Questions to Ask Before Traveling for Surgery
Am I in a healthy condition to travel extensively?
It is important to consider your physical condition and abilities to travel before determining if medical tourism is right for you. If you are traveling for a dental or cosmetic procedure, you likely do not have limitations on your physical ability to travel. However, if you are traveling for a knee replacement procedure or other invasive procedures, it’s important to determine your physical condition and ability to travel long distances both to and from your surgery destination. You should also consider the amount of recovery time you will need post operation before you will be able to travel again.
What does preparation for traveling for surgery abroad entail?
Before your trip, consult with your doctor about any necessary vaccinations or health precautions that need to be taken before you head to your surgery destination. It’s also very important to remember specific paperwork needed to travel abroad such as a passport or visa and medical history file (which may be sent electronically with some organizations).
Why do I want to travel abroad for surgery?
By answering this question you will be able to make better, more informed decisions regarding where your surgery should take place and who will be your preferred surgeon. If you are traveling for surgery because it will cost less in another location, have you researched the quality of treatment you will be receiving? If you are traveling for surgery because you do not have health insurance, have you researched the potential costs that you may acquire should something unplanned occur during your surgery? These type of questions are important to research and answer.
A few of the most common reasons tourists travel abroad for surgery include:
- Lack of health insurance
- Potential cost savings
- Desire the benefit of tourism while recovering from surgery
- To receive treatment anonymously
Regardless of your reasons for traveling for surgery, there is one thing that you should never compromise: the quality of surgery you will be receiving.
What is the quality of service I will be receiving?
It is very important to do your research on the surgeon that will be performing your surgery as well as the facility it will be performed in. If your surgeon’s curriculum vitae is not available online, call the hospital or surgery center and have them send it to you so that you are aware of your surgeons qualifications. Researching the facility that your surgery will take place in is also very important. Research whether or not the facility is accredited by any notable organizations. For example, all Kinese surgery centers are accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. This accreditation ensures that our facilities exceed patient safety and quality care.