Medical Tourism, the New Trend

It used to be unheard of to go see a doctor in another country for a medical procedure. But in recent years, it has become more common for Americans to seek medical care overseas. This has become more possible due to technology trends and benefit foreign economies. Also these trends may or may not benefit patients. This has pushed insurance companies to consider adding global plans to their policies. Due to globalization, medical tourism has become a new trend and has changed economies around the world.

Technology has become very advanced over the years. Because of technology, the internet was created. The internet has made many things possible and easier to do. For example, it is easier to send information around the world and to work with people in other countries. Medical care in the U.S. has become very expensive forcing some to go without care or find cheaper care. Because of this Americans use the internet to connect with doctors in other countries such as India since medical procedures are cheaper there.

Globalization of healthcare helps foreign economies rather than helping the U.S. economy. Since medical tourism attracts people to other countries, those economies are benefiting. The foreign countries are being stimulated which brings in capital for those countries (Globalization, n.d.). Medical tourism increases the amount of jobs available and promotes the local people to further their education to obtain those jobs. The increased amount of jobs and capital also benefit the foreign economies by increasing the quality of life in the country (Globalization, n.d.). The United States loses out on these benefits especially since the country hasn’t been able to attract as much medical tourism like that of other countries. The U.S. also loses capital due to many citizens seeking cheaper medical care or illegal procedures in other countries.

Globalization of healthcare may not be good for patients. Other countries do not have the same standards and morals as Americans do. Therefor an American would have to consider the risks involved in seeking medical care overseas. One risk to consider is that other countries such as India have diseases that are not found here in the United States (Iordache et al. 2013). Because of this, American’s do not have the built in immunity to those diseases and may have a difficult time fighting them off if they are exposed. Another risk to consider is the quality of post-surgery care. Standards for care in foreign hospitals may be different than in those in the United States. Also there can be an increased risk for complications due to patients having to travel right after a procedure is performed (Iordache et al. 2013). Language and cultural differences