After finalizing a destination for your medical tourism to take place, it can be difficult for medical tourists to select a particular hospital for treatment considering you’re thousands of miles away and only have the respective hospitals’ websites to compare and make a decision.
We want to make this choice easier for our medical tourism patients by assembling a checklist that will help select hospitals abroad for treatment. Medical tourists should shortlist a few clinics and then use the following considerations to select their final hospital.
- Accreditation
Medical tourists should check before their medical travel if the hospitals abroad have any international accreditation. International accreditation bodies take the guesswork out of the hospital research process by evaluating hospitals and examining if they meet specific healthcare standards.
- Distance
Another essential aspect to consider is the distance to a medical tourism destination. Traveling to hospitals abroad is for the medical tourist’s benefit, but it’s crucial to think about the complication that air travel can bring in debilitating conditions. We recommend choosing a destination which is not very far from your home.
- Expense
It is a good idea to compare prices between different hospitals if you are on a budget. Various hospitals abroad within the same country can also have widely different prices for the same treatment. Don’t forget to clarify your treatment cost with the hospital of your choice before booking your medical tourism trip.
- Doctors And Hospital Staff
Most hospitals have doctors’ profiles listed on their website. But, it is always a good idea to ask about the doctor who will treat you. Check the doctors training qualification, and the amount and the kind of experience for the doctor in that medical field. Besides, you should inquire about the hospital staff that will attend to you as well.
- Safety Profile
All hospitals abroad should gladly provide you with the safety level for the hospital. During your research, check for complaints, reviews, and accidents in recent years. For additional safety, you should also ask about any recent infection episodes and inspections by regulatory bodies.
- Facilities
Always check the facilities provided by the hospitals abroad to their medical tourists. What kind of rooms are available and assigned to you? Does the hospital provide airport pickup? What languages are spoken by the hospital staff, and are translators available? And unquestionably ask if you have to pay extra to obtain certain facilities.
- Medical Equipment And Technology
Research all the information related to the procedure you want to get treatment for. Are there any new technologies or equipment available for that treatment? You can also ask the hospital if any new types or methods of treatment are available. A good hospital will often update its equipment with new developments in the medical field.
Before choosing a hospital abroad, it is essential to ask yourself which of the above points matter most to you? It often comes down between two different considerations. For example, if cost-saving is your top priority, the hospital abroad you choose might not have the most up and coming up medical technology available. So, consider your preferences and use our checklist above to make an informed choice in your medical tourism trip.
