Health tourism companies provide services to people who travel abroad for the purpose of health and access to medical treatment. In the past, patients usually traveled from less developed countries to big medical centers in highly developed countries because it was not possible to receive medical services in their own country, but in recent years due to differences in costs and treatment prices people travel from developed countries to less developed countries . Following this need and demand, health tourism companies were born to facilitate this process. Some less developed countries today have many opportunities to compete with developed countries and create a quality health care system .
Most of the time, travelers try to get medical care while they are on vacation. Today, all over the world, these travelers cross international borders for just this purpose to obtain affordable medical services, which can range from dental services to liposuction. Expending the affordable air travel, rising health care costs in developed countries, long waiting lists, and health care pressures due to population growth and like that it caused the global expansion and prosperity medical tourism.
Health tourism companies are a gateway for foreign patients to enter a country to provide services. With the help of these companies, patients have access reliable information about their problems and illness. Health care providers also have access to patients who are seriously seeking treatment or solutions to their medical needs .
Most health tourism companies offer a variety of services to facilitate the treatment process of the patient before and after his presence. The process of finding a specialist doctor to help with the patient’s treatment needs can be very difficult, while one of the most important tasks of these companies is to introduce experienced and specialized doctors to patients. This helps clients to find a good country, hospital and surgeon to provide services. Reservation of accommodation, arranging transfers and other logistical details, contacting international insurance companies and marketing for medical services are other services of tourism companies. Providing online services to the patient, including online visits and counseling before entering the target country and also after leaving the country are among the important tasks of companies ./ Health tourism in Iran
So, in summary, the tasks of the facilitators include :
*Coordination and planning with quality hospitals and clinics with the highest international standards (for all treatment measures as well as different budgets)
*Selection and identification of skilled and international physicians and surgeons with extensive experience and fluency in different languages
*Transfer patients from the airport and book their hotel and accommodation according to the budget and needs of patients
Providing high quality pre-hospital and post-hospital health care services
Follow-up of the patient after discharge from the hospital and return to his country is usually done by tourism companies to be informed of the patient’s condition .
Why is medical tourism so popular ?
Lower costs
The cost of surgery in some countries may be much cheaper than the cost of the same surgery in a developed country. For someone whose proposed surgery is not covered by insurance (such as cosmetic surgery), or an uninsured patient, this cost difference can be huge .
But why is medical and surgical care so much cheaper outside of these countries? The cost of wages, whether nurse, assistant, surgeon or pharmacist, is often significantly lower .
Holidays in a foreign country
Sounds great, doesn’t it ?
Health tourism facilitators often plan to entertain patients and health tourists as well. According to the patient’s interests, before or after receiving medical services, a travel and tourism program can be prepared so that he has happy memories of treatment and travel .
Why do hospitals need health tourism companies ?
With the development of health tourism, the number of health tourism companies and intermediary organizations has increased significantly. Their services in this industry can be useful for both hospitals and patients, and their importance cannot be ignored .
Enabling online presence
Digital advertising and marketing have become very popular today, and hospitals are using digital tools to reach patients and their target population. This method of advertising is very cost effective and can save a lot of money for companies .
If hospitals cooperate with health tourism companies, facilitators can connect them to the target patient market, so the hospital saves a lot of money on advertising and other marketing activities .
Health tourism facilitation companies also display a good image of the hospital to the public and highlight their facilities and achievements, thus improving the hospital’s position with patients. They also convey a sense of trust and comfort to international patients and recognize the hospital as a trusted center for patients. A good health tourism company is a great asset for any hospital .
The best health tourism companies are trying to fill the gap between healthcare providers and patients around the world. These companies give benefit not only to patients but also to hospitals by increasing the number of international patients.
Suitable choice for patients
Finding the right hospital can be a difficult task for patients. The website of a good health tourism company is an easy option for patients to communicate with their desired hospital according to their needs.
According to surveys, 74% of patients prefer the help of a health tourism company in organizing a medical trip abroad. Hospitals affiliated with good health tourism companies usually make good money from international patients.
Highlight the positive features of hospitals
Hospitals that provide high quality and affordable medical services are always considered by patients. Tourism companies highlight the positive features of the hospital in order to attract more patients to it. Because accurate information about patient care services is provided in all affiliated hospitals, patients feel that they can choose the hospital of their choice from these websites, thus increasing patient admission to hospitals.
Save time for patients and doctors
Health tourism companies help people contact doctors before a medical trip. This process saves time. Otherwise, more time should be spent for making a plan for patient to have a patient – counseling. In most cases, international patients may also schedule presence visits with physicians prior to treatment. Health tourism companies are helping patients as well as hospitals to eliminate their needs.
If patients can consult with their physician before leaving their destination country, they will be more comfortable during face-to-face treatment. This creates a better image of the doctor in the patient’s mind.
They increase the number of patients admitted to hospitals
Hospitals affiliated with the best medical tourism companies are carefully selected by these companies. This provides assurance to patients in terms of quality standards, and patients can easily choose the hospitals recommended by health tourism companies.
More than 12 million patients travel abroad for medical treatment, and most of them use the services of health tourism companies while looking for the hospitals that provide the most suitable services. Hospitals that are not affiliated with a good health tourism company run the risk of losing a significant market of patients.
They provide information that is simple and easy to understand
Another advantage created by health tourism companies is the user-friendly nature of their websites. A good website for health tourism has a good user interface. These websites provide patients with a better understanding of treatment methods, destinations and hospitals in a way that is easy to understand.
If the information provided on the website is credible, patients will always prefer to use it. This increases traffic to websites and, consequently, to hospitals affiliated with these health tourism companies.
