Surgery Recovery on a Beach?

Copyright © 2008 Medical-Tourism-Guide.com
by Jay Siva

Medical tourism is simply the practice of combining vacation and medical procedures.
People in need of medical treatment now have the option of creating a “health holiday”. Basically that means that the patient no longer needs to go to the local hospital and accept whatever is offered and then return home to recover on the sofa. The option exists to travel to a foreign country, that you have always wanted to visit and have the medical procedure done there. Your recovery can be spent on a beach, or another tranquil spot.

We are living in the 21st Century, in a global medical community that has no borders.
International travel is readily available, with the skies filled with jet planes going to and fro. It is possible to travel anywhere in the world, with relative speed and comfort.

Part of the decision of choosing a destination will be personal preference. One person may want to be in the midst of giraffes and zebras while another may want to be in the midst of white sand beaches being lapped by the warm ocean waters. Another piece of the decision will be determined by where the medical experts are that you need, and where the accredited facilities are. Additionally, you will want to ensure that you have acquired the proper approval for any surgeries you are seeking reimbursement for.

You will be encouraged to learn that several facilities that offer medical tourism are accredited by the IOS (International Organization of Standardization) and the JCI (Joint Commission International).

The IOS is an organization made up of members from countries all over the world, as is the JCI. Both organizations offer standards that have been drafted with the intent of providing a framework for operation and measurable outcomes. The JCI website is www.jointcommissioninternational.com and gives a complete listing of all international facilities that are accredited. Each listing gives the date of accreditation and the date of re-accreditation, if applicable. You can also review what some of the standards are, what the accreditation process is, and pending standards. Both organizations have developed the standards with the input of members that represent all world regions. (North America, Central and Latin America, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). A wise person would consult the accredited facilities listing, prior to determining which to have a procedure done at.

The standards do not just apply to the sanitation at the facility, or the state of the art equipment that needs to be in place. If you are having a medical procedure done, rest assured that you will be cared for by highly qualified staff, with proficient translators standing by! Most of the doctors who work in these medical tourism facilities have studied in the developed countries and then have returned to work in their home countries.

Anyone who has had a medical procedure done knows that the post-operative stage is as important, and sometimes more so, than the actual procedure. Checking the policies for recovery is important. Decisions should be made, in part, based on the type of care that is provided post-recovery. Again, if the facility is IOS and JCI accredited, you can be sure that the recovery standards are in place. The standards clearly articulate specifics such as the doctors doing close monitoring, including over weekends and holidays. Even in the developed countries, there are patients who find that they are left in the care of nurses aids over the weekend. Facilities with JCI accreditation are adhering to a much higher standard.

In developed countries, there are plenty of documented cases of being discharged from a hospital too soon after a procedure, and having complications develop. Medical tourists report the opposite, to a large degree. Most tourists report that they were allowed to stay for a full recovery period, and that staff were very attentive. Many facilities have translators standing by who are fluent in every language. Again, taking the time to check the specific practices and staffing of the facility you are considering will save potential problems later on.

Full recovery time is spent at a resort destination, and follow-up visits are done on-site by internationally trained doctors. If you were traveling to South Africa for a facelift, chances are that a Safari option would be included in your package, complete with having lunch with the giraffes and zebras! Thailand offers some of the most pristine beaches in the world. Brazil offers rainforests, Costa Rica offers jungles and beaches both, France offers beautiful countryside and the glitter of Paris, Italy offers romantic villas, and Switzerland (of course) offers the Swiss Alps! The choice is yours!

Jay Siva is the author of the best seller book "The Complete Guide to Medical Tourism" where he reveals crucial information on how to successfully plan your medical trip abroad, find discount airfare, American-trained doctors, and internationally-accredited hospitals. You’ll find out such things as: how to pick your treatment destination, what you can expect to pay for specific surgical procedures, what to look for before choosing a hospital, what to ask your doctors, how to manage your travel and treatment costs and so much more.

Surgery Recovery on a Beach?

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