Medical tourism, which involves traveling to a foreign country to receive healthcare, has been growing rapidly for several decades, but particularly in recent years. In 2024, this phenomenon will continue to accelerate due to high healthcare costs in some countries, access to innovative treatments abroad, and increasingly sophisticated medical technologies. Cosmetic, obesity, hair, and dental surgery are the main health topics favored by SEJOURMEDICAL patients.
But while medical tourism offers many benefits, it also carries risks that are essential to understand before embarking on it.
The benefits of medical tourism
1. Reduction of healthcare costs
One of the main advantages of medical tourism is the opportunity to obtain quality care at prices far lower than those charged in one’s home country. Countries like Tunisia, Morocco, and Turkey are renowned for offering medical, surgical, and dental services at very competitive rates. The cost of operations can be up to 70% lower than in Europe or the United States.
2. Access to treatments not available in the country of origin
Some patients choose medical tourism to access treatments that are not yet available in their own country, whether due to legislative restrictions or a delay in adopting new technologies. Take the example of bariatric surgery for obese people with a BMI between 30 and 40, who are therefore prohibited from surgery in France. Abroad, a case is considered based on moderate obesity, i.e., a BMI of 30.
3. Reduced waiting time
In some public healthcare systems, waiting times for non-urgent treatments can be very long. The same is true for exams such as CT scans or endoscopy. Medical tourism often allows people to circumvent these delays by accessing care more quickly in countries where the hospital infrastructure is adapted to international demand.
4. Combining care and vacation
Another attraction of medical tourism is the ability to combine healthcare with a vacation. This approach allows patients to recover in a pleasant setting while enjoying more affordable rates.
5. High-quality care
Contrary to popular belief, many emerging countries have high-quality clinics and hospitals, with professionals trained at the world’s best universities.
Most of our partner surgeons have completed a university course and/or several years of medical practice in France or Europe.
The risks of medical tourism
1. Lack of regulation
Although many clinics abroad offer high-quality care, some countries lack the same rigorous regulatory and oversight standards as Western countries. Lack of oversight can lead to medical complications due to poorly performed procedures or poor hygiene conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to research the clinic’s reputation before committing.
SEJOURMEDICAL’s role is to audit partner clinics and surgeons to ensure the proper application of all standards relating to patient safety.
2. Language and cultural barrier
Receiving care in a country where you don’t speak the language can be challenging. Communication is crucial in the medical field, and any misunderstanding between the patient and the healthcare team can lead to errors.
In Tunisia and Morocco, our patients are in a completely French-speaking environment (coordinators, surgeons and medical teams).
3. Post-operative follow-up
Post-operative follow-up is key to avoiding long-term complications. One of the major drawbacks of medical tourism is the lack of extended follow-up with the surgeon or physician who performed the procedure. Returning home after surgery often complicates access to adequate follow-up care, especially if complications arise afterward.
At SEJOURMEDICAL, medical monitoring is done remotely. Of course, if pain occurs, the first reflex is to go to the emergency room.
Conclusion
Medical tourism in 2024 continues to offer an attractive alternative for patients seeking to reduce healthcare costs, avoid waiting times, or access treatments unavailable in their home countries. However, it’s imperative to be well-supported. Tunis, Marrakech, Casablanca, and Istanbul are the destinations SEJOURMEDICAL offers for a successful medical project.