Why Space Medical Tourism Is Worth The Risk

Medical tourism refers to people traveling to a country other than their own to obtain medical treatment. In the past this usually referred to those who traveled from less-developed countries to major medical centers in highly developed countries for treatment unavailable at homes. However, in recent years it may equally refer to those from developed countries who travel to developing countries for lower-priced medical treatments.

- 

 Medical tourism is the practice of travelling outside one’s home country for medical or surgical treatment. It includes dental tourism, but not wellness tourism, which usually refers to visiting spas, homeopathy treatments or traditional healing. It is a rapidly growing industry, especially in Southeast Asia, which is seeing a growth in international tourist arrivals from Australia. An XYZ suggested more than 15,000 Australians travel abroad each year for cosmetic surgery alone. Australians are spending more than a$300 million on medical treatment overseas every year. These are probably significant underestimates, since data is not collected on outgoing travelers for the purpose of medical tourism. The Southeast Asian medical tourism industry markets cosmetic surgery, dental procedures (including implants, dentures, crowns and whitening) and other surgery such as eye, cardiac, orthopedic and gastric bypass/banding surgery. There is also some promotion of fertility treatments, wellness checks and other medical and surgical procedures. Even many local health insurance companies are turning to the promotion of medical tourism packages for treatments such as cosmetic surgery and dental care. A list of international destinations where patients travel to obtain a wide array of procedures is growing, and they range from low to high risk according to possible complications or other negative outcomes. Hence it is vital to speak openly with the international physician about potential complications and how to minimize them prior to any medical procedure. Diverse standards with regards to hospitals and physicians can be a problem, as each country usually has its own licensing and certification protocols. Increased familiarity with destination country protocols is necessary, and all potential risks should be taken into account before making a final decision to travel abroad. A list of international destinations where patients travel to obtain a wide array of procedur