Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries from Medical Tourism

Authors

Avinash M. Waikar
Samuel D. Cappel
Uday S. Tate, Marshall UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2011

Abstract

Wikipedia defines “Medical Tourism” as the act of traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental and surgical care. Rapid expansion of facilities for patients abroad has helped to spur this industry’s growth. Regardless of the destination, U.S. citizens are increasingly embracing the benefits of medical tourism due to dramatically rising U.S. healthcare costs. Medical care in countries such as India, Mexico, Thailand and Singapore can cost as little as ten percent of the cost of comparable care in the U.S. for some procedures. Statistical analysis revealed the costs to be significantly lower for many of these countries. Currently, patients from U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and the Middle East appear to be traveling to destinations in Asia such as India and in Central America such as Mexico for medical care. Medical tourism can offer opportunities to developing countries to make improvements in their country and the host country can enjoy the economic benefit from medical tourism. However, there are also some challenges they may face from medical tourism. This paper discusses the opportunities and the challenges resulting from medical tourism for developing countries.

Comments

This article first appeared in the May 2011 issue of Journal of Business and Economics and is reprinted with permission.

©2011 Academic Star Publishing Company

Recommended Citation

Waikar, Avinash M., Samuel D. Cappel, and Uday S. Tate. "Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Countries from Medical Tourism." Journal of Business and Economics 2.5 May (2011): 397-404. Print.