Gastrectomy Getaway?
With my finger poised above the Thunderbird SPAM button, I reread the email yet again, to be certain I understood what it was really saying …
… a new web site about medical tourism … what the flying fritter is “Medical Tourism”?
As I reread the brief email a third time, my finger stood down from its incipient nuke position. I could see that it was a self-promotion. Here’s what it said:
Hi
My name is Jimmy Atkinson and I’m writing to let you know that I’ve recently launched a Web site on medical tourism at http://medicaltourismguide.org/. I thought that you and your readers at All Blogged Up: A Moof’s Tale might especially be interested in reading our feature article explaining why we feel medical tourism is so popular — http://medicaltourismguide.org/12reasons/. Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Jimmy Atkinson
Medical Tourism Guide
http://medicaltourismguide.org/
I clicked on his links, and took a peek. The site talks about the pros and cons of medical tourism, with a definite accent on the pros. There’s no actual information on the site … just a list a countries, a few with anecdotes, a bit of general information about each country. To actually get info, you have to contact them. They don’t even say if they arrange the trips, provide info about which country does what surgery, or really much of anything, from what I can see. For any details on just what sort of info they’ll provide, you have to sign up.
And as far as signing up is concerned, that’s where the danger! flag goes up for me. If you click on Privacy at the bottom of the page, you find the following statements:
We may send a cookie to your local machine and that cookie may be stored on your machine’s hard drive. We may use the information we obtain from the cookie to improve site usability and for marketing purposes. Our advertisers, sponsors, and partners may also send you cookies.
[...]
Use of Your Personal Data
Personal data submitted or collected on this Web site may be used for any and/or all of the purposes specified in this privacy policy or anywhere else on this Web site. We or our commercial partners may use your personal information to:
* administer this Web site and improve usability;
* send you general (non-marketing) commercial communications;
* send you e-mail notifications which you have specifically requested;
* send you marketing communications related to our business or the businesses of carefully selected third parties;
* provide third parties with statistical information about our users.
If you click on Disclaimers, this is what you find:
Effective July 12, 2007
Welcome to Medical Tourism Guide. By using this Web site, you agree to the following terms and conditions. Read them carefully each time you visit the site, as we reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time. Any changes made will be posted here. If you disagree with any of the terms and conditions below, please do not use this site. (emphasis mine)
Privacy
From our site visitors we collect such information including, but not limited to, referring URL, click behavior, IP address, time spent on site, and more. We may also track our visitors’ behaviors with the use of cookies. We may sell or share your information to third parties for marketing purposes. [...]
Whoa! They don’t tell you what kind of information they can provide unless you sign up, or write to them. If you do sign up, they can send you spam, their buddies can all send you spam, and there’s no “opt out” clause. Just visiting the site means that they may smack a cookie onto your hard drive, and then sell the information they get about your IP address – and more – to third parties for marketing purposes!
Not only that, they warn you to read their terms and conditions each time you visit their site, because they could change them at any time; they also tell you in a different place that “Personal data submitted or collected on this Web site may be used for any and/or all of the purposes specified in this privacy policy or anywhere else on this Web site” … so baby, you’d better read the whole blimey site each time you go! Although I don’t understand what on earth they could add to the terms they’ve already got … perhaps begin charging by the minute for browsing there?
Okay … before really exploring this fellow’s site, I thought it would be nice to write about Medical Tourism, and I replied and told him that I would blog about it, and “explore the subject as objectively as possible.” Had I done my research first, I might not have been quite as polite, and I would certainly have challenged him on some of his policies, if not his lack of “resources.”
But enough about the web site … I think you’ve got the picture, and I hope Mr. Atkinson does too, if he really wants to become “the #1 resource” on medical traveling. Besides, I think that a resource probably needs to have a body of information which is accessible to the clientele, otherwise, it’s not really a resource, it’s a “come on.”
Let’s move on and take a look at the idea of “Medical Tourism.” This isn’t something I’ve ever really ever thought about. Splenectomy Sabbatical, anyone? Or how about a nice peaceful Rhinoplasty Retreat?
It’s cheaper, it’s often faster, and you get to recuperate on a nice sandy beach! Sounds great!
However – there’s no continuity, and you have to provide for your own follow up care. I have a feeling that the “follow up care” might be a bit hard to come by …
I honestly wouldn’t think twice about heisting myself to India, to Vijay’s hospital, for surgery … but I’m not sure that I would be happy with trying to find someone to follow up with at home.
I’d like to know how many patients would be willing to outsource a major, non-elective surgery, if they thought it would save them several thousand dollars? I’m also wondering about trust issues – since the person doing the surgery may be someone you only see briefly. What would you do if things didn’t go as well as expected? And for those of you (like me!) who complain about hospitalists, this would be a whole order worse than that!
I’d also like to know what my physician friends think about having a patient take off for parts unknown for surgery. Do you have anything to say about the safety of a long trip so soon after a major operation? It would really jerk the heck of out continuity, too – what about medical records? Would they be hard to obtain? Would you be willing to take on a medical tourist’s follow up care?
Mr. Atkinson says that his feature article explains why he thinks that “medical tourism is so popular” … does anyone else think that medical tourism is “popular”?
I’d love to see some comments addressing the following questions:
Have you been a medical tourist?
Have you had a patient be a medical tourist?
Would you become a medical tourist?
I’m all ears (or eyeballs, in this case)! Let’s discuss medical tourism!
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July 27th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Moof,
I got one of those e-mail too! He must be making the rounds.
In response to your questions. I have never been a medical tourist, don’t know if I would ever do so (other than having the unlucky, unplanned illness on a trip). I have not had a medical tourist as a patient (followup), but I think I would see them. I would really hate to leave them without care. I have seen patients who had their facelift, etc done in another state and then needed followup (suture removal, just a quick check). Nice post, Moof. By the way, how is your daughter?
July 27th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I haven’t been a medical tourist, but I know lots of retirees that cross the border into Mexico to have dental work done, including having new dentures made, teeth pulled and dental implants done. Too scarey I think. I don’t know anyone who has had a serious infection afterwards, but I have seen some ugly dentures.
These people aren’t so poor that they couldn’t pay more and have it done here, but they are cheap and looking for a deal. I think it also says something about how much they value and trust the care that they recieve here. (because they are willing to risk going to Mexico instead)
July 27th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Moof, I have to admit that I’ve considered becoming a dental tourist. Over the past few years, I’ve spent the equivalent of a small family car on abscessed teeth that have gone horribly wrong and necessitated bone grafts to my jaw.
I now have another abscessed tooth that will need more than the average amount of surgery. I am very seriously considering going to another country in Europe where I can have excellent care and a holiday for less than half of what I would pay in the UK.
July 27th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I got one as well. I just trashed it.
My partner had a patient go to Columbia (in S. America) for a gastric bypass. Apparently this was a very well-run operation and cost half of what it would have cost in the US. It was all US physicians. I think for procedures like this (that are out-of-pocket in the US anyhow) this is an option for people. Buyer beware – yes. Still, if you do your homework, you may be able to get a bargain.
I would think you would have to watch out for drug lords in Columbia, but apparently they were all on siesta.
Rob
July 27th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Interesting post Moof, I wonder how much business they get this way, but at least he got some increased publicity from you, although not exactly positive.
July 27th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I watched a documentary on this very subject. It seems especially prevalent where cosmetic procedures are concerned. It also showed the very dark side of this practice. I would think it would be a hard thing for the general public to gauge what kind of care one might really receive from the practitioner, under the various kinds of circumstances and package deals, I mean offers.
Moof I also left for you a question at BMH. Hope both MIL and daughter are okay.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
I haven’t participated in medical tourism, but I know someone who did.
They went to Mexico for dental work which included a root canal.
They came back and spent two weeks in the hospital and almost died because of the post-procedure infection.
The $1000+ that they saved was lost on the $60,000+ hospital bill.
Of course, I’m sure that there are others that have had great outcomes.
It just happens that I only know of one medical tourist and that “one” turned out very badly.
later…
July 28th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Yes Medical tourism is the future and particularly India’s private healthcare system has made tremendous progress. The availability of low cost – high quality medical care at the state of the art, internationally accredited hospitals like Wockhardt Hospitals Group – which is a part of Harvard Medical International is poised to make India a “global healthcare destination”
Recently one of my uncles went to India for hip surgery at Wockhardt Hospitals and his whole experience was really positive. The only option otherwise for him was to mortgage his house and raise money for surgery at local hospital. So many US patients are now taking this option, just check out testimonials on following weblink
http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/general/pat_exp.asp
July 28th, 2007 at 2:42 am
My parents and most of their friends head to Mexico for their dental work (and prescriptions). So far, I haven’t heard of any stories like TJ’s, but they all seem to go the the same docs. Why do they go? They can’t afford care or prescriptions in the US . . .
About the prescriptions . . . This winter, my ex lost his job and my kids lost their insurance coverage. The price in the US for one of my son’s prescriptions was $440 for one month. In Mexico, it was $160 for the same amount. Same manufacturer, same packaging, lower price. Hmmmm, where do you think I purchased my son’s prescriptions during this time period.
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:09 am
I had a couple people with me in college that wanted to start a business doing this. One of them was from India and had information about US trained doctors that were practicing the “same medicine” in India. It was a really interesting idea that if done right could be a very successful business.
Our target market was specifically elective procedures. We would have taken care of all the travel plans to ensure a good visit. I think it could have really worked out well.
I decided to work on another project so I never pursued it, but the concept is interesting. I think calling it medical tourism is just cloaking the concept in common terms.
August 7th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Right now I don’t have medical insurance. If I needed an expensive surgery I’d consider having it done in Asia in one of the facilities such as the one shown in a 60 Minutes piece – a hospital with doctors who trained in the U.S. and where the nursing care is all provided by RN’s. It amazes me how many Americans call themselves Christians but are not in favor of guaranteed government provided health care for their fellow citizens.
August 7th, 2007 at 8:53 am
This has been an interesting subject. I want to thank everyone who commented. I was surprised at how many people actually do this sort of thing.
The only problem that I would have with Medical Tourism is the lack of continuity. However, there can be a problem with that very thing right here at home, with the regular use of specialists, and the trend toward hospitalist care for inpatients.
Medicine is slowly becoming very impersonal …
PS – I feel that I should warn my readers that the comment by “Mary” is an advertisement.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Hello All,
I only just saw your blog and I’m apparently the guy you folks wanted to hear from. Firstly, I came to India as a business man exploiting the great technological talent of nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers, etc., for the west. Little did I realize at the time that I would end up living here in Bombay operating other businesses as well. But I truly love it, and my presuppositions about India were very wrong. Yes, there’s lots of poverty, but that’s changing and there is also more wealth than you’re probably prepared to believe.
Not only have I tried medical tourism’s hospitals, but I’ve sampled three of them and will be going again. I have tasted renal, dental and eye care in India for which I cannot say enough good. The reason I got to find out about this is from three American guys who also live in Bombay, India who started a medical tourism company some time ago. So far to date, they have never advertised. Only word of mouth. Their services are completely FREE. They are keenly interested in helping Americans feel at home and they speak American English. They have also been here cumulatively over 20 years.
They are primarily interested in those accredited hospitals who have seals of approval from the likes of JCI, Harvard Medical International, International Standards Organization and Cleveland Clinic. And they know exactly what kind of care, etc., that we Americans want.
Not only did I save a BUNDLE, but my experience was profound enough that I’m glad to sing the praises of India’s medical tourism. I will be returning for a hip resurfacing when it gives out … which unfortunately is going to happen. But there’s no better place in the world to be treated. They have done thousands of them over here for four years which is only just now starting in the States.
Anyway, everything you have heard about five star suites as a hospital room is true. Even the house keeping staffs in each of the hospitals I’ve been in are keenly interested in you as a person and in your health. It’s not phony interest either. They are truly happy to talk to a foreigner and genuinely interested in your suffering and what they can do to alleviate it. They will let you talk their ears off and when you leave, you feel like you’re leaving some of your family. If you think about it, they’ve seen you in your all together, etc., at the very worst time of your life, and they have seen you as a person they loved and cared intimately for. It’s impossible not to return the sentiment.
I believe it’s essential to use a medical tourism company to help you with the ropes. All the blogs I’ve read seem to be saying the same thing, because without them you really don’t know where to go and who to see. They too have a reputation to keep. And if you want to do any touring as I have done, they have been there and done that and you get first hand advice. I’ve been privileged to see quite a bit of the country from Goa to Musoori, which means the white sandy beaches to the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas. Fantastic! And India is the one country in the world which has more character and charm than all the others combined.
In hunting for a good medical tourism company, don’t just chose one that has a pretty web site. Anyone can do that. But chose one who gives you their services for free, and who lets you know exactly where they live. They get paid from the hospitals and it doesn’t cost you one dime extra from the hospitals either to use their services. Hospitals are glad to give up some of their profits to get the business. Another thing I recommend is the JCI or other accreditations. I have had my experiences with hospitals in the States and never got such treatment or professionalism as I have in India’s medical tourism hospitals.
In short, you asked whether anyone would do the medical tourism thing, and I cannot say enough positive about it. Forget incredibly lows costs for the moment. I’m talking about the best medical services in the world. They might be matched elsewhere but they cannot be beat!
I would guess since I now live in India that my voice would have even more impact than coming from one who has only taken the tour. I’ve done both and cannot recommend them enough.
Dan