Service Cycle of Medical Tourism in India

i of the major practices in healthc ar is the accomplish of affected role outsourcing, in the course of study of health check touristry or checkup give out.This form of business concern protocol is becoming hugely popular in the developed countries of the world, as it has tremendous benefits. Medical tourism is a deliberate effort to consent health issues along with displace for tourism and leisure (Health Base, 2006, Recover discontinue, 2007). some(prenominal) organizations may be involved in the shape of checkup tourism including-The governments They argon responsible for framing a policy that would master adjust accrue of tourists from unrivalled part of the globe to an reinvigorated(prenominal) to enable good healthcargon provision. Besides, it would in any case ensure that the tourists fag obtain valid motivate documents easily.Hospital Associations Associations founded between the hospitals of the tourist and the ending awkward are involve to le ad with each other so as to help in the flow of medical exam examination tourists. This is to ensure that all ethical and legal issues are addressed, and an good marketing communication system can exist.It would be ideal for the longanimous to first speak to his/her usual health care provider before pursuit medical facilities in another nation. Hospitals in the west can in like manner consider recognizing and providing accreditation for hospitals in developing nations, so that the feeling standards prevailing is well-understood.Travel politics They are the authorities who are providing valid run low documents and permission required to enable medical word in another nation. The authorities should empathize the need and urgency for medical intercession and hence would have to license much(prenominal) 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 ache, keeping in mind tonicity, cost-effectiveness and hassle-free processes.The travel agency would have to provide the travelers with customized software products that are cost-effective and seem charismatic. They would also have to market the health packages in the West, to demonstrate tripping advantages to the unrivaleds existing at basis. Ministry of Commerce and trade (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Through the process of globalization, many countries are beginning to closely review their economic strengths and risks. If something is pricy 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 golf-club to fulfill their healthcare needs in areas where the limitations may be less. These limitations can be some(prenominal) and can be utilized to the advantage of the individual. close to of the limitations which can be met through medical tourism include-Going from one nation where genuine types of treatment are not available, to another where treatment is available. Going from one country to another, where the quality of treatment is transgress, improved engine room and where expertise in health is available, and innovative options are presentGoing from one country to another where treatment is provided in a more cost-effective means Going from one nation to another where medical treatment including operating theater is provided in a more timely manner (to reduce the postponement periods for elective surgeries)Including the family members and seeking treatment forth from home where the usual stressful factors would not be felt (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003)Medical tourisms can form place from one nation to another and from one region of a nation to another region within the same nation. The trend directly is that many people from the western or developing natio ns (which have a very restrictive health setup) are moving to the east, where the practices and policies do kick upstairs provision of several(prenominal) benefits in healthcare. There are many funny 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 construes with holidays to exotic tourist destinations. Many people from the developed nations are finding such packages very attractive and are considering them as they are not only cheaper but also gibe 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 leave 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, thus encouraging better 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, tour medical care, spa tourism, surgical tourism, dental tourism, diet and nutrition tourism, displace tourism, cosmetic tourism, spiritual tourism or even for end-of-life purposes.Often the individual requiring health treatment would also homogeneous to include their family members in the process. They would also like to transport 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 demand Consumers may find the health packages offered at the destination nations cost-effective, of better quali ty and would also combining their travel needs Medical tourist motif Some people prefer traveling and getting treatment through 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 unremarkably 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 whatsoever 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 every year for med ical and surgical treatment. India is also one of the seek out destinations for alternative forms of treatment including Yoga, Ayurveda, herbal medicine, massage therapy, etc.Effective 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 custom 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 organization s are able to meet with the requirements of the healthcare industry Connectivity with international airports Good technology utilized in healthcare (Recover Discover, 2007).The service cycle of the medical tourism process and is an convey 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 unfulfilled 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 transaction 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 sh ould be provided with a number of options and choice of destinations. Negotiations should also be permitted. Purchasing the 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 received the healthcare professionals should take an adequate history of the persevering and should also conduct adequate symptomatic 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 t hat they may be comfortable. Follow-up visits Any additional treatment apprize 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, chat services, etc (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008, Monash University, 2004).The process may not be accomplish 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 index to fulfill the customers expectations and to meet as to what was promised in the sign 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 wi th the new healthcare professionals and the healthcare system Ability to clear all doubts and queries.The patient should be 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 advise from the healthcare professionals easily Undergoing the treatment processes without much complications, side-effects and negative events end any problem the patient has during the treatment processes Enjoying the benefits of treatment Ability to feeling the healthcare provider and fulfilling any problem (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008,)ReferencesAmerican University (2003). Globalization and Medical Tourism, Retrieved on noble 15, 2008, f rom American University of Delaware Website http//www.american.edu/ted/medical-tourism.htmHealth base (2006). Medical Tourism FAQs, Retrieved on wonderful 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 Point of View, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Wachovia Corporation Website http//www.wachovia.com/small_biz/page/0,,447_972_1697_1994_2016,00.html