Demystifying medical travel

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Medical travel has seen a phenomenal surge in the United States. With more and more people considering this option for cost-effective health care, the media has quickly picked up, and before long, medical travel has reached mainstream media exposure, further helping spread public awareness.

But in the course of information dissemination, several erroneous notions about medical travel have found their way into the public consciousness. And while it may hold true in some isolated cases, an overwhelming number of the cases would prove otherwise, thus classifying them as myths which need to be debunked:

Medical procedures done abroad are always riskier

All medical procedures entail risks, whether they are performed within or outside the country. Also, medical travel agencies are sensitive of the clients’ regard for quality, which is why they do their best to ensure that the hospitals they are affiliated with are of the highest caliber. Steven Lash, for example, personally makes sure that hospitals in the Satori Global Network equal, if not surpass, the quality of medical care being provided by domestic hospitals.

 

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Medical travel is exclusive for cosmetic procedures

Probably the main reason for this misconception is the excessive promotion of cosmetic surgery packages in mainstream media. But nothing can be farther from the truth. Satori World Medical, for example, offers over 150 procedure packages in a wide range of medical specializations—from cardiac to dental.

Medical travel is a tour package with some medical procedure thrown in

Because medical travel agencies use exotic places to help them market their services, many people eventually got the impression that tourism is the primary purpose of medical travel. However, some sight-seeing may only be possible for non-invasive procedures or those with minimal recovery time. Those who will undergo major surgeries, however, may be advised to stay in total bed rest to help expedite total recovery, thus deterring them from having any side trips in their destinations.

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After breaking into the medical travel scene in 2008, Steven Lash has led Satori World Medical into unprecedented success. This Facebook page shares more information on medical travel.

Social media: Outperforming other communication mediums in medical travel

The medical travel industry is continuing to see rapid growth no matter how saturated it currently is, with more medical travel service companies popping up to take advantage of the lucrative business that comes with its increased acceptance and use. Most of this increased acceptance may be attributed to medical travel companies’ use of social media, which helps them directly communicate with and market to audiences and potential customers.

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The International Medical Travel Exhibition and Conference (IMTEC) was a two-day conference that seeks to be a platform that both medical service providers and their customers can use to better understand the latest trends and what really drives the medical travel industry. In addition to discussing the growing importance of technology and social media in the continued growth of the medical travel industry, topics such as patient rights, literacy, cross-border healthcare, more aggressive marketing, travel facilitation and transparency, and the consumerization of healthcare were also tackled. One of the main challenges to more mainstream acceptance of medical travel that was discussed was the creation of an environment where people can be easily educated regarding their rights and entitlements in overseas or cross-border healthcare using social media. Due to its popularity and its broad reach, social media is in the best position to provide this environment, outperforming traditional methods of communication.

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People getting onboard the medical travel bandwagon are most likely searching for the best doctors and the best hospitals outside the country, and through social media, medical travel service companies can easily assist them in doing so.

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Steven Lash is the founder and CEO of Satori World Medical in San Diego. More information about medical travel can be found at the Satori website.

The unprecedented growth of medical travel

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When the prospect of medical travel was still in its infancy, many people were skeptical. They would ask, “Why would someone have to go outside of the country just to have some medical procedures performed?” Some dismissed it as a mere fad, something that will eventually fall out of trend and ultimately be forgotten.

If recent surveys could speak for themselves, however, the abovementioned preconception would be refuted.

The International Medical Travel Journal’s Medical Tourism Climate Survey 2013 shows that the medical travel sector is seeing a solid surge in the number of patients who went out of the country for the past year, with researchers expecting the trend to continue further for the next few months.

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In congruence, an overwhelming 80 percent of the study’s respondents portended the continued rise of international patients over the next year, with almost half of them going so far as predicting a 10 percent growth over the next five years. The survey covered over 400 clinics, hospitals, and medical travel facilitators in over 70 countries.

This positive outlook for the medical travel industry greatly benefits companies that provide travel packages to willing consumers. Steven Lash of Satori World Medical, a leading medical travel agency, believes that the industry’s growth potential may be driven by the constantly rising medical costs in the domestic healthcare scene. Amid this problem, medical travel provides a viable option that doubles as a financial and medical benefit: high-quality and world-class health care for much more affordable rates.

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Under the competent leadership of Steven Lash, Satori World Medical has helped lead the growth of the medical travel industry in the US. Learn more about the company’s services through its website.

Ankle fusion: The surgical solution to painful ankles

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Osteoarthritis is a painful and debilitating disease that provides for a very unpleasant experience for those who unfortunately have it. The disease is also degenerative, which means that the structure and functions of the organs affected will gradually deteriorate with the passage of time.

A joint that is most frequently affected by osteoarthritis is the ankle joint, which is essential to a person’s locomotion. Due to its location, the joint takes on a weight-bearing role, which also means that it is more susceptible to the wear and tear that comes with the acquisition of the disease.

If the ankle pain becomes so unbearable that all activities of daily living (ADLs) are practically hindered, then orthopedic specialists might recommend ankle fusion (also known as ankle arthrodesis), a surgical procedure that aims to treat a worn-out joint.

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During the procedure, the surgeon gently removes the surfaces of the ankle joint, thus allowing the tibia (the shinbone) to grow and eventually fuse with the talus (the bone immediately below the tibia and the fibula). The surgery also involves the implantation of fixation devices, either internal or external, to ensure a proper fusion of the bones involved. Fusion is then promoted by the insertion of bone-graft material which is often obtained from a different part of the body.

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People who are currently living with degenerative arthritis need not suffer the excruciating pain brought by their condition. To learn how you can undergo ankle fusion surgery under Satori World Medical’s Global Network, visit this website.

Why it’s a good idea to seek addiction therapy abroad

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For many Americans, seeking medical care abroad has become a viable solution, especially to surgical procedures which are financially daunting when performed domestically. This medical travel option has also included several procedures which may as well be performed in the US—among which is addiction therapy.

At first, addiction therapy abroad may sound like a ridiculous idea, especially because it would entail the patients to be thousands of miles away from their families for a long time. However, unknown to others are the many advantages of undergoing this kind of therapy overseas.

Foremost is the protection of the patient’s identity. Though it is not implied that domestic rehabilitation centers cannot provide for patient confidentiality, the fact remains that the farther the patients are from their source community, the lesser chances that their rehabilitation will ever be known to other people.

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Another reason that people consider is the greatly needed change in environment, which may drastically improve treatment outcomes. This will help remove any association with past behaviors, making unfamiliar places much more conducive to the full recovery of a substance abuser.

Last, but also of great importance, is the treatment’s affordability. If performed domestically, costs of undergoing therapy may be expensive, which means that middle-class families may have to settle for institutions with subpar facilities. Should patients decide to undergo therapy abroad, not only will they be paying a fraction of US costs, they also get to stay at luxurious institutions.

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Satori World Medical, a premier medical travel agency led by Steven Lash, has a Global Network of health institutions that offer addiction therapy. If you are interested in undergoing the procedure abroad, visit this website.

Medical travelers display firm desires to maintain active lives, study shows

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One change that medical travel has brought is people’s attitudes toward health care.

This study affirms this when researchers observed the attitudinal characteristics of medical travel patients. The study showed that compared to other patients reported on the existing qualitative hip and knee surgery literature, medical travelers are:

• Less likely to question their need for surgery.

• Active in their pursuit for medical intervention and maintain active lives.

• Comfortable with taking control of health-related decisions.


"I needed to get the care for me. I’d waited long enough here. I knew I would get it there [India], and that was my main concern. And you know they, they took care of my needs immediately… That’s why I went over. My needs were taken care of right away," said a woman participant who went to India for a knee replacement surgery.

Why medical travel?

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BMC Health Service Research explains that orthopedic surgery is one of the procedures sought by international patients at medical travel hospitals, like those accredited by Steven Lash’s Satori World Medical. Although such procedure is being offered in the patients’ home country, it is more affordable in countries like Mexico, Poland, Thailand, and India.

Whatever it takes, those attitudinal characteristics can be used by osteoarthritis caregivers to better serve their patients who are considering taking health care abroad.

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Led by Steven Lash, Satori World Medical is affiliated with a number of top-notch health institutions from around the world. Its official website provides information on orthopedic surgical procedures and wellness options overseas.

Factors to consider in medical travel: Consistency, complications, and qualification

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Although the number of Americans opting for medical travel may have increased during the past couple of years, mostly due to the rise in healthcare costs, not a lot of them know the risks associated with medical travel. Moreover, some of them don’t properly research the subject, especially if their sights are set only at the potential savings they can earn by having their medical procedures done outside of the US.

Health.CVS.com lists the following risks that people should know when considering medical travel:

• Consistency of care. Many things are involved in getting the proper health care, including ample preparations before and after surgery. Although overseas care is relatively safe, taking proper precautions is still advised, such as obtaining insurance coverage and getting a copy of the patient’s medical records prior to the return trip to the US, in case any complications may arise.

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• Legal complications. One of the many reasons why health care in the US is very expensive is that every patient has legal protection against anything that might go wrong during or after the procedure. Overseas care might not have such protections.

• Quality of care. Although a lot of hospitals overseas offer the same services, not all of them offer the same quality of care. This is why it is highly recommended for patients to seek care in overseas hospitals that are accredited by the Joint Commission International.

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Medical travel is not just about spending less for healthcare services. Knowing the risks that come with this option is important, as it could prevent financial and medical risks, which may be life-threatening.

Steven Lash, one of San Diego’s most prominent visionaries, established Satori World Medical in order to provide Americans with safe and efficient medical travel services. More information on how medical travel can help you is available on the company’s website.

The appeal of doctors with a more personal approach to patients

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With the growth of the medical travel industry around the world, patient attitudes have also significantly shifted. The low costs on medical treatment are no longer the primary concern, as many have shifted their attention to a more complete healthcare package that prioritizes full recovery through high-quality care, dependable post-treatment support, and a high level of comfort.

Steven Lash, president and CEO of Satori World Medical, previously revealed that medical travel gives patients the opportunity to travel to medical institutions overseas for the best treatment they can get, however they define it.

Patients, of course, have different priorities. Apart from getting the treatment they need, they also have certain requirements that they want fulfilled in order to be fully satisfied with their treatment. For many people, a physician with good bedside manners can make the experience more comfortable.

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The presence of advanced diagnostic tools in hospitals has made healthcare delivery more efficient. However, with the dependence on these tools, doctors and patients have been robbed of many opportunities to interact in the most basic way. Many people are already intimidated by doctors and hospital procedures, and an impersonal approach may make things more terrifying for them.

Medical travelers have found solace in doctors abroad, many of whom have been reported to treat their patients with a more personal approach than physicians in their patients’ home town. Being at ease with their doctor is important to many patients, and a simple shift in approach can turn a routine checkup into a meaningful conversation with a physician who truly cares about the well-being of his patient.

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Find more stories on what convinces many consumers to travel overseas for medical treatment at SatoriWorldMedical.com.

Consumers, socio-economic factors, and their perceptions on medical travel

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Steven Lash, president and CEO of Satori World Medical, previously mentioned in an interview on Money Matters that further growth is expected in the medical travel industry now that more people than ever are expected to consider traveling overseas for medical treatment. However, for some, the thought of going outside the US for medical treatment seems ludicrous. The advertised low medical costs may be enticing, but many still wonder if that is enough reason to travel miles away from home for treatment.

A recently published study, ‘A Survey of Consumers’ Perceptions Toward Medical Tourism,’ attempts to shed some light on the issue. The study, conducted by Lydia Gan and James Frederick in six locations in North Carolina in 2010, tested several hypotheses on what motivates American consumers to travel abroad for medical treatment.

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The findings of the study showed that members of the population belonging to the low-income and uninsured consumers were more likely to be affected by risk-related factors in medical travel than the middle- to high- income groups, and the well-insured consumers. This means that uninsured consumers and those in lower income brackets are more likely to check for international accreditation and affiliations of the overseas health institutions with US hospitals. The lower cost is still an important factor but some consumers would like more proof that they’re going to get the right treatment for their condition in spite of the fact that they paid less for it.

The survey also revealed that older and married people were more motivated by social-related factors than young adults and unmarried individuals when considering their options for treatment. Additionally, social-related factors also become less of a motivator the more an individual is proficient in a foreign language.

Indeed, medical travel is not for everyone. Many patients still prefer going to local hospitals for their medical needs. Others, however, understand that there are many hospitals and doctors outside the country that offer high-quality care at a lower cost.

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Find out more about what motivates people to travel outside the country for medical treatment on SatoriWorldMed.com.