Service Cycle of Medical Tourism in India

One of the major practices in healthc are is the process of patient outsourcing, in the draw of medical checkup tourism or Medical turn on.This form of business protocol is becoming hugely popular in the developed countries of the world, as it has awful benefits. Medical tourism is a deliberate effort to combine health issues along with live on for tourism and leisure (Health introduction, 2006, Recover Discover, 2007).several(prenominal) organizations may be involved in the process of medical tourism including-The governments They are responsible for framing a policy that would ensure regulated flow of tourists from one trip of the globe to another to en equal effective health care provision. Besides, it would also ensure that the tourists can obtain valid travel documents easily.Hospital Associations Associations founded between the hospitals of the tourist and the destination outlandish are required to communicate with each other so as to help in the flow of medical tou rists. This is to ensure that alone ethical and heavy issues are addressed, and an effective food marketing communication system can exist.It would be ideal for the patient to first speak to his/her usual healthcare supplier beforehand seeking medical facilities in another nation. Hospitals in the west can also consider recognizing and providing accreditation for hospitals in developing nations, so that the quality standards prevailing is well-understood.Travel government activity They are the authorities who are providing valid travel documents and permission required to enable medical discussion in another nation. The authorities should understand the indispensability and urgency for medical handling and hence would go to permit such travel.Travel agencies They would have to communicate with other parties in the destination to ensure that the health and travel needs of the tourist is abide, keeping in mind quality, cost-effectiveness and hassle-free processes.The trave l agency would have to provide the travelers with customized packages that are cost-effective and seem attractive. They would also have to market the health packages in the West, to demonstrate clear advantages to the ones existing at home. Ministry of Commerce and trade (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Through the process of globalization, many countries are beginning to closely examine their economic strengths and risks. If something is costly in one nation, immediately the resources present in other nations would be approached and utilized.In medical tourism, the individual would be using cost-effective options in order to fulfill their healthcare needs in areas where the limitations may be less. These limitations can be several(prenominal) and can be utilized to the advantage of the individual. near of the limitations which can be met through medical tourism overwhelm- pass from one nation where certain types of interference are not available, to another where treatment is available. Going from one state to another, where the quality of treatment is better, improved technology and where expertise in health is available, and innovative options are presentGoing from one country to another where treatment is provided in a more(prenominal) cost-effective manner Going from one nation to another where medical treatment including surgery is provided in a more timely manner (to reduce the waiting periods for elective surgeries)Including the family members and seeking treatment outside(a) from home where the usual stressful factors would not be felt (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003)Medical tourisms can take place from one nation to another and from one region of a nation to another region within the same nation. The course of study today is that many people from the western or developing nations (which have a very restrictive health setup) are moving to the east, where the practices and policies do choose provision of several benefits in healthcare. There are many unique features of the prospects of medical tourism-The nations which serve as a market for medical tourisms are providing several attractive policies and practicesThey are using vary attractive marketing strategies to encourage business An example of this would be to combine medical health visits with holidays to foreign tourist destinations. Many people from the developed nations are finding such packages very attractive and are considering them as they are not only cheaper moreover also meet their customized needs, conveniently.The developing nations such as Thailand, India, Latin America and China, are offering more holistic kind of treatment and are providing several complementary and alternative treatments that deviate away from allopathic medicine. Many of these treatments have proven to be effective. Besides, the treatment facilities are provided in more natural kinds of environment, so encouraging be tter healing and recovery (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Medical tourism can be held for various reasons including health and wellness tourism, reproductive purposes, alternative treatment strategies, impediment medical care, spa tourism, surgical tourism, dental tourism, diet and nutrition tourism, trans schemet tourism, cosmetic tourism, spiritual tourism or even for end-of-life purposes.Often the individual requiring health treatment would also like to include their family members in the process. They would also like to take their family members along. People also want to visit resorts and spas to get away from the usual humdrum. Several theoretical frameworks have been proposed for Medical Tourism-Consumer Motivation Consumers may find the health packages offered at the destination nations cost-effective, of better quality and would also combining their travel needs Medical tourist motivation Some people prefer traveling and getting treatment done in a foreign nation, away from home Push-pull motivation This has been one of the most explanation to justify medical tourism.The pull factors are usually contributed to the attractiveness of the market and the various marketing strategies that have been employed. The pull factors are tangible and are attributed by the destination. The push factors are intangible and may need a lot of explanation. Some of the push factors include- Fulfilling travel needs Preferences for certain destinations Travelers often have the intention of traveling for whatever need, even if a such a need can be fulfilled at home (Hongnaphadol, 2008)India has been one of the success stories of medical tourism in the world. Thousands of tourists from various parts of the World including the US, UK, Australia, Middle East, European Union, etc, visit India either year for medical and surgical treatment. India is also one of the sought out destinations for alternative forms of treatment including Yoga, Ay urveda, herbal medicine, massage therapy, etc. in effect(p) collaborations between the tourism industry and the healthcare industry have existed in India to enable medical tourism to be a success. This has been an initiative from both, private and public parties. India has several other characteristics that have permitted medical tourism to prevail-Rich culture and tradition favoring tourism Natural characteristics of the country Traditional systems of medicine which seem to be very attractive for the West cultural competence of the professionals existing in IndiaLow waiting time Cost-effective treatment Good quality of medical care Pre-existing tourist destination Effective collaboration with organizations in the US/UK which would enable movement of touristsEasy currency conversion processes Good quality of education prevailing in India Academic organizations are able to meet with the requirements of the healthcare industry Connectivity with international airports Good technolo gy utilized in healthcare (Recover Discover, 2007).The service cycle of the medical tourism process and is an vex for the customer. It starts even before the consumer meets the service provider to obtain an effective medical tourism package that would meet his/her travel and health needs.The process starts when the consumer understands that there is an unrealised health need which has to be met. The process would go on and the several steps present including (as fulfilling health need is not a single accomplishment and involves several processes)-Meeting with the service provider Discussing an effective package that would meet their needs (the package would include several aspects including air and travel costs, hotel stay, food, consultation charges, investigation costs, treatment and surgical charges, medications costs, holiday packages, etc).The customer should be provided with a number of options and choice of destinations. Negotiations should also be permitted. Purchasing th e health/travel package Preparing to enter in the package Starting with the travelEntering and experiencing the destination country Getting used to the destination country Meeting the healthcare provider and ensuring that the electronic health records are accredited the healthcare professionals should take an adequate history of the patient and should also conduct adequate diagnostic tests.Identifying the health problems and developing a plan to solve these problems Presenting the plan to the patient and taking the consent Initiating the treatment plan May include several visits The pre-treatment period may include several precautions, restrictions in diet, lifestyle, medications, travel, etcPost-treatment period taking adequate precautions regarding diet, lifestyle, exercise, rest, medications, etc. The patient should be adequately informed of these so that they may be comfortable. Follow-up visits Any additional treatment Advise or consultations before the patient goes back to the home nationFulfilling any other travel needs Returning back home Contact with the healthcare providers through telephone, e-mail, chew out services, etc (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008, Monash University, 2004).The process may not be complete once the patient returns home. This is because fulfilling health needs is a continuous process and the requirements are never ending. At each of the steps, the customer would be having certain expectations. The quality standards of the service are usually determined by the ability to fulfill the customers expectations and to meet as to what was promised in the initial package (contract). Some of the expectations of the consumers include-Having a high quality travel package which is cost-effective Finding the destination country comfortable and relaxing Getting used to the destination quickly Developing rapport with the new healthcare professionals and the healthcare system Ability to clear all doubts and queries.The patient should b e assured about the quality standards of the organization and the qualifications of the healthcare professionals.Preferable a standard prevailing at the home nation should be sought. It is also important that the processes existing in the hospital should be similar to that of the home nation. The healthcare system prevailing should be culturally competent to that of the tourists.Able to meet with the precautions and can from the healthcare professionals easily Undergoing the treatment processes without much complications, side-effects and negative events Resolving any problem the patient has during the treatment processes Enjoying the benefits of treatment Ability to contact the healthcare provider and fulfilling any problem (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008,)ReferencesAmerican University (2003). Globalization and Medical Tourism, Retrieved on gilded 15, 2008, from American University of Delaware Website http//www.american.edu/ted/medical-tourism.htmHealth base (2006). Medical Tou rism FAQs, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Health Base Website https//www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/medical-tourism-faq.jsp1Hongnaphadol, W. N. (2008). Medical Tourism, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Leeds University Website www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/W_Hognaphado-pm_1.ppHutchinson, B. (2005). Medical tourism growing worldwide, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from University of Delaware Website http//www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2005/mar/tourism072505.htmlMonash University (2004). The Cycle of Service, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Monash University Website http//www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/support-services/cycle-service.htmlRecover Discover (2007). Medical Tourism Medical Tourism India Healthcare Tourism, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Recover Discover Website http//www.recoverdiscover.com/Wachovia Corporation (2008). The Cycle Of Service How To See Things from the Customers loony toons of View, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Wachovia Corporation Website http//www.wac hovia.com/small_biz/page/0,,447_972_1697_1994_2016,00.html