Medical tourism is brought about by the following factors: increasing healthcare prices in North America and Europe, long waiting period in the national health system of some western European countries, improved medical technology in developing countries, ease and affordability of international travel, competitive healthcare prices in developing countries, and fun and relaxation in an exotic destination.

The primary concern of a medical tourist is the medical treatment or the health and wellness concern he needs to address at the soonest possible time. His budget primarily and largely goes to the medical treatment he came over for (operation cost, doctors’ fees, hospital room, etc). The extra money he has will be spent on getting to know the places nearby in the remaining days left on his visa. He may also splurge most of his remaining money on a farther destination such as a water resort that he has aspired to see since the place is probably been touted to be a paradise in Internet websites.

The medical tourist has set aside his health and leisure dollar or euro, but he is not relatively rich. He is someone who is likely not insured in his First World country, or someone who cannot afford private healthcare in the US because the medical treatment he needs is not covered by his insurance. He chose to travel halfway around the globe to, say, an exotic Asian destination for warmer climate and a different atmosphere, plus of course the cheaper cost of medical treatment and healthcare outside his country.

The medical tourist will need a little downtime during post-treatment convalescence, and thus avail of activities that are restive, relaxed, and pleasurable. He, therefore, cannot really move around extensively and vigorously. While in this strange land for a few days, he is curious to know and experience first-hand the culture and history, sights and sounds of this place that he has known only through Internet websites.

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Via Quezi/PressReleasePoint/Inquirer