Medical tourism is a type of tourism that is growing around the world. People travel for medical treatment for many reasons- to find cheaper cosmetic or dental treatment, to access better healthcare than is available at home, to avoid long waiting lists, or to obtain procedures that are not available in their home country. This article explains what medical tourism is, the main types of medical tourism, popular destinations and the risks involved.
What is medical tourism?
Ever heard of ‘Turkey teeth’? The phrase has become widely used in the UK, and it is just one example of medical tourism.
Medical tourism is when a person travels to another country (or another part of their home country, as a domestic tourist) to undergo a medical procedure. Many trips are for cosmetic or dental treatment, but people also travel for essential treatment such as orthopaedic surgery, fertility treatment or cancer care.
In the past, medical tourism generally meant people travelling from lower-income countries to obtain treatment in countries with more advanced healthcare systems. Today, it is often the other way round- many people from wealthier countries travel to countries such as Turkey, India, Mexico and Thailand because treatment is cheaper there or waiting times are shorter.
People may also travel because the treatment they want is not available or approved in their home country- for example, certain experimental cancer treatments, or fertility treatments that are restricted by law at home.
Video: The rise of medical tourism
Medical tourism definitions
The CDC website defines and describes medical tourism as follows:
Medical tourism is when a person travels to another country for medical care. Each year, millions of US residents participate in medical tourism. Medical tourists from the United States commonly travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
People may travel to another country to get health care for many reasons, including:
- Cost: To get treatment or a procedure that may be cheaper in another country.
- Culture: To receive care from a healthcare provider who shares the traveler’s culture and language.
- Unavailable or Unapproved procedure: To get a procedure or therapy that is not available or approved in the United States.
The most common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism trips include dental care, surgery, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, organ and tissue transplantation, and cancer treatment.
This definition focuses on the USA, but it applies more broadly too. The World Health Organisation has a similar definition of medical tourism:
Medical tourists elect to travel across international borders to receive some form of medical treatment
- Treatments may span the full range of medical services
- Most common: dental care, cosmetic surgery, elective surgery, and fertility treatment – OECD, 2010
No agreed definition of medical tourism exist; as a result methods applied by countries vary substantially
- Some countries count foreign patients’ visits to hospitals whereas others count the entry of individual patients into the country
- Other countries record nationality but not place of residence of patients, can be problematic when migrants return to home country for treatment – WHO, 2011
Types of medical tourism
There are many different types of medical tourism. As mentioned, some visits are for cosmetic treatment whereas some are for life-saving medical treatment. According to Madre Healthcare (an Indian company specialising in medical tourism), the top 10 types of medical tourism are:
- Dental/dentistry
- Orthopedics
- Cosmetic/plastic surgery
- Cardiology
- Bariatric surgery
- Fertility treatment
- Eye surgery
- Ears, nose and throat
- Organ transplants
- Rehabilitation
Medical tourism companies
Various companies have capitalised on the growth in medical tourism, offering package deals that make these trips easier to arrange. These specialist medical travel facilitators can arrange consultations and appointments as well as travel, visas, accommodation and aftercare, and some also arrange sightseeing for recovering patients.
Market research firms expect the global medical tourism market to continue growing strongly. However, the quality and regulation of providers varies considerably between countries and clinics, so careful research is essential.
Simply search for ‘medical tourism company based in’ followed by your home country if you are looking for someone to help you navigate booking medical treatment abroad!
Some well-known hospital groups that treat large numbers of international patients include:
- Bumrungrad International Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand)
- Apollo Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare (India)
- Acıbadem and Memorial hospital groups (Turkey)
Medical tourism destinations
There are certain places where medical tourism is most popular. These include parts of Europe, Central America and Asia, as well as the USA. Some of the leading destinations, and what makes them popular, are outlined below.
- India
- Turkey
- Brazil
- Thailand
- Czech Republic
Medical tourism in India
Medical tourism is big business in India, which the government promotes through its ‘Heal in India’ initiative and dedicated e-Medical visas. Most medical tourists come from neighbouring South Asian countries, the Middle East and Africa. India combines relatively low costs with modern hospitals, and many doctors have trained abroad and speak English, which reduces language barriers.
The top locations within India for medical tourism are Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Kerala. In terms of the most popular treatments available in India to medical tourists, they are as follows:
- Alternative medicine
- Bone-marrow transplants
- Cardiac bypass
- Eye surgery
- Hip replacements
Costs for many procedures can be a fraction of what they would be in the UK or the USA, which is a major reason for India’s popularity.
Medical tourism in Turkey
‘Turkey teeth’ became a popular phenomenon, especially among young people in the UK. Dental Hygiene Studio describes it as follows:
‘Turkey Teeth’ is a new phrase to describe super-white, super-square teeth which millennials in particular are keen to get. Social media influencers are going abroad because they are impressed by slick looking clinics and cheaper prices.
Turkey is one of the world’s leading medical tourism destinations, particularly for dental work, hair transplants and cosmetic surgery, and it is only a short flight from the UK and much of Europe. However, the UK Foreign Office and NHS have warned about the risks of medical tourism, and a number of British patients have died or suffered serious complications after procedures in Turkey, so travellers are urged to research clinics carefully.
Hair transplants are another major draw, and Istanbul is often described as the hair transplant capital of the world. Health tourism in Turkey is regulated by the Ministry of Health, and the government has invested heavily in promoting the sector.
Medical tourism in Brazil
The world’s 5th largest country is popular with tourists for its weather and iconic landmarks, and now for its medical procedures. It has a large private healthcare sector with many internationally accredited hospitals. In many cases citizens of nearby, lesser-developed countries opt to undertake medical procedures in Brazil. But it is also now a global destination for medical tourism!
Brazil is particularly famous for cosmetic surgery- it is one of the countries where the most cosmetic procedures are performed worldwide. Costs can be lower than in the USA, although top surgeons can charge as much as their US counterparts.
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the main centres for medical tourism in Brazil.
Medical tourism in Thailand
Thailand is one of Asia’s leading medical tourism destinations, although official figures on patient numbers have been questioned. This study shows how the numbers might be skewed.
Most people head over here for minor elective/cosmetic surgeries. Thailand also offers fantastic spine and orthopedic surgeries and treatment. Many of its private hospitals are internationally accredited. Medical tourists visit Thailand from all over the world, with many from Eastern-Med destinations as well as Southeast Asia and Europe. Thailand also offers long-stay medical treatment visas to attract patients.
Thailand is also a popular holiday destination, so some patients combine minor procedures with recovery in a relaxing setting- although doctors advise against activities such as swimming, sunbathing and flying too soon after surgery.
Medical tourism in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a popular medical tourism destination in Europe. With high standards, quality care and a beautiful setting, it is easy to see why Prague (the country’s capital) is such a popular destination for this type of travel.
For pre-and-post-op treatment, there are the country’s historic spa towns, such as Karlovy Vary, are also popular. Czech medical teams have great results in terms of cardiology, orthopaedics and neurology as well as cosmetic surgery. Costs are much lower, they have the latest technology and the city has so much to see and do. It is also a short flight from the UK and much of Europe.
The risks of medical tourism
Medical tourism can offer real benefits, but it also carries risks. These include complications from surgery, poor hygiene standards in some clinics, communication problems due to language barriers, a lack of aftercare once the patient returns home, and difficulties in seeking compensation if something goes wrong. Flying soon after surgery can also increase the risk of blood clots.
In the UK, the NHS and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise anyone considering treatment abroad to research the clinic and surgeon carefully, check qualifications and accreditation, understand what aftercare is included and check that their travel insurance covers medical treatment. Complications from cosmetic surgery abroad are also a growing cost for the NHS.
Medical tourism: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about medical tourism.
What is medical tourism?
Medical tourism is when people travel to another country (or another part of their own country) to receive medical treatment, such as dental work, cosmetic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, fertility treatment or cancer care.
Why do people travel for medical treatment?
The main reasons are lower costs, shorter waiting times, access to treatments that are not available or approved at home, and the chance to receive care from providers who share the patient’s language or culture.
What are the most popular medical tourism destinations?
Popular destinations include Turkey, India, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia and the Czech Republic. Turkey is especially popular with UK patients for dental work and hair transplants.
What are ‘Turkey teeth’?
‘Turkey teeth’ is a popular term for very white, uniform teeth created by having crowns or veneers fitted in Turkey, a trend popularised on social media. Dentists have warned that some treatments involve filing down healthy teeth and can cause long-term problems.
What are the risks of medical tourism?
Risks include surgical complications, poor hygiene in some clinics, language barriers, limited aftercare, blood clots from flying soon after surgery and difficulty obtaining compensation. Patients are advised to research clinics carefully and check their insurance.
Further reading
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