but probably not
one with whom they work closely. An independent reviewer
model can facilitate more honest and open discussion. It is
essential that the reviewer, or appraiser, has adequate training
to prepare them for this role which requires a combination of
well developed listening skills, empathy, and ability to both
support and challenge.
Should significant difficulties be identified, support
mechanisms must be readily available. Health related issues
must be handled sensitively but robustly with the involvement
of healthcare professionals. Some doctors feel ‘stuck’ and
unable to resolve their work related difficulties or career
choices alone. An effective local mentoring scheme can enable
doctors to find their own solutions and move on in their career.
Mentoring, or coaching, should be conducted by appropriately
trained individuals who are able to facilitate personal and
professional growth of the individual.
So, why is all of this important? Successful medical
tourism provision, whether international or domestic, requires
excellence at many levels. The facility needs to be of high
quality and to be seen to practice in safe evidence based way. It
requires effective marketing and a reputation for having good
outcomes.
However, most importantly, it requires its staff to uphold that
reputation. The annual review of doctors serves two important
functions. The vast majority of reviews will acknowledge the
evidenced hard work done by the doctors, listen to concerns
and frustrations and agree action plans for the coming year.
The important minority will identify doctors in difficulty and
offer support to enable them to have the best chance to return
to effective practice before patient care is compromised.
Doctors have a duty of care to their patients, but also to
themselves, to ensure that they are performing safely to the best
of their ability. As with all quality initiatives, the important
thing is that ultimately the patient benefits. A safe doctor is
more likely to have a satisfied patient. n
Dr. June Smailes MB ChB DCH DRCOG
qualified as a doctor in Sheffield, UK in
1981. After working for 25 years in clinical
settings in hospital and family medicine,
including being senior partner of a 4
doctor practice, she became interested in
the assessment of quality of healthcare.
Becoming a lead surveyor and Board
Member of Trent Accreditation Scheme
in 2006, she had the opportunity to visit
medical facilities internationally as well as presenting at meetings
on the importance of improving quality in healthcare. Following
training in Doctor Appraisal and Mentoring, and with 4 years
experience in providing these services, she offers advice and
training to organisations wishing to set up tailored systems to suit
their organisation.
Contact [email protected] for further information.
Doctors have a duty of care to their
patients, but also to themselves,
to ensure that they are performing
safely to the best of their ability.
9
June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
The 4th World Medical Tourism
& Global Healthcare Congress
By CRISTINA CARDONA
The 4th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress will open its doors to all key players in the healthcare
industry from October 25-28th in the city of Chicago, Illinois. With a special focus on bringing buyers of healthcare from
different parts of the world, the 4th edition promises to provide the perfect platform for buyers, providers and governments
to connect and learn about global healthcares latest trends.
Experience Chicagoland
Chicago is a city of big business; it houses many of the
largest employers in the world such as United Airlines,
Motorola and Walgreens. In addition to being a hub for
business; this multicultural city welcomes its visitors with a
rich history, architecture and a wide variety of recreational
options. Chicago is well known for being a leader in reforming
public schools, enhancing public safety and security initiatives,
providing affordable housing in attractive and economically
sound communities, ensuring accessibility for all and fostering,
social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Bringing all Key Healthcare Players Together
This year, Chicago will be the witness, host and active
participant of the 4th World Medical Tourism and Global
Healthcare Congress, the largest Congress in the industry which
will contribute to the city’s diversity by welcoming healthcare
industry players from all parts of the world.
10
June / July 2011
The theme of this 4th edition of the Congress will be
“Patients in Emerging Markets”. Regions such as Russia,
Ukraine, CIS Countries, China, Japan, the Middle East,
GCC regions and Africa, which are going through significant
economic and development growth are also experimenting a
boom in medical tourism.
With the goal of getting all the key players in the industry
together, the Congress will be the perfect platform to educate
and present the latest trends in global healthcare.
Employers, Insurers and Governments who are greatly
concerned about rising healthcare costs are facing the challenge
of providing the best quality healthcare while trying to reduce
their costs. Considering the growing diversity of the workforce,
multinational companies are exploring different options among
which one of them is international healthcare. This Congress
will offer an opportunity to connect with other employers and
international insurers who have implemented medical tourism
and global benefits programs in order to discuss challenges,
opportunities and best practices in this field.
In addition, healthcare providers are more than ever forced
to compete more effectively and to foster innovation in multiple
areas in order to attract more patients to their facilities due
to the globalization of healthcare. According to the Deloitte
2011 Survey of Healthcare Consumers, patient willingness
to engage in managing their healthcare is evolving; and, they
also believe there are opportunities for their healthcare system
to improve in the areas of cost efficiency, effectiveness and
clinical effectiveness. These two factors are driving healthcare
providers to compete more effectively and to build a brand in
international healthcare. The 4th World Medical Tourism and
Global HealthCare Congress will be the perfect networking
platform to meet with insurance companies, employers,
governments, medical tourism facilitators, medical tourism
companies and other key players from across the world in order
to learn strategies on how to attract domestic and international
patients.
As a result of a growing number of patients that are
traveling overseas looking for quality of healthcare, the
Hospitality Industry is also growing faster. Research suggests
that patients traveling overseas travel with a companion; and,
they usually spend as much as five times more than a regular
patient. This has opened valuable new business opportunities
for hotels, resorts and spas which offer the perfect environment
for rehabilitation and relaxation after a surgery or other
treatments. The Congress will facilitate the connection with
buyers of healthcare and hospitality providers in order to
develop new business relationships and long term partnerships.
The Power of Networking
Networking is much more than shaking hands, introducing
yourself and talking about your business or organization. It is a
people business. It’s about establishing long term relationships
looking for ideas that can bring people together and add value
to all parties involved.
As Thomas Friedman advanced in his book, “The World
is Flat,” there has been a perceptual shift required for
countries, companies and individuals to remain competitive
in a global market where historical and geographical divisions
are becoming increasingly irrelevant. The Internet and social
networking sites have created a global platform for multiple
forms of collaboration.
One of the main advantages of this Congress is the
networking software which is specifically designed for the
attendees to aid in connecting with other participants. The
number of face-to-face meetings that any attendee will be able
to hold in three days of the conference would take years of
traveling to different countries and cities to accomplish. This
tool will allow attendees to pick and choose who they would
like to pre-schedule a meeting with and to create a profile with
photos, bios and organization information. It will also provide
integration with other social networks such as LinkedIn and
Facebook. Lastly, attendees will be able to use the software
through their own iPhone, Blackberry or any other mobile
device as well as to receive on time email notifications for
cancelled or re-scheduled meetings.
The Heart of the Congress
Speakers are the heart of the Congress, bringing with them
extensive knowledge and a vast experience in their respective
fields of expertise. From business professionals to worldwide
recognized doctors including human resource experts, Ministers
of Tourism and Health from different countries as well as
directors of international patient departments, the Congress
will gather an outstanding array of speakers.
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June / July 2011
Honorary Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong, Minister of Medical
Services of Kenya, will speak about the state of healthcare in
Africa. Attendees will be able to receive interesting insight
about one of the growing upcoming largest growth areas of
medical tourism as well as other consumer markets.
Jon Casey, Director of International Benefits of Google,
will present the development and execution of Google’s global
benefits strategy that includes a focus on infrastructure, wellness
and innovation, which will help other companies learn about
global benefits from one of the top Fortune 500 companies.
Innovation and good management are two of the
main ingredients for success in every industry. Bill Rancic,
entrepreneur and winner of the First Apprentice TV show
hosted by Donald Trump, will communicate his vision on how
to succeed in business and in life.
From the T.V. show Dr. 90210, Dr. Robert Rey, a plastic
surgeon who specializes in minimal scar plastic surgery will
share the latest trends in plastic surgery which is one of the
main reasons why patients travel overseas. Dr. Rey’s valuable
experience will attract the interest of doctors and other
healthcare professionals looking for the newest procedures in
the field.
Four Integrated Conferences in one Congress
Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare is a growing
market and a vast industry that involves many players with
specific interest in healthcare. The four integrated conferences
in the congress will cater to the various key players in the
industry.
The 2nd Global Benefits Conference will gather employers,
international insurance companies as well as foreign
governments, consultants, brokers, agents, travel insurers,
air ambulance companies and anyone involved in purchasing
and providing expatriates with health and travel insurance
coverage.
The 2nd Healthcare Development Conference will focus
on the development and design of healthcare projects that are
“green” in response to the increasing concern for sustainability
which has become a priority for many companies who are
dedicated to finding solutions for the sustainability of the
planet.
As the healthcare industry grows, investment in this field
also rises with expectations of high returns for investors. The 1st
Health Investment Conference theme, “Emerging Markets for
Healthcare Investment”, will present international investment
opportunities in the healthcare sector.
Lastly, the 1st Health and Wellness Conference will address
topics including integrative medicine, corporate health and
global spa trends due to the increasing number of people
concerned about improving their overall balance in life through
healthy eating and activities. The conference will also discuss
how wellness programs at the workplace are progressively being
adopted by companies in order to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees as well as reducing healthcare costs.
Partial Integration with the Employer Healthcare Congress
For the first time, the 4th World Medical Tourism and
Global Healthcare Congress will have a partial integration
with the Employer Healthcare Congress. The latter is one of
the largest U.S. health insurance and healthcare congresses in
the country that incorporates four conferences.
The Self Funding Employee Conference will provide an
open forum for employers to present their needs while at the
same time providing the opportunity to connect with TPA’s,
PBM’s, Reinsurers, MGU’s, Brokers, agents and consultants.
As the U.S. health coverage environment evolves, working
Americans are increasingly turning to voluntary employee
benefits to supplement core coverage. Voluntary benefits can
now offer added financial security to employees with no direct
costs incurred by employers. The Voluntary Benefits Conference
is aimed to address these issues and more.
In addition, the Corporate Wellness Conference will address
topics such as corporate wellness programs which encourage
people to take measures to prevent diseases and to adopt
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June / July 2011
lifestyles that are healthier. While some corporations have
started expensive corporate wellness programs, others have
attained savings or increased productivity by just implementing
a few simple initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles. The
Corporate Wellness Conference’s theme “Creating a Healthy
Culture” will focus on the importance of creating a healthy
culture where employees believe in their wellness program and
trust in sharing information with their employers.
Lastly, the National Healthcare Reform Conference
will focus on how U.S. healthcare reform affects buyers and
providers of healthcare. The National Healthcare Reform
Conference will be a fast paced advanced educational and
networking event focused on providing answers and solutions.
The 4th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare
Congress will gather all key industry players in Chicago
with the goal of achieving a worldwide collaboration for the
advancement of global healthcare. n
About the Author
Cristina Cardona is the Global Congress
Manager of the World Medical Tourism
and Global Healthcare Congress. Ms.
Cardona received her Bachelor’s Degree
in Communications from the Universidad
Complutense of Madrid, Spain, and she
is currently working towards her MBA
at Nova Southeastern University. She has a background
in Marketing and Communications having worked in
different industries designing successful marketing and
customer service strategies.
ChICAgO, ILLINOIS USA
OCTOBEr 25Th - 28 Th 2011
Marriott Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
World Medical Tourism
Learn About The Latest
Trends In Medical Tourism
And Network With Key
Industry Professionals
Up To 10,000 Pre-Scheduled Networking Meetings
100+ Speakers • 140+ Exhibitors • 400+ Buyers
Up To 1,500 Attendees From Over 87 Countries
“+” = UP TO
FIvE LEAdINg hEALThCArE CONFErENCES
ONE LOCATION
ONE EXhIBIT hALL 5X ThE TrAFFIC
AN INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
13
June / July 2011
www.MedicalTourismCongress.com
• [email protected]
• 001-561-792-6676
dr. hisham diwani
General Manager
Health Insurance,
Ministry of Health - Syria
Philip Pfrang
Preliminary Featured & Expert Speakers
President
Russian American
Medical Association
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Jacqueline Madrigal
Chris russo
david Jaimovich
Human Resource/
Benefits Manager
President and Chairman
President and Founder
Board American Society
of Travel Agents (ASTA)
Quality Resources Intl.
renee-Marie Stephano,
Esq.
President
Medical Tourism
Association
J. Edson Pontes M.d
Bill ruschhaupt
Senior VP
International Medicine
Chair,
Global Patient Services
Detroit Medical Center
Cleveland Clinic
Mouhanad hammami,
Md
President
National Arab American
Medical Association
Ori Karev
Former CEO
Samer Ellahham,
Md,FACP,FACC,FAhA
President
International Association
of Healthcare Quality
Avi Smith
Benefits Manager
LeAnne Stefl
Senior VP - Director,
Global Client Advocacy
B & H Photo
Willis North America
Stacy dreyfus
Founder
rosanna gomez
Moreno
American Apparel
Orchid Resorts
& Escapes
Karen h. Timmons
Former President and Chief
Executive Officer Joint Commission
International and Joint
Commission Resources
UnitedHealth
International
Former Chief Marketing Officer JCI
dr. B.K. rana
Deputy Director
National Accreditation Board
for Hospitals and Healthcare
Providers (NABH)
Quality Council of India
Colin Rohlfing
Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Sustainable Design Leader
Hellmuth, Obata &
Kassabaum Inc.
CEO
RGM Global
Missy Jarrott
Director of Human
Resources
Chatham Steel
Corporation
Maria Shepherd
Founder
david Collins
Healthcare Division
Sherry Kaufield
Executive Director,
International Services
Joint Commission
International
Tracy J. Mabry
Shady Fawzy Nawar
Middle East Contracting &
TPA Development Manager
dr. Prerna Mona
Khanna
Medical Contributor
Bupa International
FOX Chicago News
Colliers International
Yvonne grassie
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
June / July 2011
Muna Almuallem
Manager of
International Benefits
Mary Kay Inc.
Jack Norton
Human Resources
Manager
Blue Lake Casino
& Hotel
Lead Partner of the Health Care
& Life Sciences Merger
& Acquisitions Transaction
Services Group
14
Yakov Elgudin, Md,
Phd, FACS
Cheryl Matheis
Senior VP of Policy
Strategy & International
Affairs Group
AARP
Data Decision Group
Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Michael Wesclitz
Director, Global Benefits
Christopher Khoury
Advanced Consultant,
Healthcare Practice
dr. Mahesh C. goel
Md, FrCS, MCh, MBA
Philip Morris
International
Gallup
Indiana University
/Mcgol Associates
Bernard Merkel
Simon hudson
Endowed Chair in Tourism
and Economic Development
University of South
Carolina, Columbia
Stuart Brown
Vice President
Multinational Employee
Benefits
Willis
Minister Counselor. Head of
the Food Safety, Health and
Consumer Affairs.
European Union Commission
dr. Tadanori Tomita
Chairman of the Division of
Pediatric Neurosurgery and
the Director of the Falk Brain
Tumor Center
Children’s Memorial Hospital
Claudio Querol
Leader of Smart +
Connected Communities
Latin America
15
Shannon Kraus,
AIA, MBA, AChA
Senior Vice President
HKS, Inc.
dr.ghada M. El ganzouri
Head of Business Development
office and a Board Member
Ganzouri Specialized
Hospital
dr. Saif AlJaibeji, Md,
MBA, MhA, Phd
Cisco
dr. remon Farouk
Abdel-Sayed
Vice President
Egypt In-Touch
Assistance
Ira Coleman
Partner
rolando rodriguez
President and CEO
Scott A. Edelstein
Partner, Washington DC
McDermott Will
& Emery LLP
Jackson Memorial
Foundation
Squire, Sanders
& Dempsey LLP
gail vittori
Co-Director
Center for Maximum
Potential Building
Systems
Patrick doyle
Senior Climate and
Energy Officer
Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB)
david P Kalin Md MPh
Executive Director
International Board of
Medicine and Surgery
(IBMS)
June / July 2011
Medical Director- Care
Management Programs
Green Crescent Insurance
Company - PJSC
2011 Speakers - Continued
Jeff Jensen, AIA
Manuel
gómez-Ortigoza
dr. Tamas varhelyi
CTO
Professor and
General Manager
HKS, Inc.
Grup Pegaso
Compudoc Plc.
dr. Shetty
Heart Surgeon
david J. Bryan, CEBS
Marketing Consultant
Founder of a new
healthcare facility in
the Cayman Islands
Norfolk Mobility
Benefits-MSH Americas
Maureen Kennedyharlan
Peter L. godfrey
FIA, EA
Director, Global Benefits
Actuary and Principal
Aon Hewitt
Principal and
Senior Vice President
Joy Global
vladimir Budiansky
James Woomer,
MSN, CrNA
President and CEO
Advanced Practice
Nurse International
Medical Director
Moscow Doctor
Phil Borden, CEBS
US Compliance &
Kohler Co.
Linda Brodsky, Md
Founder
Expediting the Inevitable
Internationally-renowned pediatric
otolaryngologist
John O’donnell,
drPh, MSN, CrNA
Associate Director for Nursing Simulation
The Peter M. Winter Institute
for Simulation, Education, and
Research
Check our website for regular updates
Medical Tourism Experts & Buyers
of healthcare Meet in ChicagoLand!
The 4th Annual World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress is moving fast forward
with registration already up by 200% at this time compared to last year’s Congress. The theme
“Patient in Emerging Markets” will focus on some of the upcoming largest growth areas of
Medical Tourism in Russia, Ukraine, CIS Countries, China, Japan, the Middle East, GCC regions
and Africa. The conference will have a strong focus on attracting buyers of healthcare in these
emerging regions.
CONgrESS TrACKS:
1 Medical Tourism
2 Inbound and domestic Medical Tourism
3 healthcare development / Sustainability
4 Global Benefits / Expatriate Benefits
5 healthcare Investement
6 health & Wellness
New and Improved
Interactive Networking Software.
Request dozens of private one-on-one networking meetings
while at the conference. In three days you can network with
health insurance companies, employers, medical tourism
facilitators, governments and top hospitals and healthcare
providers from around the world.
New to this year’s conference, will be a chance to network with participants from the Employer Healthcare
Congress, one of the US’s largest employer and insurance healthcare conferences.
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June / July 2011
www.MedicalTourismCongress.com
• [email protected]
• 001-561-792-6676
MEDICAL TOURISM
Food Service:
Meet your
New
Patron,
the Medical Traveler
By DAN CORMANY AND
MIRANDA KITTERLIN
The boom in medical tourism has increased the need for hospitality staff training and education. The foodservice facet is
no exception. While restaurants and hotel food and beverage operations are already seeing the demand for healthy menu
options and safer food handling practices, the medical tourist segment could quite literally make these compliances a
matter of “life and death.”
KNOWLEDGE OF RESTRICTED DIETS
A key consideration when serving the medical tourist will
include knowledge of restricted diets and ingredient effects. A
pinch of salt or a dollop of butter may appeal to restaurant
patrons, but it will certainly conflict with the recommendations
of some recovery plans. Food preparation in the traditional
food outlet is done in one of two ways: innovatively following
one’s instincts and skills for creating what tastes good, or
alternatively, following explicit instructions.
The menu
and recipe decision maker in a property serving the medical
tourist will require in-depth knowledge of restrictive diets and
dietary health considerations, as well as an understanding of
how ingredients affect the body (i.e. Bouillon cubes equal
sodium equals a no-no for those suffering from congestive
heart failure or kidney disease). Operations will also want to
take into account ingredients that can cause minor, but equally
uncomfortable complications, such as those with high amounts
of chemical additives, sugar, salt, and fat. It will be important
to have access to a dietitian regularly for consultation.
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June / July 2011
Staff responsible for simply following food preparation
directions will also benefit from knowledge of such dietary
restrictions. To these chefs it must be explained that necessity
of avoiding “creative freedom” or being careless in food
preparation when serving this new segment of the traveling
public. Chefs frequently enjoy exercising some creativity, so it
will be important that they understand the reasons behind such
insistence of sticking to a recipe.
Knowledge and expression of the severity of consequences
may increase awareness and responsibility in all levels of the
foodservice establishment. For example, any employee who
understands that the germs on their hands can actually kill one
of their guests who may have a weakened immune system is
more likely to wash and sanitize as frequently as needed.
Foreseeable areas for additional training will include
preparation and service knowledge, attitudes and practices. A
traditional foodservice outlet may not recognize the dramatic
effects that otherwise acceptable practices can have on at-risk
(or patient) populations.
For example, foods prepared in
advance may contribute to the increased risk of food poisoning,
but it is not uncommon for a restaurant to participate in these
practices on a daily basis. Kitchen staff will routinely cook and
hold partially prepared menu items and ingredients. Everyday
tasks such as utensil storage will require a greater attention to
detail in an aftercare setting, so as to maintain the utmost of
sanitary conditions.
Dietary considerations need not only by focused on foods
that are not recommended for a recovering patient, but also
on items that may be recommended to aid in healing. Menu
items that are low in salt, sugar, fat, and chemical additives
will prevent uncomfortable complications, such as bloating or
constipation. Ingredients with high fiber, nutrient and vitamin
contents may play a role in expedited recovery, and whole
foods should take precedent over processed foods (i.e. baked
potatoes versus French fries, whole grain breads versus refined
white breads, and fresh fruit and vegetables versus canned,
sugary or sodium laden versions). Other menu considerations
should include lean protein offerings, which could come from
lean poultry cuts, nuts, beans, or protein powder supplements
– a stark contradiction to the ever-present cheeseburger. All
operations should consider offering a “smoothie” like item on
their menus, as it is an ideal approach for supplements, and is
often a desired option for those suffering from a decrease in
appetite or painful intake or digestion side effects.
The ways that food is procured,
stored and prepared play a critical
role in preventing foodborne illness.
This is not just a kitchen concern. The preparers of the
menus and the servers must also be educated on the needs this
new clientele poses. In restaurants and hotel facilities serving
many medical travelers, special menus or specially identified
portions of the regular menu may help guide the guest to
those items most appropriate. If a destination is serving a
specific sort of medical traveler, such as India’s emphasis on
cardiovascular patients, the wait staff may be trained in the
special needs of such recovering guests. Verification that
menus have been checked and confirmed by dietician experts
will provide peace of mind for the medical traveler in assuring
their diet is appropriate, and also assist servers in guiding not
only the traveler to appropriate menu offerings.
FOOD SAFETY
In addition to dietary considerations, operations serving
the medical tourist population will require an increased focus
on food safety. Foodborne illness and insufficient food safety
practices continue to remain a significant problem in the
foodservice industry. In the United States alone it is estimated
that 1 in 6 (48 million) individuals become ill from foodborne
illness, causing 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths
annually. At risk populations, such as recovering patients,
are at a significantly increased risk for severe outcomes in the
event of a foodborne disease. While death may be an extreme
outcome of unsafe foodborne disease and unsafe food handling,
symptoms such as abdominal cramping, fever, diarrhea and
dehydration are very common, and can cause not only patient
discomfort, but damage to stitches and a critical weakening of
the immune system.
As described by the Department of Health and Human
Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foodborne
disease is caused by consuming food or beverage that has
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June / July 2011
been contaminated by disease-causing pathogens, poisonous
chemicals, or other harmful substances. There are more than
250 food borne diseases, thus there is no “one syndrome”
associated with foodborne illness.
However, the initial
(and most frequent) symptoms include abdominal cramping,
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The most common diseasecausing pathogens are Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli and
Calicivirus (or Norwalk-like virus).
Campylobacter is responsible for the most food-related cases
of diarrhea in the world, and is primarily contracted by eating
undercooked chicken or foods that have come into contact with
raw chicken; this often occurs from cross-contamination due to
inadequate or infrequent hand washing or insufficient cleaning
and sanitization. Salmonella and E. coli have gained a great
deal of recognition due to the media’s coverage of foodborne
illness outbreaks, and both can cause severe complications and
life-threatening infections. Norwalk-like virus, or Calicivirus,
is an extremely common occurrence, yet is rarely diagnosed,
as the laboratory test is not widely available, and it usually
resolves itself within two days. This illness is characterized by
acute gastrointestinal illness, and is typically spread by infected
food preparers’ interaction with ingredients and utensils.
The ways that food is procured, stored and prepared
play a critical role in preventing foodborne illness. Facilities
will need to take great care to ensure that ingredients have
been purchased from reputable and “safe” suppliers. Proper
cleaning, refrigeration, freezing, thawing, cooking, storage, and
handling of food, as well as frequent cleaning and sanitizing
work stations, equipment, utensils, and hands remain critical to
safe food preparation and consumption. Granted, restaurant
and hotel foodservice employees are typically required to have
some training in proper food handling, but many practices and
precautions may not be taken as seriously in the typical kitchen
as compared to a hospital foodservice facility. Properties
serving the medical tourist will need to ensure that its staff
are trained and held to the utmost standards of food safety
practices.
The types of food most often associated with foodborne
illness are raw meat, poultry, eggs, and shellfish. Foods that
combine the products of more than one animal are also a
risk, such as ground meat, milk, and eggs: a carton of eggs
can contain eggs from a dozen different chickens, making it
statistically more likely for the unit to contain ingredients from
a contaminated bird. Using the same analogy, one hamburger
or one glass of milk may contain products from hundreds of
different cows. Nonetheless, bulk products play an essential
role in commercial foodservice, and will not be replaced –
but foodservice outlets can direct more attention to these
ingredients with the knowledge of the increased risk they pose.
Additionally, improper washing of raw fruits and vegetables
can cause illness, a step that sometimes receives less recognition,
as raw meat products are seen as far more of a threat than
other food items. Such washing may, in itself, be a problem in
areas with limited potable water, so some menu items offered
medical travelers may need to be restricted not because of their
inherent problematic nature, but because there is not a way of
preparing them that does not expose the traveler to potentially
contaminated water. In some countries, the average traveler
has been warned for years to avoid fruits that cannot be peeled,
or lettuce that may have been washed in questionable water.
For the medical traveler, an extension of this precaution seems
prudent.
Dietary considerations need not
only by focused on foods that are
not recommended for a recovering
patient, but also on items that may
be recommended to aid in healing.
Restaurants offering to collaborate with hospitals seeking
medical tourists may usually count on a positive response from
such facilities; the international patient offices will appreciate
dining facilities which demonstrate such proactive care for
their medical guests. Equally important is having menus in
the language of the traveler, so they may have a degree of
certainty that what they are ordering is in keeping with their
recommended diet. In some countries, where the usual diet
may be quite different from that of the traveler’s native land,
explanation of menu content will also help reassure the traveler
that the items are not only on their diet, but something they
are comfortable in consuming – no small step toward peace
of mind for the medical tourist already under the emotional
stress of traveling for medical procedures. Something as simple
of a photocopied sheet, available upon request, detailing
content and describing local ingredients, can be a significant
reassurance to someone in recovery.
Are these additional costs worthwhile for the restaurant?
Each will need to judge for itself, but if a medical traveler finds
a restaurant at which he or she feels comfortable at which to
dine, given that recovery time in the country after an operation
may be up to two to four weeks, the loyalty of that customer
and their family during the recovery process may lead to
repeated patronage. n
About the Authors
Dan Cormany is a Visiting Assistant
Professor at the School of Hospitality
and Tourism Management at Florida
International University and is finishing
up his doctoral dissertation on medical
tourism. He has a Master of Science in
Hotel Administration from the University
of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of
Arts in Higher Education Administration
from Bowling Green State University. He has also studied
at the University of Hawaii and University of South
Florida, and has a Bachelors degree in communication
from the University of Akron. He may be contacted at
[email protected]
Miranda Kitterlin is an Assistant Professor
in the School of Hospitality, Sport and
Recreation Management at James Madison
University.
She received her doctoral
degree in Hospitality Administration from
the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
with an emphasis in Food and Beverage
Management. Prior to beginning a career
in academia, she worked for 11 years in
the restaurant industry. Miranda holds a Master of Human
Resources Management and a Bachelor of Science in
Hospitality Management from the University of Louisiana,
Lafayette with a concentration in dietetics.
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June / July 2011
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June / July 2011
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June / July 2011
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June / July 2011
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June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
Your Employees Will Be
Global Healthcare
Consumers —
Are You Prepared to
Communicate with Them?
By SHAWN CONNORS
A “perfect storm” of trends occurred about 10 years ago in the music industry, and it changed the landscape of that business
forever. A fresh wave of consumers suddenly had a new host of Internet tools and a profound sense of empowerment.
The conventional method of buying music would soon be history. Get ready, because a similar storm is brewing in the
healthcare industry, and an important disruption is about to occur to the conventional system of wellness communication.
IMPORTANT TRENDS ARE AT WORK
These powerful fronts are colliding:
• Fast, self-help access to healthcare sources and data.
Healthcare consumers arm themselves with information
by simply using their fingertips. Credible Internet
sources abound, and today’s patients can quickly scan
reports, share links, ask questions and post comments.
• Rising healthcare costs, coupled with anxiety about
money issues. Apprehension and hypertension persist.
The recession might be over, but widespread worry
about medical (and other) expenses remains. Many
employees are largely covered under their current
insurance plans for a variety of medical issues, and
some folks also feel confident that they have funds in
reserve, but now more than ever, they occupy a global
buyer’s market. Healthcare consumers, like savvy retail
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June / July 2011
shoppers, are price-conscious and determined to locate
maximum overall value.
• Confusion about the future of the U.S. healthcare
industry. Are your employees confident that they’ll
qualify for a heart surgery or another major procedure
in a few years? The more confusing the U.S. healthcare
system gets — and the more bickering that persists over
upcoming laws and regulations — the more consumers
The simple truth: Individuals will
choose to travel for care when the care
is of higher quality, more affordable
and/or or more easily available than
what they can receive at home.
will seek alternative options for care. In general, we
don’t like waiting around, especially in order to be told
what to do.
PATIENTS ARE REALIZING THEIR POWER
The combination of these powerful trends will generate
at least one important outcome: More of your employees are
going to become global patients.
“Medical tourism,” the practice of traveling to receive
medical, dental or surgical care, isn’t new, but it’s changing.
U.S. residents have long been traveling to other countries for
care, particularly for cosmetic surgery, dental work, procedures
not covered by insurance and procedures not yet approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Today,
however, many “medical tourists” are fully insured employees
seeking all kinds of care—cardiology procedures, orthopedic
surgery, spinal fusions, cancer treatments, bariatric surgery,
fertility treatments, eye surgery and many more.
The more confusing the U.S.
healthcare system gets — and the
more bickering that persists over
upcoming laws and regulations
— the more consumers will seek
alternative options for care.
The biggest attraction for medical tourists is no secret —
cost savings that are often huge. A heart-valve replacement
priced at $200,000 or more in an American hospital can cost
$10,000 in India, according to the University of Delaware,
and that price includes airfare and a post-operative vacation
package. Medical tourists receiving care in Thailand save about
70 percent on average, and ones traveling to Latin America
typically save at least 50 percent, according to the Medical
Tourism Association.
The simple truth: Individuals will choose to travel for care
when the care is of higher quality, more affordable and/or or
more easily available than what they can receive at home.
“Many people believe markets perform better than
governments in allocating resources, and are much faster to
respond to the demands of consumers,” says Fred Hansen, a
physician and journalist. “Patients are realizing that the power
of the consumer vote, exercised many times every day on
choices in different markets. The Internet and cheap airfares
have greatly increased consumers’ opportunities and choices by
creating new consumer-driven markets.”
In hopes of securing a piece of that market, several
countries, especially India, Singapore and Thailand offer stateof-the-art facilities that specifically cater to medical tourists.
These facilities have advanced technologies and equipment,
and often employ physicians trained and board-certified in the
United States.
EMPLOYERS AND BENEFIT FIRMS ARE RESPONDING
More employers and employees are giving medical tourism
options serious consideration. A June 2010 survey conducted
by the Medical Tourism Association at a Society for Human
Resource Management (SHRM) conference found that 48%
of the employers surveyed are “interested” in offering medical
tourism to their employers on a voluntary basis, with 36%
indicating they “might be interested.”
25
June / July 2011
Experts say the medical tourism industry could turn a
corner if enough U.S. employers and insurers actively promote
and underwrite it. Medical tourism is now being considered by
industry giants like CIGNA, Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield,
all of whom say they have either started or will soon start pilot
programs that will offer partial travel medical insurance.
Other insurers have already launched pilot programs:
• Wellpoint began offering a pilot program with Serigraph
Inc., a Wisconsin-based printing company. Under
the program, members of Serigraph’s health plan can
elect to travel to India to undergo certain procedures,
including major joint replacement and upper and lower
back fusion, and pay lower out-of-pocket costs.
• IDMI Systems Inc., a Georgia-based automation
software developer, contracted with Companion Global
Healthcare to provide medical tourism options for
certain medical procedures to employees and dependents
covered by the company’s self-funded health plan.
DISRUPTIONS ARE COMING
We believe more companies will realize the credibility and
viability of medical tourism, and will begin offering options for
employees. Also, companies with self-funded plans will begin
incentivizing employees to travel abroad for care.
The coming rise in medical tourism will be disruptive to the
conventional healthcare system in profound ways:
• It will reduce the power of coalitions’ purchasing power
when they approach healthcare providers.
• It will lead to new “centers of excellence” located across
the world. Latin America is already becoming one
for dental work, and India is becoming one for heart
surgery.
• It will showcase the fact that employers aren’t going to
give up their rights to affordable healthcare in an open,
global economy.
ARE YOU PREPARING?
Are medical tourism options right for your employees?
You need to take into consideration several different factors,
including current health plan choices, employee demographics,
risk associated with receiving care abroad and the medical
tourism benefit options offered by insurers.
No matter what you think of medical tourism, it’s wise to
prepare your communication. If you choose to help employees
seek overseas care, what messages and education materials can
you offer so they can gain a clearer understanding of medical
tourism’s advantages? Providing and promoting these materials
will help them decide whether medical tourism is right for them.
If you choose to not help employees seek overseas care,
how will you communicate that decision and defend your
reasoning?
Here are the two most common questions employees have
about medical tourism, and perspective you can share:
• Why don’t more insurers offer medical tourism
options? Insurers want to take reasonable measures
that providers overseas have the credentials to provide
adequate care. They’re also concerned with continuity
of care — for example, how much are they willing to
cover for physical therapy back in the U.S.?
• Do treatments take place in low-quality facilities? Not
usually. Medical tourists can find facilities abroad that are
as good as ones in the U.S. About 220 overseas hospitals
are certified by Joint Commission International, and
most doctors who treat medical tourists have trained in
the United States, Australia, Canada or Europe.
In addition to answering employees’ questions, here is news
to keep in mind when considering (or implementing) a medical
tourism benefit option:
• New medical tourism guidelines have been created. U.S.
organizations have begun to establish medical tourism
guidelines and programs to assist people in choosing
appropriate healthcare for their needs. Employers
should ensure employees have a wide range of materials
available to them to help them decide which route
to care is appropriate. These resources include new
medical tourism guidelines from the American Medical
Association that the organizations says employers,
insurance companies and other entities that facilitate
or incentivize medical tourism should adhere to. The
guidelines suggest that patients should be referred only
to facilities that have been accredited by recognized
international accrediting bodies, such as the Joint
Commission International or the International Society
for Quality in Health Care.
• The Medical Tourism Association recently launched
its Quality of Care Project. The project focuses on
enhancing transparency of the quality of care worldwide
so that employers, patients and insurers can better assess
and compare facilities around the world. The project
aims to create a single methodology for reporting certain
statistics and quality indicators, so that individuals and
companies can compare health care facilities’ quality,
costs, patient volumes and patient safety records. n
About the Author
Shawn M. Connors is president of Hope
Health. He believes behavior change
requires a mix of both art and science.
He founded the International Health
Awareness Center, Inc. (IHAC) in
1981, ch focuses on the importance of
communication in positively affecting
workplace
cultures.
Recently,
he
worked with a talented team to develop
a workable, realistic health communication system,
empowering thousands of workplaces and community-based
clients to communicate more effectively with new media.
Shawn has earned the respect of marketing professionals and
health educators alike.
About Hope Health
Hope Health, based in Kalamazoo, MI, is an experienced,
multimedia content provider offering new perspectives in
wellness and benefit communications to workplaces and
community organizations. Website: www.hopehealth.com
Your Premium Wellness & Health Specialists
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email
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/ July
2011
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27
June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
Rob a Bank
for HealthcareThe Only Option in 2011?
By JONATHAN EDELHEIT
This indeed did seem like the only option for Richard James Verone, a 59-year-old from North Carolina, who robbed a bank
on June 9, 2011 claiming this was the only way for him to get coverage; because they have to provide healthcare in prison.
V
erone handed a note to the teller claiming he had
a gun, and demanded $1 US dollar. After she gave
it to him, he sat in the bank’s lobby waiting for the
police to arrest him. He asked only for one dollar so that it
would be clear his motive was not to rob the bank, but get
arrested to receive care. He has no job, two ruptured disks and
a growth on his chest. He hoped he would be sent away to
prison for three years and that would allow him time to get all
the medical care he needed to be healed. Verone told reporters,
“If it is called manipulation, then out of necessity because I
need medical care, I guess I am manipulating the courts to get
medical care.” Unfortunately for Richard, it is estimated he
will only get sentenced to 12 months in prison, and may not
get all the medical treatment he intended to.
I think as individuals, many of us who are involved in
the healthcare and health insurance industry forget about the
people who don’t have or can’t afford health insurance. We
forget to put ourselves in their shoes, to feel their fears, pain
and desperation. We are removed by it all, because while it is
an emotional topic, we have health coverage, we may not be
happy with it, it may be expensive, but we have it.
It’s not a healthcare crisis; it’s a healthcare disaster. It’s
not getting better, it is only getting worse, and the passage of
healthcare reform legislation will just continue to degrade it, as
costs are increasing.
Is this what America has come to? People committing
crimes so they can get free medical care from the state while
28
June / July 2011
in prison? There are more and more Americans like Richard
who don’t have jobs, and in the future small employers may be
forced to lay off more employees because of rising healthcare
costs. Many small employers are getting renewals on their
group health insurance as high as 40%. That’s crazy! What
happened to the promises of lower costs under healthcare
reform? People are starting to finally realize, that’s all it was,
promises, and we need real healthcare reform and soon. n
About the Author
Jonathan Edelheit is CEO of the Medical
Tourism Association™ and Associate
Editor of the Medical Tourism Magazine.
With a long history in the U.S. health
insurance industry, including running a
national healthcare administrator, Mr.
Edelheit was the first person in the U.S.
to implement medical tourism into health
insurance plans. Mr. Edelheit is also editor of several leading
U.S. health insurance magazines and organizes one of the
largest U.S. healthcare conferences in the U.S. for employers
and health insurance companies, the Employer Healthcare
Congress. Ms. Edelheit is the co-author of “Medical
Tourism: An International Healthcare Guide for Insurers,
Employers and Governments.”Mr. Edelheit can be reached
at [email protected].
29
June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical Tourism ~
An Engine to Growth
in the Consumption
of Medical Equipment
By ADALTO FELIX DE GODOI
In many countries medical tourism has been a model of economic activity with a significant growth in recent years.
This is particularly the case in Asia and Latin America, both emerging as major players in this market. Countries like
Thailand, India, Costa Rica, Brazil and Mexico are becoming quite competitive as destinations for medical tourism,
exceeding international benchmarks established from most developed countries.
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CRISIS ~
PRO’S & CON’S
Some of these countries have been treating patients
worldwide for decades. Combining the experience gained with
existing technology, increased knowledge and participation in
international medicine; this has influenced the consumption
of medical equipment and is currently becoming an engine for
growth in the healthcare industry.
The international macroeconomic climate and unfavorable
scenery in many developed countries in recent years has helped
some emerging countries take advantage of the deterioration of
strong currencies such as the dollar and euro, to import medical
equipment at a lower cost, in comparison to years prior to the
international crisis.
Conversely, the currency of some countries such as Brazil
actually appreciated, making it far more cost effective to
import high-cost equipment in segments such as the healthcare
30
June / July 2011
industry. Though much of the equipment is aimed at the private
healthcare sector, and consequently also utilized as a valuable
marketing tool to engage and attract international patients with
the “state-of-the-art”, “cutting edge technology”; the reality is
that the benefits of such innovations trickle down to the local
population by stimulating the economy of the destination and
providing local patients with access to treatment options they
may have not had before.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND ~ WHO’S WHO
The worldwide growth of medical tourism can also be
observed by the demand for medical and hospital equipment
for countries in Asia and Latin America. There are currently
about 12,000 companies worldwide that produce and sell
The reality is that the benefits of
such innovation trickle down to
the local population…
medical and hospital equipment generating revenues exceeding
$50 billion USD, among which are well-known companies
such as GE Medical Systems, Varian, Siemens Healthcare,
Hill-Rom among other regional and national firms whose
sales increased significantly in recent years. It is observed that
countries working with medical tourism are some of the major
buyers of medical equipment; a better healthcare infrastructure
creates trust and attracts highly qualified demand, able to
pay a premium price to have a top quality service. The same
equipment used for an inhabitant serves the overseas patient as
a sales strategy.
Among the countries that consumed more medical and
hospital equipment in recent years are countries embracing
medical tourism as occurring in Latin America, for example,
Brazil with a 25% growth in 2008 and importing about 34.28%
of the region amount. The demand comes to be higher than
in richer countries that do not necessarily have the equipment
they sell in the same proportion of the countries, which are the
“buyers”. The sale of the equipment in the U.S. between 2003
and 2007 was greater for countries involved in medical tourism
than highly developed countries like Canada, Japan, Germany,
Belgium, Switzerland and others in an average ratio of 10.1%
more. Contributing to the expansion of the healthcare sector in
the region and acting as an engine to the international economy
importing equipment of high value-added from the country’s
most affected by the crisis.
Companies worldwide that produce
and sell medical and hospital
equipment are generating revenues
exceeding $50 billion USD.
The largest importers of medical equipment in Latin
America are Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela, which in
2008 accounted for 75.05% of the Latin American market
share. Other countries consume at a slower pace as Bolivia,
Paraguay and Uruguay. Obviously it’s impossible to state that
just possessing advanced medical equipment increases the
confidence of patients seeking medical treatment abroad, but
the high technology in an existing healthcare facility helps
promote and attract more patients instilling confidence in the
healthcare facility. The graphic below shows the Latin America
participation in the region with the consumption of medical
equipment in the diagnostic imaging segment.
Percentage of medical equipment imported in 2008
by countries in Latin America
Each country usually imports the equipments, which reflect
their areas of expertise or specific needs for its healthcare
system, renewing or increasing the public and private healthcare
technology. The table below shows the proportion of most
imported equipments in three of the main importer countries.
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June / July 2011
Country
Brazil
Venezuela
Mexico
Equipments
Percentage
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
32.7%
CT
26.0%
Echocardiography-Doppler
24.7%
37.3%
Gamma Cameras
25.9%
Mammography, Angiography
and Densitometry
15.6%
Radiological screens, parts,
accessories, X-ray
27.8%
25.6%
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
18.6%
According to ABIMED (Brazilian Association of equipment
and products importers, medical and hospital suppliers) in the
first quarter of 2010 the industry of materials, equipments,
medicines and diagnostics generated 2,100 new jobs over the
stock of labor in 2009. The Department of Labor also reported
that the level of employment, taking into account the sum of
the activities of the industry was 6.9% higher than the same
period in March 2009. The acquisition of new equipments also
resulted in hiring more skilled labor.
Another interesting find is the growth of total pharmaceutical
sales in the last five years, and despite the international crisis
they will probably grow in three of the five regions studied,
including Latin America.
Region
2003 a 2008
2008 a 2013
North America
Europe
Asia, Africa & Australia
Japan
Latin America
5.7%
2%
6.4%
6%
13.7%
14%
2.7%
4%
12.7%
14%
Medical tourism is experiencing a rapid growth worldwide,
especially in countries within Asia and Latin America. Despite
the international economic crisis, which affected many highly
developed countries; they became important destinations for
medical tourism attracting important part of the international
demand and becoming world renowned in several medical
specialties. With a comprehensive and advanced healthcare
system and infrastructures, several countries in Asia and Latin
America have also become accredited by international bodies,
such as Joint Commission International (JCI) having the same
quality level the best hospitals in the most advanced countries
have, attracting skilled labor and consuming more high-tech and
medical equipment than many others advanced countries. n
About the Author
Adalto Felix de Godoi is a specialist in Strategic People
Management and holds an Executive MBA in Strategic
Business Management. He is also a healthcare consultant,
teacher and author of several articles and books in the
healthcare industry with over 22 years of experience.
32
June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical Tourism Q&A
from New MTA Member:
Sanivisit
International Travel for
Medical Purposes ~
A Growing Option in
Finding Value in Healthcare
Sanivisit is a Company dedicated to the facilitation of Medical Tourism, and is located in Reston, Virginia, USA. Sanivisit
provides a complete VIP service; helping the patient schedule a travel itinerary and coordinating all logistical details associated
with the medical procedure and vacation. Sanivisit has partnered with Clinica Colsanitas S.A., a premier medical provider
based in Colombia, and one of the top healthcare organizations in Latin America.
Q: Tell us how you define Medical Tourism.
Q: How much can one save by going this route?
A: Medical Tourism takes place when people who reside in
one country travel to another to receive medical, dental and/or
surgical care, and are inclined to travel to obtain their perceived
value. That value includes faster access to treatment, a higher
level of quality health care, advanced research and technology
or a value in cost.
A: The Journal of Financial Planning estimates that savings
may range from 50 to 95 percent of the U.S. cost. Even factoring
in the cost of airfare, hotel, rehabilitation and follow-up, local
taxes and other incidentals, the cost reductions are substantial.
One should ask a trusted Medical Tourism facilitator or an
internationally recognized hospital for a breakdown of its
quote before proceeding.
Q: How many Americans are traveling to obtain health care
abroad?
A: Numbers are hard to come by, but according to some
estimates, no less than 500,000 Americans go abroad each year
to get advanced medical care from more affordable hospitals
and clinics in countries like Colombia, India or Thailand.
33
June / July 2011
Q: What precautions should a patient take before embarking
in such a trip?
A: A few recommendations include checking to see if there
are patient testimonials available and if you could perhaps
contact the patient that gave the testimonial as they were
once in your shoes. Also, educate yourself on the licensing
requirements, accreditation and best practices established
by the destination and how the medical professional you are
evaluating measures up.
Q: What are the typical services offered by a medical tourism
facilitator and what value does it bring to the patient?
A: The Medical Tourism Facilitator provides you access
to a selection of medical, ophthalmological and dental
procedures delivered by highly qualified medical professionals
in world-class facilities at international locations. Many offer
customized, VIP services in the packages available. You will
likely be escorted from the moment you arrive at the airport
until you are ready to go home. Facilitators can arrange access
to Private VIP waiting rooms at the hospital, dedicated driver,
concierge services, guided tours and much!
Q: What are the typical services offered by a medical Tourism
Facilitator?
A: At the point of origin you will have a dedicated case
manager appointed to serve as your liaison with your hospital
and your physician of choice as well facilitating communication
between your home physician and your destination physician.
He or she will also be your travel and logistics guide before
you depart.
At the point of origin you will have a
dedicated case manager appointed to
serve as your liaison with your hospital
and your physician of choice as well
facilitating communication between
your home physician and your
destination physician.
With regard to your needs at the point of destination,
the medical tourism facilitator will help you choose the
accommodation that fits your needs and, through a local agent,
assist you to find foreign language interpretation services, if
needed, as well as assist with connectivity, local transportation,
appointment coordination, etc.
Q: Are there any other reasons why people chose an overseas
destination to seek health care?
A: Patients may be inclined to travel to offshore to have
procedures that are not widely available in their own countries.
For example, stem cell therapy for any one of a number of
problems may be unavailable or restricted in industrialized
countries but may be much more available in the medical
tourism marketplace.
Some patients, particularly those
undergoing plastic surgery or seeking fertility treatments,
choose to go to medical tourism destinations because they are
more confident that their privacy and confidentiality will be
protected in that setting.
Q: What’s behind the dramatic cost benefits from obtaining
health care abroad?
A: The primary reason that medical centers in developing
countries are able to provide healthcare services inexpensively
is directly related to the nation’s economic status. Indeed,
the prices charged for medical care in a destination country
generally correlate with that nation’s per capita gross domestic
product, which is a proxy for income levels. Accordingly, the
charges for healthcare services are appropriate for the level
of economic development in which the services are provided.
Low administrative and medical legal expenses for overseas
practitioners also contribute to the affordability of offshore
medical care. n
About the Author
Sanivisit International LLC (http://www.sanivisit.com) is
based in Northern Virginia and may be contacted toll free at
1-877-836-3233
34
June / July 2011
COMMITMENT TO
BUSINESS EDUCATION
OFFICIAL BOOKS
35
June / July 2011 at www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com
Available
MEDICAL TOURISM
Coordinated Care:
What Hospitals around the
Globe Can Learn from the
Experience of U.S. Hospitals
By E.M. WILLIAMS-LOPEZ
Healthcare in the United States, and in many other places around the globe, is living a watershed moment: the advent of
Accountable Healthcare, or pay-for-performance. This trend describes the increase pressure by payers (both governments and
private insurances) for healthcare providers to show better clinical outcomes efficiency and patient satisfaction, proportionally
correlating payments to specific measurements on those fields.
W
ith the increase in consumer and patient
empowerment, and the growth in choices that
patients have for quality healthcare in local,
regional and international markets, patient satisfaction is a
priority for all hospitals, independently of when (and not if),
pay-for-performance will be coming to a particular market.
Clinical Care Service Coordinators will have an important
effect on how institutions prepare for Accountable Healthcare
because they are helping to increase patient satisfaction, and
are also freeing time from nurses so they can spend more time
coordinating the clinical aspects of their visits and therefore
having a more positive clinical impact on the patient.
Meet the Clinical Care Service Coordinators
In the last year, Johns Hopkins has hired over twenty
CCSCs, and the number will be increasing. Each coordinator
36
June / July 2011
is assigned to a nurse unit, or specific floor. Although these
coordinators do not have formal clinical training, they’re
neither nurses nor physicians; their main function is not to be
underestimated.
A CCSC establishes a direct relationship with inpatients and
their family members. They get to know patients and relatives
in a more personal way. Hopefully that emotional rapport
will increase feedback from patients and will give hospitals a
chance to get things right
Coordinated care, a service provided
by patient navigators, resulted into
highly satisfied patients, who, in
turn, became very loyal advocates
for the institution.
They get to know patients and
relatives in a more personal way.
Hopefully that emotional rapport
will increase feedback from patients
and will give hospitals a chance to
get things right.
Around that time, Hopkins started investing heavily in new
units that will serve as change agents in the journey to deliver
world class services. Those units were staffed with patient
coordinators, or navigators, that helped patients coming to
Hopkins from overseas (Johns Hopkins International), or from
out-side the state of Maryland (Hopkins USA).
Contrary to CCSC who are based in one unit or floor,
international and national patient coordinators are a one
call full service, contact person for all aspects of a visit to the
institution.
These units demonstrated that coordinated care has a huge,
measurable impact on patient, physician, and payer satisfaction.
Most importantly, the units became very rapidly not just selfsufficient from a financial perspective, but very lucrative for the
institution, and for the many institutions in the United States
that developed national and international patient programs.
Coordinated care, a service provided by patient navigators,
resulted into highly satisfied patients, who, in turn, became
very loyal advocates for the institution; a de-facto marketing
department that would recommend the institution to friends
and family members around the world. In many instances,
that loyalty turned even into monetary contributions, or
philanthropic gifts, to the development of the not-for-profit
mission of Johns Hopkins.
Hospitals around the globe interested in the medical travel
segment should carefully look at the lessons learned from the
in-bound medical travel segment in the United States.
Global Centers of Excellence
Leading U.S. Medical Centers are a great case on best
practices when it comes to the coordination of out-of-town
patients. These centers learned very early into their out-oftown growth that non-clinical services are key for a successful
play in the national and international arena.
According to a study published in McKinsey Quarterly in
November of 2007: “More and more patients are likely to base
their choice for hospital on non-clinical aspects of the visit-like
convenience or amenities.”
Why is that?
As quality of care increases in the U.S. and abroad, as
more and more hospitals acquire the stamp of approval of an
international accrediting body, patients take clinical quality for
granted.
CCSCs are highly trained in all aspects of customer
service and patient satisfaction, with a special focus on service
recovery. Service recovery is the strategy that allows hospital
employees to turn a bad situation into a positive experience
for our patients and their families. Service recovery is the best
training that we can give to all our staff members, it should be
mandatory, because it offers our troops the empowerment and
skills to be ahead of the curve and prevent any bad situation
from escalating into a full-blown patient complain.
World-Class Coordinators
Years ago at Hopkins, the buzz word was “Service
Excellence”. The institution had come to the realization that
the service was not on the same level as the science. Many of the
leaders and employees felt that it had fell into the narcissistic
trap of treating patients as “you’re lucky we’re saving your
life”. Things had to change, especially if the institution wanted
to become a national and international destination for patients.
37
June / July 2011
On top of that, for most of us, the clinical aspects of the
encounter are a mystery. Our first impression about the quality
of a physician, a nurse, or a whole hospital, is not based on
medical aspects of the encounter. Rather, our first and lasting
impressions of a hospital are based, research shows, on “how
well staff communicated with me”, or “the overall cheerfulness
of the institution”, or “how quickly my concerns were
addressed.”
Coordinated care is especially important for out-of-town
patients. We need to offer patients traveling from other
locations a complete experience that will include all aspects of
service before, during and after their appointments and visits
to our hospitals.
Proper continuity of care continues to be the thorn in the
side of the international medical travel industry. It threatens
the credibility of our whole industry and, most importantly, the
safety of our patients.
To secure the proper continuity of care, many U.S. medical
centers also employ one or two full time case managers, or
clinical nurses who interact with clinical and non-clinical
personnel to secure the proper continuity of care.
Still the larger piece of investment will have to be on
navigators and non-clinical coordinators.
Hospitals will have to invest on those coordinators, our
human capital, to secure the proper training and to make
sure that those coordinators are happy and well engaged in
their role. It has been demonstrated, over and over again, that
without satisfied employees we can’t have satisfied patients.
More and more patients are likely
to base their choice for hospital on
non-clinical aspects of the visit-like
convenience or amenities.
The right processes, implemented by the right people will
have to be supported by some simple technology solutions,
tools that will allow the institution to track all aspects of a
patient visits, his or her preferences, and will allow us to follow
up properly and at the right times with the patients (birthdays,
maybe, or time to schedule follow up appointments).
Processes, people and technology, will be the three legged
stool in which we can rest our Customer Relationship
Management (CRM) strategy.
CRM will result in loyal patients, and loyal employees,
which in term will result in increased volumes, from our target
markets, and revenues.
Cultural and Linguistic Services
One of the areas that U.S. centers have excelled at is
cultural and linguistic services. The natural cultural and
38
June / July 2011
linguistic diversity of the United States, has given these centers
a competitive advantage over other locations around the globe.
The need for cultural and linguistic competence is
fundamentally important from our websites and marketing
materials, to our actual in-person services. For example, how
can a hospital outside the U.S. create a sense of quality and
credibility to attract U.S. patients if their communications in
English are not impeccable?
And most importantly, are our physicians and nurses ready
to handle the challenges of taking care of patients from a very
different culture?
Coordinators can also be a cultural broker between
our institution and our patients. Most U.S. centers with
international programs employ native, certified interpreters
that can be assigned to patients from the same country, with
the same languages, and in cases with the same religious
background.
At the end of the day, hospitals will have to invest in human
capital, and culturally competent coordinated care, if they are
serious about becoming an international player. Good pricing
will not suffice to compete in the international arena unless
it comes along with quality. Non-clinical coordination, as we
have seen, is a tool we can use to easily improve the satisfaction
of our patients traveling for healthcare. n
About the Author
E.M. Williams-Lopez is a former Managing
Director and Strategic Advisor for Johns
Hopkins Medicine International. He has
traveled around the globe giving talks and
seminars on patient experience, service
excellence and cultural competency. He
currently works as a consultant helping
hospitals develop and implement strategies
to build up new domestic, regional and international
markets and coordinated patient programs. He can be
reached at [email protected]
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June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
Comfort Zone~
Satisfying
Patient and
Health Provider
Demands
By ADRIAN MYRAM
Medical Tourism is a fast moving and incredibly challenging market place. There are many organizations wishing to jump on the
bandwagon and there are many too who are falling off very quickly! Success requires a thorough understanding of ever changing
patient demands.
T
his is no easy ride but a nail biting rollercoaster that
even the most experienced and seasoned professionals
in our industry struggle with. It is about listening to
what the market is saying, reading the trends and then reacting
and adjusting your strategy to survive.
People entering the business need to be brave and smart.
This market has been compared to the Gold Rush. There are
lots of people falling over themselves to take a piece of the
action with very high and arguably misguided expectations. But
beware the fools’ gold! This is still a very immature emerging
market and has to be treated with respect and patience.
Medical Tourism Comfort Zones
Medical Tourism is a term many use to describe the flow of
patients across international borders. Our definition though
is not so simple and black and white. As an organization
committed to matching patients to healthcare providers around
the world, we have our own insights into the market and what it
represents. We believe Medical Tourism is a concept of patients
travelling outside their neighborhood but fundamentally within
their “Comfort Zone”.
Understanding these ever changing Comfort Zones is
critical to keeping up with the market and delivering an
effective service for patients and healthcare providers. We
recognize that the comfort zones vary for every single patient.
41
June / July 2011
What works for one patient may not for another. Some patients
are frequent travelers and will think nothing of jumping on a
plane and travelling across the world for surgery. Others will
feel completely out of their depth but would be comfortable
travelling within their own country. Comfort Zones are like
ripples. They are stronger near the source and get weaker
and weaker. The further away you travel from your home,
the less likely it is you will be prepared to have surgery there.
Healthcare providers are all pitching for a piece of the market
and if you are trying to reach people on the furthest ripple you
need to recognize that the target market is significantly smaller.
There are often easier pickings nearer to home and there is
still a massive market to explore for Medical Tourism within
countries but these can be busy markets forcing people to push
the boundaries along the ripples. This is a dangerous game
and every provider has to decide which part of the market they
want to operate in whilst recognizing that the market changes
and it can change very quickly!
These Medical Tourism Comfort Zones continually shift and
understanding these shifts and reading what influences them is
important. Take the US market for instance. In recent years we
have seen a general trend that the Comfort Zone for US patients
has shifted. There are still plenty of patients prepared to travel
across continents but it is fair to say that there is a trend in
US patients staying closer to home and travelling only as far as
Latin America or staying within US borders. There are many
reasons for this – more competitive pricing in the US, improved
quality in Latin America hospitals, political unrest elsewhere in
the world or general economic instability to name a few.
But rather than thinking the end is nigh for Medical
Tourism it is simply a case of reading the opportunities. Some
markets may shift in one direction, whether on a temporary
basis or otherwise, but it is likely that opportunities will arise to
compensate. Overall Medical Tourism is undoubtedly a growth
market as a whole but you need to understand each individual
market. The Comfort Zone for some US patients may have
shrunk but Comfort Zones for other patients around the world
are expanding for different reasons. Patients from Africa for
instance are actively seeking to travel for treatment, as the
opportunities may not be available in their own countries. We
have adjusted our marketing not just to target familiar US and
UK patient markets but also to seek out other patient markets
around the world that may be less familiar but are craving to
have access to Medical resources around the world.
Healthcare Provider Evolution
As an organization working with patients from all over
the world and dealing with healthcare providers in over 40
countries we have an enviable position to evaluate the market
place. Healthcare providers have to be very targeted in their
approach and we have seen many multinational facilitators take
radical and necessary steps to change their strategies to react
to the market place. Some have decided to move away from
traditional procedures such as cosmetic surgery and focus in
specialist areas such as stem cell therapies. Others have moved
away from servicing certain geographic regions and grown
their networks closer to home. Others still have moved away
from patients groups recognizing that certain patients are more
difficult to convert than others! As a lead generator servicing
these providers we have worked with healthcare providers to
understand the market place and even in our relatively short
3-year history we have evolved significantly and will continue
to do so.
Reacting to the market place is not just about understanding
where patients are travelling to. It is equally about what they
are prepared to travel for and why. Healthcare providers need
to consider patient behavior as well as competitor behavior.
It is a hugely complex world for those involved in Medical
Tourism. Prices are changing around the world and it is
clear more competitive pricing in the US and UK is having an
impact on patients travelling further afield. It is not changing
the fact that there is a growing Medical Tourism market but
it is changing where patients are travelling to. Quality is also
changing around the world and the improvement in quality
and the work of accreditation and other bodies to promote this
is opening up new markets. The accessibility of new cutting
edge treatments around the world is also an important part in
defining the market. There will always be centers of excellence
whether in the USA or China for example and these will dictate
where patients will be prepared to travel to.
Healthcare providers are finding innovative ways to keep
up with the pace and obtain a competitive advantage. In some
cases doctors themselves are travelling to overseas clinics and
hospitals and operating there to reduce costs for patients.
Many providers are offering consultations for patients in their
home countries to give patients assurances before the travel.
It is also refreshing to experience that the objectives are not
always about making money but also about making affordable
healthcare more accessible around the world. This truly is a
caring profession and Medical Tourism is now even evolving
to doctors travelling to “outreach centers” in Developing
Countries to treat groups of people locally that otherwise
would not have access to their services.
42
June / July 2011
Finding the Balance
We are caught in the sandwich between patients and
providers and simply offer a dating service to match the two.
Success for a lead generation company is about finding that
balance between what patients want and what healthcare
providers want. People want information, they are curious
about the Medical Tourism market and they crave information.
However, this does not mean they are ready to travel and
commit to surgery overseas. Healthcare providers on the other
hand want quality patients who are ready to travel. There is
large area in the middle full of window shoppers! We act as a
filter to separate the wheat from the chaff. We seek to satisfy
the patients’ demand for information and ultimately, when
they are ready we will introduce them to the most appropriate
Healthcare providers that can satisfy their treatment needs.
The accessibility of new cutting
edge treatments around the
world is also an important part in
defining the market.
We are evolving away from patients making comparisons
based purely on price towards providing information to allow
patients to research and make informed decisions about their
medical journey. We recognize that this is a difficult and oftencomplex decision for patients and it is not just about price.
Price is just one factor and patients need information about
quality, waiting times, new treatments and techniques etc.
Patients will only be in a position to make a decision when
they have fully understood all aspects. Travelling abroad for
treatment involves risk and to keep them within their Comfort
Zones they need information to help them manage this risk and
provide the necessary assurances. Only then will they make a
commitment to travel.
Understanding patients and their Comfort Zones is one
thing. This is just the starting point. Attracting the right
patients and giving the healthcare providers the best chances of
converting patients is all part of the challenge... n
About the Author
Adrian Myram is Chief Operating Officer of
AllMedicalTourism.com and qualified as a
Chartered Accountant with KPMG. He has
extensive commercial experience across many
industries including Medical Tourism.
AllMedicalTourism.com is run by a group
of Internet marketing experts.
After a
resounding success in the online travel
industry they have brought the same web
marketing knowhow to the Medical Tourism industry to help
healthcare providers, from hospitals to facilitators, to find the
patients they seek. AllMedicalTourism.com was founded on
a very simple concept: matching patients seeking care with
healthcare providers offering the very services these patients
are seeking. It’s simple, and it’s effective. It has grown into
a truly international operation with an impressive portfolio of
healthcare providers covering a wide range of procedures in over
40 countries and attracting patients from all over the wide.
They use highly targeted marketing techniques and a range of
marketing channels to locate patients who use the internet to
research their healthcare options for specific procedures. These
patients are then matched to appropriate healthcare providers
who can satisfy their needs on a real time basis. To find out more
please visit their website at www.allmedicaltourism.com or join
their patient community by searching for AllMedicalTourism on
facebook.
43
June / July 2011
ChiCago, illinois Usa oCTober 25th - 28th 2011
Buyers of Healthcare
44
June / July 2011
www.MedicalTourismCongress.com • [email protected] • 001-561-792-6676
MEDICAL TOURISM
Current Trends in
Esthetic
Surgery
By JAVIER VERA CUCCHIARO, PATRICIA
VELAZQUEZ, HORACIO LOSTIA, PABLO A
SALVADOR, LUCAS S ROIC, RENÉ A CADILLO
Due to the rise in number of non-invasive and mini-invasive procedures, patients now demand optimal results after lessaggressive, lower-risk, brief-recovery surgeries. Plastic Surgery has evolved in the last decade regarding surgical techniques
and development of new technologies. Reduced-scar, liposuction-combined surgeries, represent now less traumatic
procedures, delivering better results at a deep and superficial level, remodeling neighboring areas at the same time. On
facial surgery, procedures are now combined with synthetic or fatty grafting, botulin toxin application, CO2 or laser
resurfacing, elevation of eyebrow tail with barbed sutures, etc. Prosthetic implants have also evolved in their structure,
variety size and projections. Moreover, new techniques like intimacy surgery have appeared on scene for both genders.
S
election of an optimally capacitated, matriculated
surgeon, well trained on evaluating valid combinations
of technologies and techniques, will influence on
satisfactory outcome with minimal surgical risk.
NON-INVASIVE AND MINI-INVASIVE PROCEDURES
There has been a rise in the number of the non-invasive
and mini-invasive procedures. Fatty and synthetic fillers,
botulin toxin injection, barbed sutures, medical depilation,
radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, are some examples.
With these options available, patient expectations on surgery
have risen. Patients demand optimal results with less-aggressive,
less-traumatic, lower-risk, short-recovery procedures. An
45
June / July 2011
increase in patients’ work-demands, and the amount of patient
information available on the Internet, are also determining
factors. In the last decade, plastic surgery has also evolved to
satisfy those demands. Surgical techniques have evolved at the
time new technology development and evolution has occurred.
Surgeons have to remain objective, with clear medical criteria,
avoiding false promises. In general there has been a rise of
700% on the frequency of non-invasive procedures with only
a 25% rise on esthetic surgery. Other factors also influenced
plastic surgery. Scar location and size on breast and abdominal
surgery have adjusted to cloth size and shape (a difficult
challenge sometimes) in order to render them hidden. Even hair
styling has influenced scar modeling.
MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension (Tonnard
& Verpaele, 2002) is a good example of a technique that
allows younger patients to be treated, with a less aggressive,
more natural result. Barbed Sutures also help to rejuvenate
face and neck on a less aggressive manner. Associations with
fat grafting performed by a specialist, have excellent results.
Other associations can be made to include resurfacing with
CO2 fractional laser on perioral shrinking, botulin toxin for
forehead and periocular shrinks, and elevation of eyebrow tail
with suspensor threads.
In general there has been a rise
of 700% on the frequency of noninvasive procedures with only a 25%
rise on esthetic surgery.
Similar trends are observed with abdominoplasties,
where now a smaller, lower scar, is performed. Correction
of separation of the rectum abdominal muscles should be
considered in every case for good results. The introduction
of Lipoabdominoplasties (Saldanha O., 2001), combining
liposuction with conventional abdominoplasty, made results
on this approach, even more satisfactory lowering risks and
complications at the same time.
Superficial liposuction (Souza Pinto E. 1982), allowed
treatment of the back, arms, internal aspect of thigh and sacral
areas with minimal cutaneous retraction, avoiding the use of
ultrasound or laser technology, although these still remain an
excellent alternative.
Liposuction techniques have also evolved. They are
more selective for fat, less painful and are performed with
reduced blood loss. Thinner cannulas result in smaller scars.
Laser technology allows treating lipodystrophy in a fast, less
aggressive, fast recovering, manner allowing patients to resume
normal activities in shorter times. Attention should be paid not
to treat excessively large areas, or patients with a BMI higher
than 30. Hydro-electrolytic disorders or extensive burning
can occur in such cases. On these patients, laser can still be
46
June / July 2011
used associated to conventional techniques. Wavelength for
laser technology comes now in 980 or 1210 nm on the same
equipment, rendering better treatment of adipose tissue with
optimal cutaneous retraction. All these procedures can be
performed in an ambulatory setting, with 24-48 h. immediate
follow-up.
There has also been a rise in the use of fat grafting. Facial,
gluteal and breast use are excellent examples. The possibility
to combine these with growth factors has optimized the results
and durability of treatments. In some cases, gluteal fat grafting
results are good enough to replace implant placement for the
same area. Associating liposuction of neighboring areas like
hips and waist to gluteal treatment further enhances patient
satisfaction. The term “liposculpture” describes the procedure
that takes place when excess of fatty tissue is removed from
an anatomic location to be immediately placed in another,
thus “sculpturing” human shape. On the contrary, on breast
surgery, implants are still dominating, but fat grafting is an
option to be considered for patients without a familiar history
of breast cancer. Precise and adequate indication, allow the face
to be treated volumetrically with fat grafts, without incisions,
and good results.
All of these techniques have been questioned in the last 20
years. Today nobody has doubts about their value as individual
treatment choices or enhancing others.
Breast implants have improved their design and incorporated
more options, allowing further personalized indications. For an
example, anatomic implants exist in 9 to 12 different shapes
for a given size.
The optimization of surgical techniques, their prudential
combination and the association to low-invasive or noninvasive procedures, have widely favored esthetic results. Is
important to choose a well-trained, matriculated surgeon,
which combines knowledge with good criteria, offers valid
choices, does not create false expectations, and aims for the
lower possible risk treatment. n
For more information, please visit
www.centrocirugiaestetica.com
47
June / July 2011
MEDICAL TOURISM
Effect of
Weight Loss
Surgery
on Metabolic Disorders in
the Obese and Non-Obese
By DR. GABRIEL ROSALES
Over the last 60 years there has been an impressive change in the human environment, behaviors and lifestyle. These
changes have resulted in an increase in both, Type 2 Diabetes and macrovascular disease (heart attack and stroke). These
rises must be attributed to the greater prevalence of obesity and consequent pathophysiologic condition, the so-called
metabolic syndrome.
I
t is estimated that 190 million people worldwide have
diabetes and it is likely that this will increase to 324
million by 2025. This epidemic is taking place both in
developed and developing countries and the combination of
obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome is now recognized
as one of the major threats of human health in the twenty-first
century.
The logic dictates that it will always be easier and costeffective to prevent diseases rather than treating them, even
more so if these diseases are chronic and life threatening such
as in the case of diabetes, high blood pressure and the rest of
the diseases that accompany the metabolic syndrome.
WHAT IS THE METABOLIC SYNDROME?
The International Diabetes Federation has proposed a new
practical definition, which includes the following:
• Central Obesity
• Waist Circumference above 94 cm for males and 80 cm
for females in Caucasians (Europe and North America)
48
June / July 2011
• Plus any two of the following:
• Raised tryglicerides
• Raised HDL-C
• Raised blood pressure
• Raised fasting plasma glucose or previously type 2
diabetes
The prevention, improvement and reversion of type 2
diabetes, high blood pressure and several other diseases
associated with obesity are observed after all the Weight
Loss Procedures. This statement has a scientific proven basis
supported by several well planned studies, in articles such
as Brethauer’s published in 2009 it was shown that Sleeve
It is estimated that 190 million
people worldwide have diabetes and
it is likely that this will increase to
324 million by 2025.
Gastrectomy achieved a very high percentage of remission or
at least a high rate percentage of improvement of this disease
that affects obese patients.
Another study by Himpens in 2007 demonstrated an Excess
Weight Loss percentage of 66 after 3 years in patients who got
the Gastric Sleeve or VSG.
The results and benefits from Weight Loss Surgery on such
diseases have even encouraged some investigators and patients
to enroll on studies that involve Type 2 Diabetes patients with
BMI’s as low as <35!
There are several surgical options that have been developed
through the last five decades, and one of the newest ones and
most promising of these is the Gastric Sleeve. Even if in the
USA the FDA “recently” approved this procedure many other
countries in the world have been performing it for almost a
decade with excellent results.
Up to now, it might seem that
Weight Loss Surgery is or should be
reserved only for severely ill patients
or very obese patients, and this is
very far from the truth.
The Gastric Sleeve or Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)
has the following advantages over other procedures:
• It is a much less invasive bariatric procedure and
therefore has a lower morbidity rate.
• It does not involve the placement of a foreign device as
in the gastric band.
• It does not involve any risky stomach or intestinal rerouting.
• Since there is no re-routing, there is no dumping
syndrome.
• It is the only procedure that involves the removal of the
portion of stomach that produces the hunger hormone
“ghrelin” so it will effectively reduce hunger strikes.
• Fullness and satisfaction is achieved with just small
portions of food.
• It does not limit or restrict the type of food you are able
to eat. You will be able to eat anything, but in small
healthy portions.
• The reduced intake of food because of the restriction
and lack of hunger strikes results in dramatic weight
loss!
• Weight loss won’t be drastic in a very short period of
time, letting your body and skin to more easily adapt to
a constant and healthier weight loss pattern.
• It adjusts to every person’s needs. Even if “adjustments”
are neither possible nor necessary, the sleeve is considered
a “smart” procedure that leads patients close to their
goal weight and just after this, the weight loss stalls.
• Requires no periodic and costly testing and measuring
levels of vitamins, minerals, etc. It is practically
maintenance free.
• No need for uncomfortable preoperative intestinal or
colon cleansing.
49
June / July 2011
According to this article up to now, it might seem that
Weight Loss Surgery is or should be reserved only for severely
ill patients or very obese patients, and this is very far from the
truth, even though a patient for Weight Loss Surgery should
be studied and should comply several criteria in order to be a
real candidate, the benefits from Weight Loss Surgery can be
obtained by many people.
Here are some of the main criteria that a patient would
need to meet in order to be considered a good candidate:
Criteria for laparoscopic weight loss surgery:
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
consensus on gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity, patients
are candidates if they are morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2 or
BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with co-morbidities), have failed attempts at diet
and exercise, are motivated and prepared to make substantial
changes in their eating habits, have no dependency on alcohol
or drugs, well informed, free of significant psychological disease
and have acceptable operative risks.
As mentioned previously, numerous therapeutic approaches
to this problem have been advocated, including low calorie
diets, medication, behavioral modification and exercise therapy.
However, the only treatment proven to be effective in longterm management of morbid obesity is surgical intervention.
Surgically induced weight loss is associated with resolution
or substantial improvement of co-morbid diseases in 75–100%
of patients and reduced mortality compared with medically
treated patients. n
About the Author
Dr. Gabriel Rosales and his team are
highly skilled surgeons, board certified
and in continuous training. They are in
constant pursuit of learning the latest
innovations in minimal invasive surgery
in order to offer patients the best care
possible.
Even though Dr. Rosales likes performing
general surgery procedures, in the last
5 years he has focused mainly on performing weight
loss surgery since these kinds of procedures, specifically
the laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Band have
demonstrated to him that it is possible to offer patients a
life changing experience.
After dedicating most of his practice in recent years to
bariatric surgery, Dr. Rosales has a combined experience
of performing and assisting in more than 1500 bariatric
procedures. Website: www.obesityfree.com
INTEGRATIVE
ALTERNATIVE
HOMEOPATHIC
PREVENTATIVE
M
A
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I
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YOUR GUIDE TO OVERSEAS HEALTH & MEDICAL WELLNESS
Health Tourism Magazine is a bi-monthly on-line publication, 100%
dedicated to the education and raised awareness of health,
wellness, alternative and medical wellness issues.
Visit us at www.HealthTourismMagazine.com and read about:
The World’s Top Destinations for Health & Wellness Tourism, Innovative
Alternative Treatment & Medical Wellness Around the World, Industry
Trends, Preventative Treatment and Health Tourism Events.
Advertise with Us!
Reach thousands of potential clients, employees, industry participants and other important publics.
Generate inquiries and sales leads from healthcare professionals, buyers and sellers.
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June / July 2011
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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE:
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www.WellnessConference.com
MEDICAL TOURISM
Public-Private
Partnerships
for Sustainable Growth
of Medical Tourism
By ANITA MEDHEKAR
Medical tourism is a predominant niche market and of special interest within the tourism segment and the globalized health
care service industry. This industry is being facilitated by the destinations’ government, private corporate sector involved in
the medical-care and the tourism industry.
S
urgery can be added to existing six “Ss” of tourism;
sun, sand, sea, sex, safari and spirituality (Connell
2006). People have been for centuries travelling
for health, healing and wellbeing to the ancient shrines and
temples. Medical tourism is a billion dollar and fastest growing
healthcare service industry worldwide, where patients travel
overseas to other developing or developed countries for the
enhancement or restoration of the individual’s health through
medical intervention (Carrerra & Bridges 2006; Bookman &
Bookman 2007; Herrick 2007; Ramírez de Arellano 2007;
Healy 2009; Hopkins, Labonte, Runnels & Packer 2010).
People are becoming more aware of their health needs
and wellbeing. Today a growing number of medical tourists
from developed countries such as UK, USA, Australia, Canada
and Europe are travelling abroad to developing countries
(MacReady 2007) like India, Poland, Thailand, Mexico,
Costa Rica and Malaysia, with the main objective of obtaining
immediate health care, in terms of diagnostic treatment, noninvasive or invasive surgery combined with a vacation. This
trend is spreading fast due to high insurance and surgical cost,
long waiting lists, and non-availability of certain treatment
51
June / July 2011
due to regulation in developed countries and lack of medical
treatment or facilities in developing poor countries. Thailand,
India, Singapore or Mexico are among preferred options in
terms of a value in cost, little to no waiting period, state-of-theart medical treatment and facilities, qualified surgeons, English
language proficiency, cultural affinity, exotic destinations, and
above all international accreditation of the medical facilities
and highly qualified medical professional doctors, nurses and
hospital management support staff.
Thus growth of the medical tourism phenomenon is based
on two factors: (a) the number of foreign medical tourists
travelling and (b) the amount of revenue they generate in terms
of foreign exchange. Medical tourism can play an important
Medical tourism can play an important
role in improving a country’s balance
of payment position and foreign
exchange reserve position.
role in improving a country’s balance of payment position and
foreign exchange reserve position. Tourism has become one
of the world’s largest service sector industries with enormous
potential for further growth; however, it is sensitive to external
factors, like terrorism, natural disasters, SARS virus and SWINE
flu which can cripple the local economy at destinations in the
developing countries (Medhekar & Haq 2010). According
to Carrerra and Bridges (2006) at the international level, the
health and medical tourism industry including medical tourism
is sustained by 617 million individuals with an annual growth
rate of 3.9% annually and worth US$513 billion.
Medical tourism is an economic activity that involves trade
in services from two distinct sectors of the economy: medicine
and tourism (Bookman & Bookman 2007). According to
Bookman and Bookman (2007), economic impact of medical
tourism in developing countries is significant, as nearly 272,000
medical tourists visited India for complex medical procedures
in 2007, bringing in US$ 656 million in foreign exchange
earnings. Several Asian countries like Thailand, India, Malaysia
and Singapore are dominant, and have sought to enter the
market due to high-tech medical expertise and attractiveness of
these countries (Connell 2006; Horowitz & Rosenweig 2007;
Singh 2008; UNESCAP 2008). The growth of medical tourism
can also be seen as an opportunity for regional innovation,
regeneration, rejuvenation for economic development and
growth in developing countries. Using medical tourism as an
export-led growth strategy, many socio-economic challenges
and problems faced by developing countries can be resolved,
where there is decline in traditional industries.
Medical tourism is a macro-niche
consisting of three main categories
of treatment: non-invasive,
diagnostic and invasive.
This article suggests that public-private partnerships
(PPP) will enhance the competitive advantage of the medical
tourism industry. It will provide viable and alternative
efficient and effective delivery of healthcare and medical
tourism infrastructure facilities and value for money medical
treatment to not only the foreign patients, but also to the local
community, through collaboration and partnerships between
the various key stake holders from the demand (medical
tourists) and the supply side: Public sector (government at all
levels and its departments, Government Business Enterprises),
private hospitals and diagnostic clinics, pharmaceutical local
community, business organizations and international medical
service accrediting bodies, medical educational and research
institutions along with World Medical Tourism Associations,
World Tourism Organization (WTO), World Travel and
Tourism Council (WTTC) and Asia Pacific Tourism Association
(PATA).
MEDICAL TOURISM DEFINED
Carrerra and Bridges (2006) have distinguished, defined
and conceptualized the two terms medical tourism and health
tourism. (Carrerra & Bridges 2006) specified that under
“health tourism, mobility applies to both patients and providers
in recognition of the psychic benefits gained by medical
professionals in participating in medical mission” (p.450).
Health Tourism is defined by Carrerra and Bridges (2006) as
“the organized travel outside one’s local environment for the
maintenance, enhancement or restoration of the individual
wellbeing in mind and body”. A subset of this is medical
tourism. Medical Tourism on the other hand is defined as “the
52
June / July 2011
organized travel outside one’s natural healthcare jurisdiction
for the enhancement or restoration of the individual’s health
through medical intervention” (p.449). Medical Tourism, can
also be defined as “a phenomenon where a patient travels
with or without a companion outside his /her country of
residence, to another country internationally for medical
treatment which could be risky and invasive and involves
complex surgical procedures with the use of highly specialized
medical equipment, technology and experienced surgeons, for
the improvement of overall physical health and quality of life,
combined with a vacation at an exotic destination” (Medhekar
2010, p.10). Medical tourism is a macro-niche consisting of
three main categories of treatment: non-invasive, diagnostic
and invasive. Within these three categories are various microniche specialized treatments and surgeries for example: dental,
eye, cancer, spinal-fusion, cardiac, cosmetic, reproductive and
orthopedic.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (PPP) IN
MEDICAL TOURISM
The Ministry of Public Affairs in British Columbia (1999)
defines PPP in the following terms: Public-Private Partnerships
(PPPs) are arrangements between government and private
sector entities for the purpose of providing investment in public
infrastructure, community facilities and related services. Such
partnerships are characterized by the sharing of investment,
risk, responsibility and reward between the partners (cited in
Schaeffer & Loveridge 2002, p.170). PPP accounts for a very
diverse range of cooperative or collaborative efforts. PPP can
also be defined as cooperation and collaboration between the
public sector enterprise, government (central, state and local),
and the private sector for planning and implementing public and
private sector medical tourism related infrastructure initiatives
such as health, education, transport and communication for
industries success (Medhekar 2005). Partnerships are essential
for planning, implementing and managing federal, state and
local government tourism related infrastructure investment
initiatives for sustainable economic growth and development of
a particular industry in a region. Sustainable PPP in medical and
health tourism involves sharing of responsibilities, planning,
accreditation of medical facilities and qualifications, service
quality, product innovation, promotion, packaging, trade
expos and marketing, undertaking financial risks, insurance,
accountability and implementing various health and medical
tourism packages (Medhekar 2010).
MEDICAL TOURISM
Table 1: Stakeholders in the Medical Tourism Industry
Category
Examples
Resource, Infrastructure owners/
Hospitals
Landholders, hospitals and medical centres, resort owners
(public & private)
Resource, infrastructure managers/
Hospitals,
Hospitals, medical and resort managers (public & private),
Professional medical and non-medical staff, Accrediting bodies
Providers of Medical Tourism related
infrastructure
Hospital construction & design, building, power, gas, water,
waste treatment, road, hospitals infrastructure accommodation,
pharmaceuticals, medical waste management
Planning, development & control
Central, State and Local Government, ministry of foreign affairs
& trade, private sector, Medical tourism associations, NGO,
doctors, nurses, hospital staff, regulatory body, environment
bodies, accrediting bodies- e.g. JCI
Deliverers of medical tourism related
goods and services (supply chain)
Enterprise operators-hotels, airlines, hire cars, attractions,
tour operators, travel agents, convention centres, restaurants,
museums, and tourist events; e.g. trade & tourism fairs, religious
events
Tourism /Medical tourism Destination
developers and marketers, advertisers
Tourism commissions, Federal, State and Local Government,
Private sector, Trade commission, Medical Tourism Associations,
Medical Tour operators, Airlines, hospitality-accommodation,
local transportation.
Employers & Employees
Medical specialist, Doctors, Nurses, Managers, hospitality,
planning , communication, pharmaceutical, ICT, Finance,
Infrastructure Maintenance, Health Insurance
Medical Tourist/ Domestic or
International Patients
Domestic and international- health & medical tourists,
medical package holidays, business travellers, backpackers
visiting friends and relatives, international students, conference
attendees and other tourist (e.g. spiritual, eco-tourists, cultural
& adventure).
Supply Side
Demand Side
Source: Medhekar 2010
The Key stakeholders in tourism management according
to (Weaver & Lawton, 2006) are the host communities and
government, tourism industry, universities and educational
institutions, NGO’s and the tourist (p.3). Cooperation and
collaboration between the key state holders (see Table 1) from
the demand and supply side is essential in case of medical
tourism to be sustainable.
are accredited, efficient, effective, equitable and good quality
of health care service to the medical tourists, and on the other
hand, a medical tourism industry this is economical, socially
responsible and environmentally sustainable.
Over the last decade, India has transformed into one of
the most popular tourism destinations in the world, largely as
a result of the government’s international “Incredible India”
campaign with the private sector followed by “Global Health
Destination” campaign by organizing international medical
tourism trade expos (GOI 2003; GOI 2008). India is ranked
second to Thailand in the world, based on a two year study
by Deloitte International Healthcare research unit (TravelBiz
2009; IMT 2009). The study states that the key reasons for
developed countries patients to visit India are low cost,
absence of waiting list, best quality treatment with state of the
art medical technology, international accreditation with Joint
Commission International (Ramanna 2008; JCI 2010). It is
important for the governments of various countries involved
in medical tourism to have a re-look at their existing tourism
policy in general and medical tourism policy in particular,
and have a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach for its
sustainability, with a view to attract sizeable private investment
in this emerging health service sector export, position the
country to promote certain regions as a health and medical
tourism destination to locals and foreigners alike in niche areas
of treatment and surgery. Moreover, it can be argued that for
sustainable long term growth of medical tourism industry in
an efficient and effective manner public and private sector
partnerships is essential between the various key stake holders
from the supply side for providing on one hand attractive,
safe, secure medical facilities and surgical procedures which
Government of India (2003) budget for the first time
announced to support trade in private sector medical tourism,
and promoting India to developed countries as a world classhigh-tech healing destination for low cost medical treatment
and procedures. Combining tourism with world-class medical
expertise became a government policy in 2003, when the
Finance Minister, in his budget speech called for India to become
a “Medical Tourism Hub” (PC 2007). Various international
medical tourism accreditation bodies such as: International
Society of Quality in Health Care (ISQUAH) has approved
India’s accreditation process along with National Accreditation
Board for Hospitals (NABH) certification body, of the Indian
Government. Further, Joint Commission international to date
have accredited 17 hospitals in India. Indian National Health
Policy, which was drafted by Prime Minister’s advisory council
on Trade and Industry, states that, “the treatment of foreign
patients/expatriates is legally an “export” and the same is
eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings”
(GOI 2003).
53
June / July 2011
AN EXAMPLE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS IN MEDICAL TOURISM
Government of India and the various State level governments
in India have also realized the positive economic and social
benefit of medical tourism on the economy. Since the eleventh
five year plan the government has promoted India as a “Global
Health Destination” (GOI 2008), providing world class-hightech medical treatment at low cost. Various policy initiatives
were introduced to make medical tourism a development
strategy. For example, since 2003, special medical tourism
visa (M-Visa), along with Medical Escort Visa (MX) for an
accompanying relative travelling with the patient to India for
medical care was introduced, 100% foreign direct investment
in medical infrastructure, research and development, fiscal
incentives for businesses involved in medical service export
sector, government sponsored annual international medical
tourism trade expos, promoting pharmaceutical stem cell
medical research, well developed internet online-medical
tourism websites and above all emphasis on JCI accreditation
for quality control (PC 2007; GOI 2008), to build confidence
in the potential medical tourists to ensure standards regarding
the quality of hospitals, health care and medical ethics.
In the state of Maharashtra, Maharashtra Travel and
Tourism Council, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry, along with private and public hospitals in
Maharashtra, Medical Tourism Cooperation of Maharashtra
in collaboration with FICCI have formed partnership, “to
deliver value for money health care with human touch” to
foreigners in Mumbai (MTCM 2010). Further, leading private
hospitals in the medical tourism sectors are Fortis and Apollo
who have formed partnership with Johns Hopkins Medicine
International, and the Wockhardt Group, which is affiliated
with Harvard Medical International, who manage a total
of 26 hospitals across the subcontinent. These hospitals are
actively seeking foreign partners to promote medical tourism to
collaborate and cooperate with tour operators such as Thomas
Cook and others in the hospitality and resort business and
accrediting bodies (JCI 2010: Sengupta & Nundy 2005).
CONCLUSION
Thus PPP at national, regional and international level
between all key stake holders is essential for sustainable
growth and development of medical tourism industry.
Global partnerships and certification and accreditation by
international accrediting bodies such as JCI, which is the most
widely, accepted medical tourism industry benchmark, besides
other global bodies such as Confederation of Indian industries
(CII) accreditation for hospitals and India British Standards
Institute (IBSI) are equally essential. Accreditation guarantees
and determines the quality of global health care and reputation
of the medical institution and their medical professionals which
is valued by the international medical tourists. It is important
to have PPP also between the key supply side stake holders
in medical tourism industry such as government, private
sector healthcare industry, global accrediting bodies, medicaleducational institutions, including travel industry together
with other niche tourism segments, with can be packaged with
medical tourism such as health, cultural, safari and historical,
and other spiritual tourism types of retreats for patients if
doctor and health permits. Global PPP and accreditation is very
essential for overcoming barriers by patient to medical tourism,
rights of the patient and their families build confidence in the
quality of surgical service, protection from infection and to gain
a credible reputation due to the increased demand for medical
tourism, where world is soon becoming our hospital. n
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Weaver, D. & Lawton, L. (2006), Tourism Management: Brisbane,
Milton Queensland, John Wiley and Sons, Australia, Ltd.
About the author
Anita Medhekar is a Senior Lecturer
in
Economics
at
CQUniversity,
Rockhampton campus, Australia. Her
key teaching and research interests are in
the areas of macro and macro economics,
economics of developing countries,
economics for business, international
trade, and economics of the Asia-Pacific,
health economics, tourism economics,
medical tourism, privatization, public finance and policy.
www.SustainableHealthcare.com
Stay Informed on the Latest News on Sustainable Healthcare and Design
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In addition to reaching over 20,000 hospitals, doctors, medical representatives, government leaders, healthcare
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June / July 2011
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MEDICAL TOURISM
The Challenges of Implementing
High Quality Healthcare
in Jamaica
By ERNEST C. MADU
The demand for effective care for cardiovascular diseases will exert major economic pressure on health systems in developing
countries in the years ahead and will further threaten social order and structures in these countries, unless innovative and
ingenious approaches are identified to sustainably mitigate the circumstances.
I
n 2005, we embarked upon our mission to improve access
and quality of cardiovascular care to the people of the
Caribbean with the perspective that the current global
imbalance in the availability of modern cardiovascular care has
created an exploitative system which is morally unacceptable.
Citizens from low resource nations expend considerable
financial and emotional capital to access high quality cardiac
care in high resource nations, further depleting limited reserves
from the lower resource nations. We entered the local market
to become the leader in cardiac care in the region, assuring
patient satisfaction and improving operational efficiency in the
delivery of sustainable world class cardiovascular care. Since
we began our journey in Jamaica we have encountered and
have learned to negotiate a myriad of structural, institutional
and behavioral barriers that impede the development of
sustainable, high-quality health service programs locally. Our
experience in Jamaica provides a useful roadmap that could be
beneficial to others that may seek to develop similar programs
in a developing country.
56
June / July 2011
A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT
We encountered an environment where most of the services
we proposed were not offered anywhere in the English speaking
Caribbean. Residents of these countries have long depended on
facilities in Florida to access these services at exorbitant rates.
More significantly, only the few elites with means and the
access to the USA had any opportunity to do so. The majority
had no options. Interestingly, that existing order was widely
accepted as the natural order of things. Our plan, therefore,
meant that the order of things would have to change. The old
paradigm was not consistent with development. We had to
change things to grant access to high quality cardiac care to
all. Of course, change as a concept is always a controversial
proposition anywhere. Entrenched interests that benefited from
the existing status quo were predictably uncomfortable with
the change we were bringing and resisted any change because
of the uncertainties that change tends to bring. We encountered
a completely different culture and mode of thinking. The
paternalistic nature of the local healthcare landscape had
created an exaggerated asymmetry of general health-related
information. Patients depended solely on their doctors as the
source of information for all their health-related concerns and
few exhibited the seemingly natural curiosity to seek alternative
opinions or more advanced diagnosis and treatment options
that have become widely available as medicine and technology
advances. Second opinions generated significant discomfort
and covertly discouraged and so were not standard for most
patients. The few patients that expressed interest in second
or alternative opinions met with displeasure from the medical
establishment.
We also encountered significant bureaucratic hurdles in
securing the necessary resources to establish our operations.
We encountered disjointed and unwieldy approvals processes
which added significantly to our risk exposure and general cost
of doing business. These hurdles arose partly because of the
high dose of skepticism, and partly because of the complexity
of the operations we proposed. Also, unfortunately, the one
dimensional approach of multilateral and international agencies
to health development in developing nations have made people
in many developing countries comfortable with the erroneous
and misinformed thinking that CVD and other related non
communicable illnesses are not a threat to the population.
This thinking of course is illogical, particularly as developing
countries continue to adopt western lifestyles and habits. The
rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in developing
countries is evidently linked to changes in lifestyle and diet,
rapid urbanization and increase in the prevalence of traditional
cardiac risk factors like obesity, hypertension, diabetes and
smoking in these countries. Generally ignored was the fact that
the prevalence of Hypertension in many Jamaican communities
exceeds 40 per cent or 2 in 5 adults. Similarly, Diabetes, another
independent risk factor for CVD, affects an estimated 20% of
the local adult population. To reverse this trend therefore, it
is imperative that we reshape or rethink our assessment of the
scope of cardiovascular diseases in developing countries like
Jamaica. There must be a paradigm shift.
FINANCIAL ASPECT
The economic impact of cardiovascular diseases in
developing economies is devastating, largely because workingage adults account for a high proportion of the CVD burden. In
the Caribbean and South America, diabetes and cardiovascular
disease will be responsible for three times more deaths and
disability by 2025, affecting mainly individuals in their midlife years, disrupting the future of families, undermining social
structures and depriving nations of workers in their most
productive years, thus precipitating economic decline and
underdevelopment. The epidemiologic transition taking place
in developing countries with the rising tide of cardiovascular
diseases presents a unique opportunity for innovative thinking
to create affordable and sustainable solutions to meet the
demand in these countries. This requires rethinking of our
current mode of operation and smart use of technology,
leveraging technological advances to take advantage of new
market opportunities.
Accessing financing and favorable terms of trade was yet
another significant hurdle that we encountered in our quest
for sustainable healthcare development. Most multilateral
agencies seemed willing to provide basic aid to support
short term “medical missions” to developing countries but
uninterested in financing sustainable healthcare development.
This is an issue of mental state and narrative. For some reason,
the idiocy that all developing countries need is “dependency
aid” has taken deep roots and is difficult to shake from the
collective consciousness. Some of this thinking derives from
deep-seated attitudes that devalue low resource nations and
assume that certain levels of excellence are beyond the reach of
these nations. The thinking has become so dominant and
57
June / July 2011
entrenched that well-meaning individuals with laudable
and good intentions have unfortunately developed a mindset
that encourages them to look at development in low resource
economies through a dependency and subservient framework,
and discourages them from thinking in the broader
context of meaningful and sustainable development.
CHANGING THE PARADIGM
We were determined to change that paradigm because
we recognized that essential ingredients of sustainable
development must include relevant education and appropriate
use of technology. We designed our program to make maximum
use of the advances in technology focusing on multi-modality
systems that are readily adaptable to low resource settings,
easily serviceable and durable enough to withstand the stresses
of the local environment. We focused on skills acquisition
and training of local talents to improve internal capacity and
minimize the need for dependency on foreign entities. We
trained our local staff in a way to empower them to believe
in their abilities and to be change agents rather than to absorb
foreign concepts without local content or relevance.
The few patients that expressed
interest in second or alternative
opinions met with displeasure from
the medical establishment.
We believed and still believe that in order to bridge the
accessibility gap between the rich and poor nations of the
world, the poorer nations must be granted access to modern
technology through provision of affordable and sustainable
technology solutions that are appropriate and adaptable to
their environment. Technology application must have defined
objectives that support national development priorities and
goals. Policy direction should aim to encourage students who
undertake learning technologies that improve outcomes and
quality of life. This is one way to retain talent within countries
and encourage brain gain rather than brain drain. This will
build internal capacity and put nations on a progressive path
to development and out of poverty and dependency. We
remain resolute that developing nations can only rise through
sustainable investment and development which includes
relevant education, appropriate technology and infrastructural
development, private sector investment and good governance.
Through the successful execution of our business model
in healthcare, we have shown that structural and behavioral
barriers to development can be overcome with careful
planning, smart design, and appropriate use of technology —
while concurrently boosting internal capacity through training
and skills transfer — sustainable and affordable high-quality
cardiovascular care, anchored on aggressive prevention and
treatment strategies, can indeed become a reality in lowresource economies. n
About the Author
Ernest Madu, MD, FACC – Dr. Madu is the founder of
the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) which started
operations in Jamaica in 2005 and the Heart Institute of West
Africa (HIWA) which is currently in development in Nigeria.
HIC is the regional center of excellence for cardiovascular
care in the English speaking Caribbean and has pioneered a
transformation in the way cardiovascular care is delivered in
the region.
www.MedicalTourismCity.com
A New Social Network Has Been Launched!
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>> Medical Tourism City helps facilitate an open forum and communication
amongst those professionals involved in medical tourism and global
healthcare and to facilitate business networking.
>> The social network has reached over 1300 members from over 75 different
countries since it started.
>> Users range from insurance companies, health insurance agents, medical
tourism facilitators, hospitals, doctors, governments, consultants and more.
58
June / July 2011
www.MedicalTourismCity.com
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical Tourism~
The Indian Angle
By BHAWANA SAHU
Mohan is amongst the thousands of software professionals in USA which have their origins from India. He usually visits his
country and hometown once a year. He has ageing parents back home who possess manifold healthcare demands as the age
levitates. With changing trends in healthcare and growing service industry, Mohan avails the joint benefits of leisure, home
visit and availing medical facilities together. Unlike, Mohan several people who are non-residents as well as residents of USA
and other neighboring countries of Asia; require constant medical attention for themselves and their families. These travellers
who seek non-emergency medical benefits from the nations overseas are termed in the present scenario as medical tourists.
I
n a review report of medical tourism industry by Deloitte
Centre for Health Solutions, it was assessed that the
number of American patients seeking healthcare abroad
was around 750,000 in 2007. A notable increase has been seen
further down the years and it was observed that approximately
more than 200,000 to half a million Americans travelled out of
the country for medical procedures.
Medical tourism has augmented partly because of increasing
healthcare costs in developed countries, cross-border medical
training and persistent air travel. The growth of medical
tourism industry is marked globally, encompassing around 50
countries in all continents. The leadership is shown by several
Asian countries like India, Singapore and Thailand. South and
59
June / July 2011
Southeast regions of Asia attract around more than a million
medical travellers per year. These three countries collectively
comprise of approximately more than 90% of the medical
tourism market share in Asia, and have invested heavily in
their healthcare infrastructures to meet the increased demand
for accredited medical care through first-class facilities. Asia
in itself generates revenues in billions and consists of 12.7%
of the global market. A growth rate of 17.6% and 23%of
The demand for travel and
tourism is expected to reach
$431.7 billion by 2020.
revenue growth is expected by 2012. The coalescing of quality
healthcare at affordable costs and leisure tourism makes Asia
one of the top choice destinations for medical tourists.
CREDIBLE INDIA
One of the extensively growing sectors in India is accounted
as medical tourism and is likely to witness an annual growth
rate of 30 %, making it a 9,500-crore industry by 2015. The
prospects of international travel to access quality medical care
at affordable costs and without insurance barriers makes India
one of the most appealing destinations for population abroad.
Estimates are that approximately
150,000 of people travel to
India for low-priced healthcare
procedures every year.
Availability of alternative medicine healthcare services, like
Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, etc. makes it all much more
appealing. Also, combining the medical travel with pleasure
trip adds to the appeal. Estimates are that approximately
150,000 of people travel to India for low-priced healthcare
procedures every year. The influx of foreign tourists in India
have amplified to greater levels as India continues to be a
favoured tourist destination for leisure, as well as business
travel. The Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) have increased at a
CAGR of 8.1% between 2004 and 2009.
The increased business travel is accounted to the growing
economy; the great leap in the service industry over the past
few years has led to increased corporate spending on business
travel.
Also, there has been witnessed a hike in inbound tourist
arrivals, which can be subjected to the availability of wellequipped and managed hospital infrastructure and the low cost
of treatment in India, compared to the developed countries.
The rate of inbound tourist arrivals is expected to rise at 29%
to reach U.S. $ 2.4 billion by 2012.
Added advantage is provided by the uplifting government
policies in India. The government led initiatives and campaigns
such as Incredible India!, Colors of India, Atithi Devo Bhavah
and the Wellness Campaign for promoting the Indian tourism
and hospitality industry adds to the creation of appeal amongst
the foreign tourists.
and thus trying not to encounter in future any supply-side
constraints.
Around 80% of foreign tourist arrivals in India are from
the neighbouring countries and from Iraq, Afghanistan, the
former Soviet Union, etc and now increasingly from Africa.
The Indian hotel industry remains a direct beneficiary of
economic growth and of the growth in the tourism industry.
There has been recorded a high demand for quality rooms, At
present, the demand exceeds the supply, it has been marked
the demand for hotel rooms is about 240,000 rooms, while the
current supply of hotel rooms is around 100,000.
Many healthcare organizations providing top most care
to the medical tourists and being most opted include Apollo
Group of Hospitals, Fortis Group of Hospitals and other major
healthcare setups and diagnostic centres.
THE GREAT INDIAN ANGLE
India is one of the fastest-growing travel and tourism
markets in the world. The demand for travel and tourism is
expected to reach U.S. $ 431.7 billion (INR 24,252.4 billion)
by 2020. According to an industry intelligence report, India’s
share in the global medical tourism industry will reach around
three percent by the end of 2013. The December 2010 report
-- titled “Booming Medical Tourism in India” – says that the
industry should generate revenues of around U.S. $3 billion by
2013. The industry can be considered of being in its growth
stage and is expected to grow 30 % annually till 2015. It is
expected that CAGR (compound annual growth rates) in
revenue in 2011-13 will be 26%. In terms of medical tourists,
the number can reach approximately 1.3 million by 2013 at
a CAGR of 19%. India is preparing for this expected growth
60
June / July 2011
* E: Estimate; F: Forecast
Source: –Travel and tourism economic impact: India, 2010
World Travel and Tourism Council website, www.wttc.org,
accessed 2 December 2010.
WHAT CAUSES THIS GROWTH?
The drivers for this credible growth of Indian medical
tourism industry can be accounted to several emerging trends
which fuel the demand for medical tourism.
• Domestic Tourism is at its peak, with increase in
affordability and affinity for leisure travel, the domestic
tourism has resulted into an enormous growth of almost
15% per year.
better infrastructure like new airports in various cities
and reduced fares of air travel improve connectivity
between major cities in the country and result in creation
of increased demand for hotels.
• India remains one of the most attractive destinations
to foreign tourists, as it has a plethora of tourism
destinations and quality care providing healthcare
facilities at low costs. One gets to combine the leisure
trip and medical travel together.
• Low and affordable cost of surgeries, diagnostics,
treatment, and medicines in India, make it a destination
to be looked at by the non-insured foreign citizens. Also,
there has been noted increased visits for availing the
facilities of cosmetic surgeries, dental surgeries and other
minor or non medical emergency surgeries which are
not covered under the insurance. This is backed up by
the advanced technology usage and available expertise
of qualified and certified healthcare professionals in
India. The outpatient surgeries comprise of almost 75%
of medical tourism procedures and, for many of these,
consumer out-of-pocket payments are high, the option
of medical tourism turns out to be more attractive.
• With globalization and economic growth, the middle
class populace in India has grown more affluent and
this has resulted into an affordable outbound travel.
The ease of access and availability of attractive tour
packages boost the outbound leisure travel from India.
• Constant Up-gradation and Augmentation of tourism
infrastructure and facilities, by the Ministry of Tourism
at important tourist destinations, has helped in
improving the accessibility to these places. In addition,
• With increased acceptance by employers and health
plans targeting commercial populations make it easier
for the tourists to access healthcare outside the vicinity
of their own country. These on the other side benefits
the employers to save on costs/ premiums to insurance
companies.
• Here for Better: With more and more healthcare facilities
in India getting accredited by the Joint Commission
International (JCI), the healthcare industry’s official
accreditation institution for monitoring the quality of
care provision. This has also accounted to an increase in
number of foreign tourist arrivals for accessing medical
care.
• There are also Certified Facilitators, which have business
relations with hospitals in India and abroad. They
provide assistance to the medical/healthcare facility
seekers and help them get the best healthcare packages
that suit their needs.
In conclusion, it can be said that with growing needs of
healthcare and rising costs worldwide, one needs to find out
a cost effective and non-quality compromising solution to
the same. Medical tourism proves to be one of the robust
solutions. In India, the medical tourism industry is still young
and is exploring its nascent growth phases. Every industry
comes with its own pros and cons. Not all medical care could
be sought while travelling from one country to another. Yet,
much of the non emergency care could be sought after while
having a leisure trip. Affordable cost is an added advantage.
It is expected that in years to come, with India emerging as a
preferred destination for medical treatment, medical tourism
in the country is expected to have a dramatic growth and
this would be backed up by investments in healthcare sector
inclusive of pharmaceutical and healthcare technology and by
investments in tourism and hospitality industry. n
Constant Up-gradation and
Augmentation of tourism infrastructure
and facilities, by the Ministry
of Tourism at important tourist
destinations, has helped in improving
the accessibility to these places.
61
June / July 2011
“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is
a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of
living.” – Miriam Beard.
About the Author
Bhawana Sahu is the Business Development
Manager and is involved inTele-radiology
& Diagnostic Imaging for NM Medical in
Mumbai. She is experienced in Business
Development for Clinical Research, HR,
and Administration (Diagnostic Imaging),
Integrated Sales, Branding & Direct Marketing
Activities, Strategic Partnership & Alliances.
http://in.linkedin.com/in/bhawanasahu
PRESS RELEASE
Pioneer of surgical procedure preserves
Singapore patient’s uterus while removing 20 fibroids
(including 3 that measured over 9cm in diameter)
Taipei Medical University Hospital
Media Contacts:
Dr. Wei-Ming Liu 劉偉民主任, 0970-405-154, director of the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ms. Hui-Chu Chang張惠珠, 0970-405-562
Mr. Pei-Fong Zou鄒沛峰, 0970-405-561
Ms. Ying-Jie Fang方瀅絜, 0970-405-550, Division of Public
Affairs
Date: July 13, 2011
Press conference time: 02:30 pm July 13, 2011
Press conference location: Weight Management Center,
14F Building No.3
A
Singaporean couple discovered that Mrs. Tan,
43, had multiple large uterine fibroids (benign
tumors) in a routine physical examination in 2007.
Since then the couple had consulted renowned gynecologists
throughout Singapore and Malaysia. Since the Tans desire
children, they were disappointed to be told each time that the
preferred treatment was hysterectomy, or complete removal of
her uterus. Recently, they heard from friends that the director
of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Taipei Medical
University Hospital, Dr. Wei-Ming Liu, is a renowned specialist
in this area of medicine. The Tans therefore decided to seek
help in Taiwan from Dr. Liu.
After Dr. Liu’s assessment, Mrs. Tan decided to undergo
minimally invasive surgical removal of uterine fibroids
combined with bilateral uterine artery occlusion (微創性子宮肌
瘤摘除術合併雙側子宮動脈阻斷術). This pioneering surgical
procedure successfully removed more than twenty fibroids of
different sizes. Mrs. Tan recovered very well after the operation
and was relieved of the symptoms that had troubled her for
four years. Most importantly, Mrs. Tan’s uterus could be
retained for the couple’s wish to have babies in the future.
The director of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
at Taipei Medical University Hospital, Dr. Wei-Ming Liu, said
that because the couple urgently wanted to retain the possibility
of having children, all the fibroids could be removed using this
minimally invasive surgical technique. With the assistance of
Taipei Medical University Hospital’s International Healthcare
Center, the patient was hospitalized on July 5. She received
surgery on July 6 to remove the fibroids, which included three
very large ones between 9 and 10 cm in diameter. Because the
surgery also protected the bilateral uterine arteries, the bleeding
was only 20 cc. This method successfully avoided the necessity
62
June / July 2011
for blood transfusions and also lowered the chance of future
recurrence of uterine fibroids.
Mr. and Mrs. Tan were very satisfied with the results of
this surgery and gave high marks to the hospital’s international
medical team. Mr. Tan said that his career as an automobile
dealer takes him traveling all over the world. Since his wife’s
condition was diagnosed, he made every effort to search for
possible treatments, without any satisfactory answer. After
they decided to go to Taiwan to seek Dr. Liu’s opinion, the
International Healthcare Center assisted each step of the way,
from admission to post-surgical care and all special needs. Mr.
Tan said, “I have travelled around the world for many years and
had a lot of experiences in receiving health care services. The
quality of international health care services at TMU Hospital,
in its medical professionals, equipment and overall service, has
achieved the best world standards.”
The superintendent of TMU Hospital, Dr. Tzen-Wen Chen,
said the high standards of medical care and service orientation
with reasonable prices are Taiwan’s advantages in developing
international health care services. Patients from the United
States, Europe and mainland China come to Taiwan for
treatment and to receive health check-ups and medical cosmetic
services for these reasons. TMUH’s Center for Reproductive
Medicine, its Gynecological Oncology and Chinese Traditional
Medicine services and its Medical Cosmetic Center are favored
by international patients and foreign diplomats in Taiwan.
In addition to word of mouth, international guests choose
Taiwan’s hospitals for health care services according to
whether the hospital is certified by the U.S.-based JCI hospital
accreditation organization. TMU Hospital has also achieved
related international certifications and evaluations in the areas
of quality management, environmental management processes,
and information security.
Dr. Liu further added that he received the World Conference
of Gynecological Endoscopy Paper Award (Kert Samm Award)
for his pioneering work on minimally invasive surgical removal
of uterine fibroids in 2001. Over the past decade, he has
performed more than 5000 operations, and has published more
than 20 related papers. Many medical institutions have visited
from around the world to witness his techniques and share his
knowledge. TMU Hospital’s gynecologic team under the Dr.
Liu’s leadership has reached the pinnacle of global achievement,
and this technique can proudly represent Taiwan’s advanced
health care in the international medical arena. n
PRESS RELEASE
MTA Announces Launch of iTunes Medical Tourism Channel
As part of the commitment to education the MTA, has launched a channel on iTunes and has released
it’s exclusive interviews, podcasts, and webinars in order to provide accurate information to people
interested in learning more about this industry.
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 20, 2011 – “With over
160 million iTunes users across the globe, this new channel
provides much greater exposure to the world about medical
tourism. On initial launch of some of our first podcasts we
had thousands of new listeners. We are committed to using the
most cutting edge and modern media tools to get to the right
audience, and iTunes is the answer,” said Jonathan Edelheit,
CEO of the Medical Tourism AssociationTM .
Medical Tourism Magazine Interviews- Audio
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/medical-tourism-magazineinterviews/id423849159
Medical Tourism T.V. - Video
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/medical-tourism-t-v/
id432891570
About the MTA
The Medical Tourism Association™ also referred to as
Medical Travel Association, is the first membership based
international non-profit trade association for the medical
tourism and global healthcare industry made up of the
top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical
travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated
companies and members with the common goal of promoting
the highest level of quality of healthcare to patients in a
global environment. Our Association promotes the interests
of its healthcare provider and medical tourism facilitator
members. The Medical Tourism Association™ has three
tenets: Transparency in Quality and Pricing, Communication
and Education.
63
June / July 2011
The MTA is the first international non-profit assn. made
up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers,
medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, members
with the common goal of promoting the highest level of
quality of healthcare.
For more information please contact
Olivia Goodwin
Social Media Coordinator
Medical Tourism Association, Inc.
US 001.561.791.2000
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Excellence in International Healthcare Leadership Award
This award will be presented at the 4th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress held
in Chicago, October 25-28, 2011.
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 01, 2011 – The Medical
Tourism AssociationTM (Global Healthcare Association)
will be awarding a select group of leaders in international
healthcare whose achievements have enhanced and brought
innovation to the International Healthcare Industry and
excelled at providing international healthcare quality and
international patients services, which has contributed to
the growth of traveling for high quality or less expensive
healthcare.
DEADLINE FOR 2011 NOMINATIONS
This award recognizes a leader in the industry for
providing an exemplary program or innovation consistent
with the vision of the Medical Tourism Association’sTM
goal to advance medical tourism and initiate education by
engaging others, promote proven strategies, procedures and
hospitals and to advocate for the need to ensure high quality
healthcare at affordable prices. The award is to honor an
individual whose professional accomplishments embody
such qualities that drive this industry forward.
About the MTA
The Medical Tourism Association™ also referred to
as Medical Travel Association, is the first membership
based international non-profit trade association for the
medical tourism and global healthcare industry made up
of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers,
medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other
affiliated companies and members with the common goal
of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare to
patients in a global environment. Our Association promotes
the interests of its healthcare provider and medical tourism
facilitator members. The Medical Tourism Association™
has three tenets: Transparency in Quality and Pricing,
Communication and Education.
BENEFITS OF THE AWARD WILL INCLUDE:
• Receiving a Leadership Award at the Medical Tourism
and International Healthcare Conference
• Participate in a Ministers of Health workshop and
networking reception
• Medical Tourism Magazine Feature: If recipient of the
award agrees they will be featured in the magazine as
an international healthcare leader and this will include
an interview of the recipient in the featured piece in the
magazine.
Call for Nominations starts on May 31st and ends
September 20th.
For any questions or information about the Medical
Tourism Leadership Awards please contact us at:
[email protected]
###
The 4th Annual World Medical Tourism & Global
Health Congress will feature over 100 exhibitors and
sponsors and up to 1,500 attendees from over 87 countries.
• An International Healthcare Leadership Award logo to
put on a website
• Award winners will be publicized in conference
materials and will be given a ribbon for their name badge
increasing networking possibilities with other attendees
Nominations can be made on the World Medical
Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress website.
Nominees will be reviewed and chosen by a committee
of the association. The award must be accepted by the
person receiving it at the conference.
For more information please contact
Olivia Goodwin
Social Media Coordinator
US 001.561.791.2000
[email protected]
World Medical Tourism
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS USA
OCTOBER 25TH - 28 TH 2011
Marriott Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
64
June / July 2011
PRESS RELEASE
Medical Tourism Association™ Travels
“Across the Pond” to Spread the Word
The 2011 Travel Distribution Summit held in London was host to the top travel agents, airlines, hotels
and affiliated business entities from around the globe. It served as a platform for the MTA to educate
these companies about the industry.
PRLog (Press Release) – May 24, 2011 – The Medical
Tourism Association™ met with many of the travel agents
and others in the hospitality and travel industry in order to
continue its educational campaign to deliver information
regarding medical tourism and its benefits with these travel
partners. Membership Coordinator Lisbeth Stein stated,
“We were excited to be able to educate the travel industry
participants about the Medical Tourism Association™ and its
many membership benefits and programs and also delighted
with the many positive connections that were made.” (http://
www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com/en/benefits-of- ...)
The Medical Tourism Industry represents a booming
niche in the travel market. MTA now has delegates in over
87 countries following its development with almost 1200
attendees at last year’s annual Congress. The 4th World
Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress will reinvent
itself yet again in the Chicago area, October 25 – 28 2011,
and is an excellent way to meet a myriad of potential business
partners from all over the world including Europe, Eastern
Europe, Asia, Middle East and Gulf Coast Countries as well
as from the United States and Latin America. The travel
partners in these countries will prove to be the next spokes in
the growing medical tourism wheel. There will be a special
segment focused on the Travel & Hospitality Industries for all
to gain knowledge into this ground breaking industry. (http://
www.MedicalTourismCongress.com/ )
About the MTA
The Medical Tourism Association™ also referred to as
Medical Travel Association, is the first membership based
international non-profit trade association for the medical
tourism and global healthcare industry made up of the top
international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel
facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies
and members with the common goal of promoting the highest
level of quality of healthcare to patients in a global environment.
Our Association promotes the interests of its healthcare provider
and medical tourism facilitator members. The Medical Tourism
Association™ has three tenets: Transparency in Quality and
Pricing, Communication and Education.
http://www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com/en/index.html
Contact
Lisbeth Stein
Membership Coordinator
US 001.561.791.2000
[email protected]
65
June / July 2011
M TA M E M B E R
HOSPITALS
Almater Hospital SA de CV
Fco. I Madero No 1060
Mexicali, BC
Mexico 2110
City : Mexicali, BC
Country : Mexico
Phone : 686-523-8000
Fax : 686-553-5235
Website : www.almater.com
American Hospital Dubai
P.O. Box 5566 Dubai - UAE
Dubai
UAE
Phone: 971-4-336 7777
Fax: 971-4-309 6325
Website: www.ahdubai.com
Assaf Harofeh Medical Center
PO Beer Ya’akov
Zerifin 70300
Israel
Telephone: 972-8-9779589
Fax: 972-8-9779526
Website: www.assafh.org
Bangkok Hospital Medical Center
2 Soi Soonvijai 7, New Petchburi Road
Bangkok 10310
City : Bangkok
Country : Thailand
Phone : (+662) 310 3455
Fax : (+662) 310 3115
Website : http://www.bangkokhospital.com
Baptist Hospital South Florida
International Services
8940 N. Kendall Drive Suite 601E
Miami Florida 33176
City : Florida
Country : United States
Phone : 7865964643
Fax : 7865963648
Website : www.baptisthealth.net
DIRECTORY
City : Bucaramanga
Country : Colombia
Phone : 6399646
Fax : 6399292
Website : http://www.fcv.org
FV Hospital - Far East Medical Vietnam
Limited
6 Nguyen Luong Bang,
Saigon South (Phu My Hung)
District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
VIETNAM
Telephone: (84-8) 411-3333
Fax: (84-8) 411-3334
Website: www.fvhospital.com
International Patient Services
Telephone: (84-8) 411-3420
Email: [email protected]
International Guide: http://international.
fvhospital.com
G.M.C Hospital and Research Centre
P.O. Box 4184
Ajman, United Arab Emirates
City : Ajman
Country : United Arab Emirates
Phone : 97167463333
Fax : 9716746444
Website : www.gmchospital.com
HCA East Florida Division
450 Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
City : Fort Lauderdale
Phone : 954-767-5722
Fax : 954-767-5793
Website : www.saludinternacional.com
Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz
Rua Jooo Juliao, 331 Paraiso
Sao Paulo, 01323 903
Brazil
Telephone: 5511 3549 1000
Fax: 5511 3287 8177
Website: www.hospitalalemao.org.br
Beijing United Hospitals & Clinics
#2 Jiang Tai Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing, 100015 PRC
Beijing, China
Phone : 59277085
Fax : 59277200
Website : www.ufh.com.cn
Hospital Clinica Biblica
Calle Central y Primera
Avenidas 14y16
San Jose, Costa Rica 1037-1000
Toll Free: 1-800-503-5358
Telephone: 506-522-1414
Fax: 506-257-7307
Website: www.hcbinternational.com
Bumrungrad Hospital
33 Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana Nua), Wattana
Bangkok, 10110 Thailand
City : Bangkok
Country : Thailand
Phone : +662 667 1000
Fax : +662 667 2525
Website : http://www.bumrungrad.com
Hospital Punta Pacifica
Boulevard Pacifica and Via Punta Darien,
Panama City
0831-01593, Panama
Telephone: (507) 204-8024
Fax: (507) 204-8010
Website: www.hospitalpuntapacifica.com
Conclina C.A. Hospital Metropolitano
Avenida Mariana De Jesus S/N y Nicolas
Arteta
Quito Pichincha
Ecuador
City : Quito
Country : Ecuador
Phone : 593 2 3998000
Fax : 593 2 2269247
Website : www.hospitalmetropolitano.org
Doctors Hospital
#1 Collins Avenue
P.O. Box N-3018
Nassau, Bahamas
Telephone: 242-302-4600
Fax: 242-323-4801
Website: www.doctorshosp.com
Fundacion Cardiovascular De
Colombia
Calle 155A #23-50
Bucaramanga, Santander
Colombia
66
June / July 2011
Istishari Hospital
44 Alkindi Street
Amman, 11190
City : Amman
Country : Jordan
Phone : 96265001000
Website : http://istisharihospital.com/
Jackson Memorial Hospital
International
1500 NW 12th Avenue Suite 829
Miami, Florida 33136
City : Miami
Phone : 305-355-5544
Fax : 305-355-5545
Website : http://www.jmhi.org
Jordan Hospital
Queen Noor Street
Amman 11190
Jordan
Telephone: +962 6560 8080
Fax: +962 6560 7575
Website: www.jordan-hospital.com
Medanta- The Medicity
Sector 38
Gurgaon, Haryana 122001
India
Telephone: 911244141414
Fax: 911244834111
Website: www.medanta.org
Medica Sur S.A.B. de C.V
Puente de Piedra #150
Col. Toriello Guerra Del Tlalpan
Mexico City, Mexico 14050
City : Mexico City
Country : Mexico
Phone : 52 55 5424 6896
Website : http://www.
medicaltourismmexico.com.mx
Moolchand Healthcare Group
Lajpat Nagar III
New Delhi, 110024
India
Telephone: 911142000000
Website: www.moolchandhealthcare.com
Narayana Hrudayalaya
NO 258/A Bommasandra Industrial Area,
Anekal Taluk
Bangalore, Karnataka 560099
India
Telephone: 080-27835000
Fax: 080-27835207
Website: www.narayanahospitals.com
Prince Court Medical Centre Sdn. Bhd
39, Jalan Kia Peng
Kuala Lumpur 50450
Malaysia
Telephone: +603 21600000
Fax: +603 21600110
Website: www.princecourt.com
Seoul Wooridul Spine Hospital
47-4 Chungdam-dong,
Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-100
Korea
Telephone: +82-2-513-8157 / 8385
Fax: +82-2-513-8386 / 8454
Website: www.wooridul.com
SevenHills Hospital
Marol Maroshi Road Andheri East
Mumbai Maharashtra 400059
City : Mumbai
Country : India
Phone : 00912267676767
Fax : 00912229250043
Website : www.sevenhillshospital.com
Severence Hospital
Yonsei University Health System
250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu
Seoul, Republic of Korea 120-752
Telephone: +82-2-2228-1482
Fax: +82-2-363-0396
Website: www.yuhs.or.kr/en/
Shuang Ho Hospital
291 Jhongjheng Rd.
Jhonghe City, Taipei County 235
Taiwan
City : Jhonghe City
Country : Taiwan
Phone : 886-2-2249-0088 X8807
Fax : 886-2-2248-0900
Website : http://shh.tmu.edu.tw/
Taipei Medical University Hospital
252 Wuxing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
Tel: +886-2-2737-2181 ext. 3336
Fax: +886-2-2737-4257
Website: www.tmuh.org.tw
Taipei Medical University Wan Fang Hospital
111 Section 3, Hsing-Long Rd., Taipei 116,
Taiwan
Tel: +886-2-2930-7930 ext. 7766
Fax: +886-2-8662-1135
Website: www.taiwanhealthcare.com
Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital
291 Jhongjheng Rd., Jhonghe City, Taipei
County 235, Taiwan
Tel: +886-2-2249-0088 ext. 8807
Fax: +886-2-2248-0900
Website: http://eng.shh.org.tw
The Nairobi Hospital
P.O. Box 30026
Nairobi, 00100
Kenya
Telephone: 254 020 2846001
Fax: 254 020 2728003
Website: www.nairobihospital.org
The Specialty Hospital
P.O. Box 930186
Amman, 11193
Jordan
City : Amman
Country : Jordan
Phone : 00962-6-5001111
Fax : 00962-6-5697425
Website : www.specialty-hospital.com
SPECIALTY, COSMETIC, & DENTAL
CLINICS
Aestheticup Clinica Robles/
Aestheticup Dental House
Virrey del Pino 2530
Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone : 1-866-816-9971
Fax : 541147860560
Website : www.aestheticup.com
Barbados Fertility Centre Inc.
Seaston House, Hastings
Christ Church
Barbados
Telephone: 246-435-7467
Fax: 246-436-7467
Website: www.barbadosivf.org
Cancun Cosmetic Dentistry
Las Americas Shopping Mall, Store 215
Cancun 77500
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Telephone: 998 106 8106
Website: www.cancuncosmeticdentistry.com
Clinica Jose A. Rivas S.A.
Avenida Carrera 19 #100-88
Bogota, Colombia
Telephone: (571)616-3077
Fax: (571)257-8304
Website: www.clinicarivas.com
Dental Polyclinic Dr. Hodzic & Center
for Regenerative Medicine “MEDENT”
18, Istria Street
Rovinj, 52210
Croatia
Telephone: +385 52 842 500
Fax: +385 52 842 501
Website: www.poliklinika-dr-hodzic.com
Instituto Bariatrico Dr. Betances
C/Rafael A. Sanchez, Ed. Medicalnet Suite
405, Ens. Piantini
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
City : Santo Domingo
Country : Dominican Republic
Phone : 8097329400
Fax : 8095407070
Website : www.bariatrica.com
M TA M E M B E R
Integra Medical Center
Juarez 239
Nuo Progreso, Tamqulipas 88810
Mexico
Telephone: 899-937-0260
Website: www.integramedicalcenter.com
International Orthopedic Group
Badia Hand to Shoulder Center
3650 N.W. 82nd Avenue, Suite 103
Doral, Florida 33166
United States
Phone : 3052274263
Fax : 3055377222
Website : www.drbadia.com
Lorenzana Dental Center
Pasaje Sagrado Corazon 826
San Salvador, San Salvador
El Salvador
Telephone: (503) 2263-4572
Facsimile: (503) 2263-4575
Website: www.doctorlorenzana.com
Prudent Hungary Dental Clinic
16 Lucsony Street
Mosonmagyarouar , 9200
Hungary
Phone : 36202199457
Website : www.prudenthungary.com
San Patricio MRI & CT Center
280 Marginal Kennedy
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
00968
Phone : 787-620-5757
Fax : 787-620-5761
Website : www.sanpatriciomrict.com
The Catholic University of Korea
Yeson Voice Center
The Institute of Performing Art
Medicine
Hyung-Tae Kim, MD, PhD
638-13 Ssanbong Build. 2nd Fl.
Shinsadong, Gangnamgu
Seoul, 135-896, South Korea
Telephone:82-2-3444-0550
Fax: 82-2-3443-2621
Website: www.yesonvc.com
Wintergreen Center for
Rehabilitation AB
Kyrkovage 13
Nykroppa 680 90
Sweden
Telephone: 004659041888
Fax: 004659041889
Website: www.wintergreen.se
MEDICAL TOURISM
FACILITATORS
Ageless Wonders Panama /
Panama Medical Tourism
Your Premium Health & Wellness Specialists
73rd street San Francisco,
Palma Real Bldg., No. 12A
Panama City, Republic of Panama
US (224) 353-7701
Tel (507) 396-1640
[email protected]
[email protected]
http://www.agelesswonders-pma.com/
Angels Global Healthcare
10-799 O’Brien Drive
Peterborough Ontario K9J 6X7
City : Ontario
Country : Canada
Phone : 7057435433
Fax : 7057415147
Website : www.angelsglobalhealthcare.com
67
June / July 2011
DIRECTORY
BYZAlliance Medical Travel
& Medical Consulting
Hakkiyeten Caddesi. Unimed Center
No: 8/10 34349 Fulya - Istanbul
Turkey
Telephone: 90 212 240 82 99
Fax: 90 212 231 39 56
Website: www.byzalliance.com
Cambria Healthcare Inc.
18101 Point Dookout Dr. Suite 139
Houston, 77058
United States
Telephone:1-469-323-6119
Facsimile: 1-972-841-4856
Website:: www.CambriaHealthcare.com
Catalunya Turisme
Passeig de Gracia
105-3a-08008 Barcelona, Spain
City : Barcelona
Country : Spain
Phone : 34934849900
Fax : 34934849888
Website : www.catalunyaturisme.com
China Health Today
3551 19th Avenue SW
Naples, Florida 34117
City : Naples
Country : USA
Phone : 866-768-1631
Fax : 239-244-8375
Website : www.chinahealthtoday.com
Debson Medical Tourism
1200 McGill College Avenue Suite 1100
Montreal QC H3B 4G7
Telephone:1-877-900-DEBS(3327)
Website: www.debsonmedicaltourism.com
Diversified Surgical Management, LP
1015 North Carroll, #2000
Dallas, Texas 75204
City : Dallas
Country : USA
Phone : 214-843-0830
Fax : 214-853-4644
Website : http://www.dsmglobal.com/
Global Health Israel (GHI)
32 Shaham St., P.O. Box 7790
Petah-Tikva
Israel
Telephone: 972 3 9232202
Fax: 972 3 9229750
Website: www.globalhealthisrael.com
Global Health Travel
Cassandra Italia
80A O’Shannassy Street
Sunbury, VIC 3429
Australia
Telephone: +613-9744-5872
Fax: +613-9740-4243
Website: www.globalhealthtravel.com.au
Green4Care
24 Rue Louis Blanc
Paris, France
75010
City : Paris
Country : France
Fax : 01.55.26.94.95
Website : www.mymedicaltreatmentabroad.com
Health Travel Guides
600 Townsend Street, Suite 120e
San Francisco, CA 94103
City : California
Phone : 415-412-4811
Website : www.healthtravelguides.com
KONGRESIST Travel Inc.
Cumhuriyet Cad. No. 179 D. 15, Harbiye
Istanbul, 34373
City : Istanbul
Country : Turkey
Phone : 902122312772
Website : www.kongresist.com
Max Global Consulting Services
House # 220, Street Charay Hesa Doham-eKartiparwan
Kabul Afghanistan
Telephone: +93 706 272 491
Med2Heal OHG
Warschauer Strube 5
Frankfurt, Hesse Germany 60327
City : Frankfurt
Country : Germany
Phone : 49.69677.01438
Fax : 49.69207.36469
Website : www.med2heal.com
Medical Retreat Abroad, LLC
6146 Whiskey Creek Drive
Suite 723
Fort Myers, FL 33919
City : Fort Myers
Phone : 800-460-4166
Website : www.medicalretreatabroad.com
Medical Services of Costa Rica
Hacienda Los Reyes, casa 241 primera
etapa, La Guacima, Alajuela
Costa Rica
Telephone: 00506 22203596
Fax: 00506 22203596
Website: www.medicalservicesofcostarica.com
Medical Tour Experts, Inc.
8379 W. Sunset Road Suite 105
Las Vegas, NV 89113-2204
City : Las Vegas
Phone : 1-702-650-0011
Fax : 702-650-2292
Website : www.mte101.com
MedicalTour International Co. Ltd.
2-3-9 Sawamura
Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0877
Japan
Telephone: 81263882810
Fax: 81263882322
Website: www.medical-tour.jp
Medical Tourism Co, LLC
7000 Independence Parkway, Suite 160,
PMN 149
Plano, Texas 75025-5741
USA
Telephone: 972-814-1614
Fax: 1-800-661-2126
Website: http://www.medicaltourismco.com
Medical Travel Riga
Maza Nometnu Street 10-1
Riga LV1002
Latvia
Phone: 37128652969
Website: www.medicaltravelriga.com
Medical Treatments Management
340 South Lemon Avenue #7012
Los Angeles, Ca. 91789
City : Los Angeles, Ca
Country : USA
Phone : 1-800-870-6059
Website : mtmweb.biz
Med Tour Pal - Astute Management
Consultancy Private Ltd.
A-204, Raj Darshan, Dada Patil Wadi,
Naupada, Thane (West),
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India 400602
City : Mumbai
Country : India
Phone : 02225420304
Website : http://medtourpal.com/
Mediline
Ahi Evren Cad.,Ata Penter, No 1, Kat G2
Maslak, Istanbul 34398
Turkey
Phone: 905304035251
Website: www.medilineus.com
Medpro Bavaria GmbH
Falkenbach 75 Freyung 94078
City : Freyung
Country : Germany
Phone : 498551913528
Fax : 498551913456
Website : www.medprobavaria.com
Med Tours Latinamerica
9a Avenue Sur + 12 C.Ote. 22A Colonia
Utila
Santa Tecla, La Libertad
El Salvador, Central America
City : Santa Tecla, La Libertad
Country : El Salvador Central America
Phone : 503-2229-3000
Website : www.labcofasa.com
Medtral New Zealand
Mercy Specialist Center
100 Mountain Road
Epsom
Auckland 1149
City : Auckland
Country : New Zealand
Phone : 64 9 623 6588
Fax : 64 9 623 6587
Website : http://www.medtral.com
MedTravel Ecuador
Av. de los Shyris 2811 e Isla Floreana
Quito, Ecuador
City : Quito
Country : Ecuador
Phone : 593-2 2433307
Fax : 593-2 2445364
Website : www.medtravelecuador.com
MedVoy Inc.
1917 King Street
Denver Colorado 80204
USA
Telephone:720-771-6760
Facsimile: +1-866-254-0108
Website: www.medvoy.com
Nirmal Hospitalities
Siddanth Villa, Plot No 54157,
Rsc 13, Goral II
480092
Mumbai,Maharastr India
City : Mumbai
Country : India
Phone : 91 098 333 70334
Fax : 91 22 28693823
Website : www.nirmalhospitalities.com
Pan American Dental Tours
30 Raymond Road
North Salem, NY 10560
United States of America
Telephone: 914-485-1026
Fax: 206-984-1889
www.panamdentaltours.com
Spain Medical Services
c/ Menorca, 2 bl. 6-1A
Las Rozas, Madrid 28230
City : Madrid
Country : Spain
Phone : 34693902182
Website : www.spainmedicalservices.com
SPA-MED-HOLIDAY
Cecile Billiet
Edificio Reforma Obelisco, St. 1106
Av Reforma 15-54, Z9
Guatemala City 01009
Guatemala
Telephone: 00 502 2332 4648 /
00 502 593 79 438
M TA M E M B E R
Skype: spa.med.holiday
Website: www.spa-med-holiday.com
Surgical Trip, LLC
Thomas O’Hara
7491 North Federal Highway,
Suite C-5, #293
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Telephone: (800)513-8996
Website: www.SurgicalTrip.com
Transmed Tourism LLC
7629 Wynndel Way
Elk Grove, 95758
Phone : 916-752-5539
Fax : 916-647-4876
Website : http://www.transmedtourism.com
URUHEALTH (Health and Tourism in
Uruguay)
Dr. Marcelo Rodriguez
Av. Ricaldoni 2452
Montevideo 11600
Uruguay
Telephone: (+598) 27114444
Fax: (+598) 27114444
Website: http://www.uruhealth.com
Veiovis
93 S. Jackson St. #28310
Seattle, WA 98104-2818
USA
Telephone: (671) 646-6012
Wbsite: www.veiovis.com
DIRECTORY
Well-Being Travel
Anne Marie Moebes
71 Audrey Avenue
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
United States of America
Telephone: (516) 624-0500 X2312
Fax: (516) 624-6024
Website: www.travelsavers.com
GOVERNMENT/
HEALTHCARE CLUSTER
Cluster Servicios de Medicina y
Odontologia - Medical and Dental
Services Cluster
Calle 41 No. 55-80 Plaza Mayor- Entrada
Norte-Piso 3
City : Medellin
Country : Colombia
Phone : 57 4 261 36 00, ext. 112
Fax : 57 4 513 77 57
Website : www.medellinhealthcity.com
Health & Wellness Tourism
Commission, Agexport
15 Ave. 14-72, zona 13
Guatemala City 01013 Guatemala
Telephone: 00 502 2422-3400 ext 3418
Fax: 00 502 2422-3400
Websites: www.healthwellnessguatemala.com
www.export.com.gt
Veiovis
Country : Guam
Website : www.veiovis.com
Korea International Medical
Association
57-1 Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu
Seoul 156-800
Republic of Korea
Telephone: +82-2-2194-7250
Fax: +82-2-2194-7380
Website: www.healthtour.co.kr
Vung Tau Tourist Sanatorium
Medicoast
Nguyen Thi Mai
165 Thuy Van St. Thang Tam Ward
Vung Tau City, Viet Nam
Telephone: 84.64.853857 or 64.510756
Fax: 84.64.852395
Website: www.medicoast.com.au
Plataforma Turistica de Madrid
Plaza de la Independencia,6, Planta 3
Madrid 28001
Spain
Telephone: +34912767235
Fax: +34912767223
Website: www.madridnetwork.org/turismo
Veiovis
Country : Philippines
Website : www.veiovis.com
TRAVEL AGENCIES & HOSPITALITY
Asic Travel
08 Ramo Buildings, Elhay Elmotamaiez,
06th of October, Egypt
Phone : 20238379858
Fax : 20238379857
Website : www.asictravel.com
Celebrity Transportation Services, Inc.
220 SW 9th Avenue #204
Hallandale, Fl 33009
City : Hallandale, Florida
Country : USA
Phone : 954-328-6653
Website : www.ctsmiamilimo.com
Las Vegas Convention
& Visitors Authority
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV USA
89109
City : Las Vegas
Country : USA
Phone : 702 892 0711
Website : www.lvcva.com
Travel World International, Ltd.
Plot 3 Kimathi Avenue
Uganda Pan Africa Hse
PO Box 37017
Kampala, Uganda
City : Kampala
Country : Uganda
Phone : 256312261990
Website : wwwtravelugandasafaris.com
68
June / July 2011
Porto Alegre Healthcare Cluster
Travessa do Carmo St. 84 Rio Grande do Sul (RS)
Porto Alegre 90050-210
Brazil
Phone: 555132896717
Website: www.portoalegrehealthcare.org
ProExport Colombian Government
Trade Bureau
601 Brickell Key Dr
Ste 608
Miami, Fl USA
33131
City : Miami
Country : USA
Phone : 305-374-3144
Fax : 305-372-9365
Website : http://www.proexport.com.co
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS &
CHAMBERS
AAAHC International - Accreditation
Association for Ambulatory Healthcare
5250 Old Orchard Road Suite 200
Skokie, IL 60077
USA
Fax: 8478539028
Website: www.aaahc.org
CORPORATE MEMBERS
CORPORATE GOLD MEMBERS
Cardiac Care Europe a program by
Clinical Liaison Sourcing AG
16 Oberallmendstrasse, CH-6203 Zug,
Switzerland
City : Zug
Country : Switzerland
Phone : 41417660320
Website : www.cardiaccareeurope.com
Doctors Hospital
#1 Collins Avenue
P.O. Box N-3018
Nassau, Bahamas
Telephone: 242-302-4600
Fax: 242-323-4801
Website: www.doctorshosp.com
Equals3 Limited
The Custom House
EX 31 IEU
Barnstaple, Devon
United Kingdom
Telephone: 44 845 056 8432
Fax: 44 845 056 8432
Website: www.equals3.co.uk
GreenbergTraurig
450 South Orange Avenue
Suite 650
Orlando, Florida
32801
City : Orlando, Florida
Country : USA
Phone : 407-254-2641
Fax : 407-650-8428
Website : http://www.gtlaw.com
“Golden Health” Health Care
Services Company
“Golden Health” Health Care
Services Company
P.O. Box No. 5351
Abu Dhabi UAE
City : Abu Dhabi
Country : United Arab Emirates
Website : www.goldenhealth.ae
Istishari Hospital
44 Alkindi Street
Amman, 11184
City : Amman
Country : Jordan
Phone : 96265001000
Fax : 96265698833
Website : http://www.istisharihospital.com/
Programa Disfruta Salud Peru
Avda. Republica de Panama
San Isidro, Lima 3647
Peru
Telephone: 511 222 1222
Website: www.peruhealth.org
Konesens Research
389 Palm Coast Parkway SW, Ste. 4
Palm Coast, FL 32137
USA
Telephone:1-866-533-9808
Fax: 1-888-533-4883
Website: www.konesens.com
Sugery Facilities Resources
PO Box 9500
Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone : 847-775-1970
Fax : 847-775-1985
Website : http://www.
surgeryfacilitiesresources.com
Anekal Taluk
India
Telephone: 080-27835000
Fax: 080-27835207
Website: www.narayanahospitals.com
SurgeryOverseas.com
London
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 845 056 8432
Website : surgeryoverseas.com
The Nairobi Hospital
P.O. Box 30026
Nairobi, 00100
Kenya
Telephone: 254 020 2846001
Fax: 254 020 2728003
Website: www.nairobihospital.org
CORPORATE MEMBERS
AB Complete Medi-Tour LLC
1060 S. Japlin Way
Aurora, CO 80017
USA
Telephone: 720-529-8474
Fax: 720-748-1047
Advanced Practice Nurse International
1455 Pennslyvania Avenue NW, Suite 400
Washington DC, 20004
United States
Phone : 202-351-6835
Website : www.APNurseInternational.com
Advatech Healthcare PVT. Ltd.
302 Mayfair Swarnadeep, 323 Purbalok
Kolkata, West Bengal India 20099
City : Kolkata, West Bengal
Country : India
Phone : +9193397668653
Website : http://www.advatechhealth.com
AllMedicalTourism.com
70A, Club Street,
069 443
Singapore
Telephone: +44 (0) 845 057 4039
Fax: +44 (0) 845 057 4039
Website: www.AllMedicalTourism.com
Altera Health, Inc.
4 Coachman Court
East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816
USA
Telephone: 917-699-6300
AIMIS Spine (American Institute of
Minimal Invasive Spine Surgery)
Kolonakiou Ave 25,
Zavos Kolonakiou Center, Block A, Suite 201
Limassol, Cyprus
City : Limmassol
Country : Cyprus
Phone : 00357 25 873 387
Fax : 00357 25 320 370
Website : www.aimisspine.com
ASISER (Asisa Servicios Integrales De
Salud, S.A.U)
Av. Manoteras 24, 2nd Floor
Madrid 28050
Spain
Fax: 34917329769
Website: www.asiser.es
Cape Health Destination
PO BOX 29, By-Den Weg
Vlottenburg, 7604
Western Cape, South Africa
Telephone: 0027-21-8813603
Website: www.capehealth.co.za
Cardiac Care Europe a program by
Clinical Liaison Sourcing AG
16 Oberallmendstrasse, CH-6203 Zug,
Switzerland
Phone : 41417660320
Website : www.cardiaccareeurope.com
M TA M E M B E R
Caribbean Health Travel Magazine
c/ natail a sanchez No. 45
Santo Domingo, Republica Domnicana
Phone : 8097329400
Website : www.chtmagazine.com
Carpatia Group Pm
2 Burebista, BID14, SC 3, 4th Fl, Apt.
79-80
Bucharest 031108
Romania
Telephone: +40213228308
Fax: +40213228459
Website: www.carpatiagroup.com
Catalunya Turisme
Passeig de Gracia, 105-3a
Barcelona, 08008
Spain
Telephone: 34 934 849 900
Fax: 34 934 849 888
Website: www.catalunyaturisme.com
China Health Today.
3551 19th Avenue SW
Naples, Florida 34117
City : Naples
Country : USA
Phone : 866-768-1631
Fax : 239-244-8375
Website : www.chinahealthtoday.com
Clements International
1 Thomas Circle NW, 8th Floor,
Washington, DC 20005
USA
Telephone: 202-872-0060
Fax: 202-466-9064
Website: www.clements.com
Cosmas Health, LLC
3619 South Avenue
Springfield, MO 65807
USA
Telephone: 417-894-3359
Website: www.cosmashealth.com
Commission of Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools International
3600 Market St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2651
USA
Telephone: 215-222-8454
Fax: 215-495-0277
Website: www.cgfns.org
Costamed Clinics
Calle Primera Sur No 101
Cozumel, Mexico 77600
Telephone: (987)872-9400
Fax: (987)872-9400
Website: www.costamed.com.mx
CMN
150 Commerce Valley Drive West, 9th
Floor
Thornhill, ON L3T 7Z3
Canada
Telephone: 905-669-4333
Fax: 905-669-2221
Website: www.cmn-global.com
Debson-ITS
466 Strathrona
Westmount Quebec H342x1
Canada
Telephone: 1-888-933-2ITS(487)
Website: www.debsonits.com
DentalCareBudapest.com
190. Szabadsag Street
2040 Budaors
Hungary
Telephone: 36 30 333 8888
Website: www.dentalcarebudapest.com
Dentalight LLC
711 Bald Hills Road North
Round Top, New York 12473
USA
69
June / July 2011
DIRECTORY
Telephone: 518-250-2550
Fax: 208-955-6187
Website: www.dentalightimplants.com
Diversified Surgical Management, LP
1015 North Carroll, #2000
Dallas, Texas 75204
USA
Telephone: 214-843-0830
Fax: 214-853-4644
El Salvador Medical
Vipsal 1224
PO Box 025364
Miami FL 33102
City : El Salvador
Country : El Salvador
Phone : 503 226 34572
e-Medsol Pvt Ltd
34/1121 A, 129 BMRA
Balakrishna Menon Road
Cochin 682025
India
Telephone: 091-484-3250706,
9846170036
Website: www.emedsol.biz
Executive Education Programs UCLA
10960 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1550
Los Angeles, California 90024
USA
Telephone: 310 267 5600
Fax: 310 312 1711
Website: http://emph.ucla.edu
Fairmont Specialty
5 Christopher Way
Eatontown 07724
USA
Telephone: 732-676-9886
Fax: 732-542-4082
Florida Med-Retreat
1303 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34236
City : Florida
Country : United States of America
Phone : 9419536949
Fax : 9419536867
Website : www.floridamedretreat.com
Free Health, LLC.
Telephone: 561-792-4418
Fax: 561-792-4428
Website: www.freehealth.com
Gallup
111 South Wacker Suite 4850
Chicago IL 60603
USA
Telephone: 312-288-2432
Fax: 312-357-0856
Website: www.gallup.com
Global Benefit Options
10 Park Avenue, PO Box 25
Caldwell, NJ 07006
USA
Telephone: 201-433-2222
Fax: 973-226-7774
Website: www.globalbenefitoptions.com
Global Care Medical, Ltd.
Zabotinsky 53
Ramat Gan, Israel
City : Ramat Gan
Country : Israel
Phone : 00972-73-7888050
Website : www.gcmed.com
Global Healthcare Concierge LTD
PO Box 2277
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
USA
Phone: 631-532-1868
Fax: 631-204-6667
Website: www.globalhealthcareconcierge.com
Global Health, Inc.
3214 Charles B. Root Wynd, Suite 213
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612
USA
Telephone: 919-251-8605
Fax: 919-781-8782
Website: www.globalhealthinc.org
International Board of Medicine and
Surgery
P.O. Box 6009
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
USA
Telephone: 813-966-1431
Fax: 813-925-1932
Global Health Solutions, LLC
358 West Lake Drive
Edwardsville, IL 62025
USA
Telephone: 618-444-1552
International Healthcare by Design
40 Annesley Ave
Toronto, Ontario M462T7
Canada
Telephone: 416-696-0000
Fax: 416-696-0011
Global Surgery Providers, Inc.
284 South Main Street
Suite 1000
Alpharetta, Georgia 30188
USA
Telephone: 877-866-8558
Website: www.globalsurgerynetwork.com
Invest Barbados
Trident Financial Center
Hastings, Christ Church
Barbados, BB15156
Telephone: 246-626-2000
Fax: 246-626-2097
Website: www.investbarbados.org
Green4Care
24 Rue Louis Blanc
Paris, France
75010
City : Paris
Country : France
Fax : 01.55.26.94.95
Website : http://www.green4care.org
Istishari Hospital
44 Alkindi Street
Amman, 11184
City : Amman
Country : Jordan
Phone : 96265001000
Fax : 96265698833
Website : http://www.istisharihospital.com/
Hayes, Inc.
157 S. Broad Street
Lansdale, PA 19446
USA
Telephone: 215-855-0615
Fax: 215-855-5218
Website: www.hayesinc.com
Kahler Grand Hotel
20 SW Second Ave
Rochester, Minnesota 55906
USA
Telephone: 507-280-6200
Fax: 507-285-2586
Website: www.kahler.com
Health Links International
11435 Drummond Court
Dallas, TX 75228
USA
Telephone: 214-564-7341 U.S.
Fax: 888-235-0208
International Fax: 425-974-7902
Website: www.healthlinksintl.com
MedicalTourism.com
SJO 6767, 2011 NW, 79th Avenue, Doral
Miami FL 33122
USA
Telephone: 305-600-5763
Fax: 305-397-2893
Website: www.medicaltourism.com
Health Travel Guides
600 Townsend Street, Suite 120e
San Francisco, CA 94103
City : California
Phone : 415-412-4811
Website : http://www.healthtravelguides.com
HLV Health N Heal Pvt. Ltd.
K-13 A Green Park Extn
India 110016
City : New Delhi
Country : India
Phone : 911126180125
Fax : 911126180129
Website : www.healthnheal.com
Homewatch CareGivers
7100E. Belleview Ave., Suite 303
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
USA
Telephone: 303-758-5111
Fax: 303-758-1724
Website: www.homewatchcaregivers.com
Hospital Scout
Betenstr, 13-15
Dortmund 44137
Dortmund, Germany
Phone : 492319144880
Fax : 4923191448888
Website : www.hospitalscout.com
Indra Farmacia Holistica Alternativa
Prol Chabacano no. 20
El Portico Corporate Office
Queretaro Mexico
76902
City : Queretaro
Country : Mexico
Phone : 52 442 411 8804
Website : www.indrafarmacias.com
Medical Treatments Management
5940 S. Rainbow Blvd. Ste. 1001
Las Vegas, NV. 89118
United States
Phone : 1-866-206-4174
Fax : 702-650-2292
Website : www.mte101.com
Medical Tour Experts, Inc.
340 South Lemon Avenue #7012
Los Angeles, Ca. 91789
USA
Phone: 1-800-870-6059
Website: mtmweb.biz
Medi Czech
Lazarska 13/8
Prague Czech Republic
12000
City : Prague
Country : Czech Republic
Phone : 420 222 542949
Website : http://www.mediczech.com
MediNav International Pty. Ltd.
18 St Vincents Crt
Minyana QLD Australia 4575
City : Minyama
Country : Australia
Phone : 61 408715697
Website : www.medinavinternational.com
Medichol PTY LTD.
443 The Panorama
Gold Coast, QLD
Australia 4213
Phone: +61 438 932 753
Fax: +61 7 5525 3654
Website : www.medichol.com
Medilink (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
404 Phaholyothin Road
Samsaennai, Phayathai,
Bangkok Thailand 10400
City : Bangkok
M TA M E M B E R
Country : Thailand
Phone : +662 619 2222
Fax : +662 619 2209
Website : www.medilink.co.th
Medipassion Healing Inc.
33 Place Des Outaouais
L’ile Perrot, QC J7V8K7
Canada
Telephone: 514-577 7451
Fax: 1-800-410-0279
MedPro Bavaria GmbH
Falkenbach 75
Freyung 94078
Germany
Telephone: +49 8551 913528
Fax: +49 8551 913456
Website: www.medprobavaria.de
Med Tours Latinamerica
9a Avenue Sur + 12 C.Ote. 22A Colonia
Utila. Santa Tecla, La Libertad
El Salvador, Central America
City : Santa Tecla, La Libertad
Country : El Salvador Central America
Phone : 503-2229-3000
Website : www.labcofasa.com
MedTravel Ecuador
Av. de los Shyris 2811 e Isla Floreana
Quito, Ecuador
Telephone: 593-2 2433307
Fax: 593-2 2445364
Website: www.medtravelecuador.com
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and
Popeo
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02081
USA
Telephone: (617) 348-1757
MOH Holdings Pte Ltd
83 Clemenceau Ave., #15-03 UE Square
Singapore 239920
Singapore
Telephone: +65-6622-0956
Fax: +65-6720-0980
Website: www.mohh.com.sg
Anekal Taluk
City : Bangalore
Country : India
Phone : 080-27835000
Fax : 080-27835207
Website : www.narayanahospitals.com
Nirmal Hospitalities
Siddanth Villa, Plot No 54157,
Rsc 13, Goral II
480092
Mumbai,Maharastr India
City : Mumbai
Country : India
Phone : 91 098 333 70334
Fax : 91 22 28693823
Website : www.nirmalhospitalities.com
DIRECTORY
Operations Worldwide Ltd
Trans-World House, 100 City Road
London, EC1Y2BP
United Kingdom
Telephone: +4402078710172
Fax: +4402078710101
Website: www.yoursugeryabroad.com
Orbicare, LLC
2731 Executive Park Drive Suite 7
Weston, Florida USA
33331
City : Weston
Country : USA
Phone : 954 217 1116
Fax : 954 217 1113
Website : www.orbicare.com
Seattle’s Convention and Visitors
Bureau
701 Pike Suite 800
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: 206-461-5828
Website: www.visitseattle.org
Perot Systems Services
Mariano Otero 1249 WTC Torre Atlántico
Piso. 7
Col. Rinconadas del Bosque
Jalisco 44530
México
Website: www.perotsystems.com.mx
Shanghai Sunshiny Health
Consulting Co. Ltd.
Rm 2208 No. 337 Zhon Zhu Road
Shanghai International Medical Zone
Pudong 201318
Shanghai
China
Phone: 0086-571-87215526
Fax: 0086-571-8726575
Physicians Alliance Limited
#3 Grosvenor Close, Shirley Street, PO
BOX EE17022
Nassau
Bahamas
Telephone: 242-326-4460
Fax:242 326 8874
Website: www.physiciansalliancelimited.com
Premier Healthcare Professionals Inc
2450 Atlanta Hwy, Suite 601
Cumming, GA 30040
USA
Telephone:678-460-1008
Fax: 678-460-1009
Website: www.travelphp.com
Premiere Medical Travel Company, LLC
James McCormick MD
6303 Owensmouth Avenue, 10th Floor
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-2622
Telephone: 818-917-6189
Fax: 818-936-2101
Proglobal Today Inc.
362 Maple Avenue
Washington, PA 15301
USA
Telephone: 724-328-3139
Fax: 724-222-9525
Puerto Rico Med Links
PO Box 1622
Morovis, Puerto Rico 00687
USA
Telephone: 787-270-4060
Fax: 787-270-4061
Website: www.prmedlinks.com
Re:Group Inc.
213 West Liberty St. Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
USA
Telephone: 734-327-6606
Fax: 734-327-6636
www.regroup.us
OneWorld Global Healthcare
Solutions LLC
300 East Club Circle Boca Raton, FL
33487
USA
Telephone: 248-250-3221
Fax: 248-547-7769
Website:
www.oneworldglobalhealthcaresolutions.com
Rex Moulton-Barrett, MD, Inc.
2070 Clinton Avenue 4th Floor
Alameda, Ca
94501
City : Alameda, California
Country : USA
Phone : 510-864-1800
Fax : 510-864-1180
Website : www.moulton-barrett.com
June / July 2011
Sanivisit International LLC
City : Reston, Virginia
Country : USA
Phone : 1-877-836-3233
Fax : 1-703-910-3545
Passport Medical Inc.
#355 W Olympic Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Telephone: 800-721-4445
Fax: 866-716-4449
Website:www.passportmedical.com
NursesNow International
Av. Hidalgo 2609 Col. Obispado
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64800
Mexico
Telephone: +528181234849
Fax: +528181234851
Website: www.nni.com.mx
70
RSU Healthcare Company Limited
11th Floor RGU Tower
571 Surhumvit 31, Surhumvit Rd
Wattana Dist, 10110
Bangkok, Thailand
City : Bangkok
Country : Thailand
Phone : 66 2 610 0300
Fax : 66 2 259 7787
Website : www.RSUHealth.com
Siam Wellness Services Ltd.
622 Emporium Tower 22nd Floor
22/7, Klongton, Klongtoey
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Telephone: +66 2664 9091
Fax: +66 2664 9094
Website: www.siamwellness.com
Southeastern Spine Center and
Research Institute
5922 Cattlemen Lane Suite 201
Sarasota, Florida 34232
USA
Phone: 941-371-9773
Fax: 941-556-0341
Website: southeasternspinecenter.com
Spur Interactive
3701 Kirby, Suite 1290
Houston, Texas 77098
USA
Telephone: 713-357-7101
Fax: 281-664-4745
Website: www.spurinteractive.com
Stackpole & Associates
1018 Beacon Street, Suite 201
Brookline, MA, 02446-4058
USA
Telephone: 617-739-5900
Website: www.stackpoleassociates.com
Sunflower Health Travel International
4850 Sapphire Way
Cypress CA 90630
USA
Telephone: 714-600-8485
Sunshine Medical Tourism, LLC
18950 US HWY 441 Ste. 205
Mount Dora, FL 32757
USA
Telephone: 352-638-3578
Website: www.SunshineMedicalTourism.com
Surgery Facilities Resources
PO Box 9500 Gurnee, IL 60031
USA
Telephone: 847-775-1970
Fax: 847-775-1985
Website: www.surgeryfacilitiesresources.com
Surgery Host (Servicio Medico de
Tramites e Implantes S C)
Ermita 1588-A
Zapopan, Jalisco 45046
Mexico
Telephone: 523335639981
Fax: 523336471806
Website: www.surgeryhost.com
Surgery Solutions Abroad
100 Pine Ln
Oak Ridge, 37830
USA
Telephone: 865-441-5432
Fax: 865-481-0194
Website: www.surgerysolutionsabroad.com
The Crowne Group, Inc.
1552 Boren Drive, Suite 100
Ocoee, FL 34761
USA
Telephone: 407-654-5414
Fax: 407-654-9614
Website: www.crowneinc.com
Transmed Tourism LLC
7629 Wynndel Way
Elk Grove, 95758
USA
Telephone: 916-752-5539
Fax: 916-647-4876
Website: www.transmedtourism.com
U’REKA S’CAPADE SDN. BHD
No. 726, Wisma Yoon Cheng, Unit A-5-1
(Level 05), 4 1/2 mile, Ipoh Road
Kuala Lumpur, 51200
Malaysia
Telephone: +6 03-62586321/+6 0362525388
Fax: +6 03-62505040/+6 03-62515144
Website: www.urekascapade.com
UBIFrance-French Trade Office
3475 Piedmont Rd. NE, Suite 1840
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
USA
Telephone: 404-495-1667
Fax: 404-495-1696
Website: www.ubifrance.fr
UCLA School of Public Health
EMPH Program
10960 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1550
Los Angeles, California 90024
USA
Phone: 310-267-5600
Fax: 310-312-1711
Website: www.emph.ucla.edu/index.asp
URAC
1220 L Street NW Suite 400 Washington,
D.C. 20005 USA
Telephone: (202) 216-9010
Fax: (202) 216-9006
Website: www.urac.org
URUHEALTH
(Health & Tourism in Uruguay)
Dr. Marcelo Rodriguez
Av. Ricaldoni 2452
Montevideo 11600 Uruguay
Telephone: (+598) 27114444
Fax: (+598) 27114444
Website: www.uruhealth.com
Via Belleza
Av. 15 Las Delicias No. 59-330
Maracaibo 4005
Venezuela
Telephone: 58 414 3606 725 n
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71
June / July 2011

GREAT HOSPITALS GREAT DOCTORS

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