Medical tourism is becoming more and more in demand due to rising prices for services. Patients travel for more high-grade quality care or treatments that are not available in their area. People can use the services of medical tourism agents who provide information and travel arrangements or plan their own treatment. This type of therapy requires clear organizational and legislative guidelines to ensure that services are safely settled for both the patient and the hosting provider.
Organizational values are at the core of a code of conduct, as the host must follow clear instructions. First of all, the patient must be protected from specific hazards in the external environment. It has been noted that medical destinations can have communication problems, infectious epidemics, inadequate control of specialized providers, and an unstable criminal situation (Weis et al., 2017). Therefore, any providers, including hospitals and recreational centers, must ensure the safety of travelers and follow the international code of conduct. Besides, it also covers guidelines for acceptable behavior for both sides. Regardless of cultural background, the provider is required to exhibit a non-violent and supportive model of interaction both in interpersonal contact and in the provision of healthcare services.
The legislation is one of the primary markers in medical tourism training. It is the patient’s responsibility to comply with the rules and regulations of the host region, including acts regarding therapeutic interventions. On the other hand, the provider is obliged to take into account the international codes of conduct when initiating a medical operation. For example, one of the prohibited acts is to perform a complicated surgery if the patient’s weight is not suitable or other medical restrictions are diagnosed. Regardless of variations in legislation, any provider must follow generally accepted medical standards when organizing care.
Medical tourism is essential in an international context for economic reasons. However, patients use it to lower prices or find more suitable specialists. Organizational and ethical safety is the provider’s responsibility and covered by healthcare beneficence with no boundaries. On the other hand, both parties are required to comply with local laws and international medical codes to ensure that the trip does not become a disaster.
Reference
Weis, J., Sirard, R., & Palmieri, P. (2017). Medical tourism: the role of the primary care provider. BJGP Open, 1(2), bjgpopen17X100617. Web.