Blamed Medical Tourism For Super Bug August 12, 2010

When India Inc is gearing up for a big leap and making its move towards making healthcare affordable and accessible, there is brewing the culpable attempt to hit medical tourism in the subcontinent.

I woke up reading the news of Superbug Newdelhi hits London.. The researchers have blamed medical tourism in the Indian subcontinent has given rise to this highly resistant bacterial enzyme which NDM1* also has the ability to copy itself to other bacteria and transferred. The study warns that the ease of transfer can lead to faster spread and can bring an end to the use of antibiotics. Is this so grave ?? Sure ? The lead researcher Timothy Walsh from Cardiff University sounds as if this will lead to an epidemic which no one is ready for ?if this is a genuine attempt then Kudos and this needs serious introspection.. But some questions come to mind.. first of all naming the bacteria after New Delhi, sounds like a well designed plan to identify a prominent place and tame the popularity. Secondly is this study peer reviewed ? How is the authenticity vetted ? The other day I was reading a book written by David Healy , where he has explained the use of scare politics by several organisations and pharma companies to use as an adjunct mode of marketing drugs, or create other effects in the business spheres. If is such an attempt is being made then quite unfortunate. Emergence of Drug resistant bacteria is not uncommon and all over the world there is a scope of such developments, so why only India and brand the enzyme as New Delhi Superbug ?

NDA-1 New delhi metallo-beta-lactamase

Cultural Safety and Medical Tourism June 2, 2010

We all  speak about the cultural heritage while promoting our countries as popular destinations ,but from a patient’s perspective we should be well aware of cultural safety , as this is one of the most important aspects of medical tourism and  in direct and indirect ways, can affect medical tourism business.

Cultural safety : The concept of Cultural safety was introduced by a nurse named  Irihapeti Ramsden , a maori nurse. The concept became popular subsequent to deterioration of health care status of  Maori community .The reason was under utilization of healthcare provided due to cultural difference. Though initially cultural safety was confined to nursing practices , over a period of time the concept has gained importance in other sectors also and has been given importance. The two aspects of cultural safety are like a double-edged sword. and deviation creates loss to both provider and the healthcare seeker.

In this context the hospitals should be very careful about this aspect and take necessary action along with educating all healthcare workers. Medical Tourism consultants may like this while conceptualizing a framework and should stress on this.Patients should be educated  to know their rights to demand .

In this regard a few questions arise

1. Do you feel the providers are aware of cultural safety in developing countries ?
2. Is there a need of incorporation of cultural safety in medical tourism and provider set ups ?
3. Are the stake holders of Medical Tourism ( top to toe , and laterally) aware about the importance of medical tourism
4. Are accredited hospitals vouching for the patient safety practicing cultural safety ?
5. Is holistic healthcare provision important ?
6. Would the practice of cultural safety bring any difference ?
7. Should all the healthcare workers be trained in Cultural safety

Please feel free to drop your comments.
ashokpanda1@gmail.com

www.gomedtravel.com

Medical Tourism – Stake holder Analysis May 31, 2010

In Medical Tourism business its very important to do a stake holder analysis and a proper weightage allocation.Having reviewed hundreds of medical tourism sites and scrutinizing their working style, very few are really successful but , hardly anyone is there who has established an exclusive framework for medical tourism business. The various components of the framework are

- Patients
-Healthcare Service providers ( Hospitals , Doctors ,Clinics)
- Medical Tourism Facilitators
- Travel agents
- Accommodation facilities
- Insurance companies ( subjected to conditions )
- Employers ( Subjected to conditions )

Now it is very important to establish a complete framework and not leaving any gap. Within each framework component there are several sub-specific components.

All of them have to be taken care of.

Medical Tourism venture (Ready to start ?) May 30, 2010

Looking forward to plunge in to the medical tourism business ? do a very good analysis of market for opportunities available,Consider your strengths, realize your weakness—-> ( find remedies ), Gauge the competition , tighten your belt, seek professional help for preparation of a good business model. do not hesitate to spend on the foundation laying activity, Hire good professionals for carrying out the operational activity , Select hospitals which can fit into a sustainable business model of yours and your vision matches with their goals, establish proper channels and you will see your medical tourism business is taking off.

Medical tourism – A reality ?? May 13, 2010

Half a decade back there was a big publicity about medical tourism and sky scrapping numbers showing the amount of money being sourced to countries having affordable healthcare in form of medical tourism and associated travel and other supportive care costs .Many entrepreneurs plunged in to the market speculating higher returns on negligible investments . but have they achieved what they have been looking for in these years. If yes which countries have achieved that which are the countries which are lagging behind in spite of having all the resources of becoming a popular destination ?

Lets discuss India. Medical tourism business in India is as diverse as a it could be in th world. Lets consider the following points.

- No regulatory hurdle for medical tourism
- anyone can plunge in the business
- Hospitals have their own international divisions to promote themselves along with tied up with thousand other existing or non existing agencies
- Most of the players in the market are not armed with healthcare experience and bank upon the hospitals or physicians to supplement in patient counselling
- This is a market where nobody knows about the the statistics or the broader picture
- No retrospective analysis

along with all these there are other problems of infrastructural insufficiency, distance form the primary target countries, and many more. Can these problems be solved ? Yes , in next blog we shall discuss in detail how we can develop a strategic approach to all these problems.

How to choose an agency for medical travel May 10, 2010

When travelling to an alien country there is always an apprehensive mind about the culture of the country , the cost effectiveness , the expertise of the agency and several other factors. There are few steps you must ensure safety.

- Do a good comparison of quotes but do no bargain excessively, services which you might get at a very cheap rate might not be a qualitative

- Speak to the medical tourism facilitator and ask for a pre-travel talk with the physician

- Do a good research about the agency online

- Ask for the physical address of the agency’s office

- Ask the agency to establish link through your country’s embassy or high commission if you feel something is suspicious.

- use channel partners for hotel and airline booking rather than depending on the agency to book an air ticket.

medical tourism is a very good option for keeping healthcare costs low and better outcomes.

Medical Tourism Consultancy May 4, 2010

Since I started communicating with Medical Tourism Facilitators starting from the year 2007, I was often asked few questions very frequently which I want to discuss today.

- Is Medical Tourism Industry this big as hyped ?
- Is it really a fast growing industry ?
- Is it a good business option?
- Which are the most popular destinations for medical tourism ?
- Which are the countries that send maximum number of medical tourists ?
- Can our country become a popular medical tour ?
- What is the statistics of patients travelling for healthcare service ?
- Is this medical tourism business regulated ?
- Do we need a license to start this business ?
- How much capital investment is needed for medical tourism business ?
- How soon could we achieve a break even period ?
- How is revenue channelised in medical tourism ?
- Do the patient pay the medical tourism facilitators or the hospitals pay ?
- Is there any legal implication ?
- Which are the most popular procedures for which medical tourist travels ?

Popular Cosmetic surgeries April 22, 2010

People are becoming more and more conscious day by day about the way they look. They realize they have an option to look better by use of modern technique of plastic re constructive surgery and cosmetic surgery to look better and the cosmetic surgeons around the world have made this a reality for them. Statistics show there has been an increase in number of people who want to opt for cosmetic surgery to look better.

Following are the procedures / surgeries which are very popular amongst the cosmetic surgeries and procedures.

1. Mammoplasty : Also known as Breast augmentation / Breast enlargement. In this procedure implants are used to increase the size of breast, to restore the breast size after weight reduction procedures or pregnancy or sometimes if naturally breasts are small and not proportionate to other parts of the body.

2.Breast Lift : Mastopexy : When breasts are droopy and saggy , this technique is used to give them a firm shape .The excess skin is removed and surrounding tissue are tightened.

3.Reduction mammoplasty : Used to reduce breast size ,used to remove excess tissue and skin and make the surrounding part more firm.

4.Rhinoplasty : Reconstruction surgery of nose to give a better shape and look.

5.Abdominoplasty : also knows as Tummy Tuck : To remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area and make the tummy firm and flat.

6.Face lift

7.Chin Lift

8.Brow Lift

9.Chin Augmentation

10. Eyelid lift : Also called blepharoplasty

Indications for Hip replacement April 10, 2010

Hip replacement is performed mostly in case of osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis the joint fails to perform the range of motion required for movement of body parts because of wear and tear resulting from inflammation and overuse of the synovial membrane .

Other indications of hip replacement could be  rheumatoid arthritis , avascular necrosis , hip fractures , bone tumours, Paget’s disease ,  traumatic arthritis , Ankylosing Spondilitis .

Hip replacement is usually the last resort when other conservative methods of treatment have failed.

Symptoms :

• Persistent  groin pain
• Due to continuous pain while moving or even at rest  (not able to take rest )
• Hindrance in daily living activities due to pain and limitations in Activities of daily living which requires hip movement
• Other conservative mode of treatment have been followed for a time period but not of much use

The hip replacement surgery is considered after considering some parameters like age of patient, bone density, associated disease or syndromes and all basic factors to be considered before a surgery.

India is a popular destination for hip replacement surgeries and medical tourism option for hip and knee replacement because of qualified orthopedic surgeons , low cost of treatment and high rate of success.

Hip Resurfacing March 10, 2010

What is Hip Resurfacing ?

Hip resurfacing is a surgical procedure. This is an alternative form of intervention for total hip replacement. This procedure is advantageous because this preserves bones and there is not much of bone loss. This is also beneficial because  the number of hip dislocations are lower and also easier revision surgery. However the disadvantage is the chances of fracture of the neck of femur ( Femur is the long bone of the thigh ) aseptic loosening and metal wear.