Medical tourism has prospered all over the world. Patients have not irreversibly bound to their local healthcare systems anymore.When hearing "medical tourism", the first countries that come to mind include Switzerland, England, and USA. More patients travel to the US for care than ever before [1].Every year, American hospitals receive patients from all over the world seeking to manage their conditions from one of the most advanced healthcare systems on the planet.
In this article, we will cover 5 reasons that drive patients to travel to the USA for care. By the end of this piece, you will appreciate just how advanced the US healthcare system is relative to its counterparts.
Why do patients travel to the USA for care?
1. Cutting-edge biotechnology
The United States is the leading country in the field of biotechnology. The top 10 leading biopharma companies like Moderna, Regeneron and Vertex are centered in the US [2].
How does that help you as a patient?
Well, biotechnological innovation directly influences the quality of patient care. For instance, US hospitals use robots in surgical and clinical settings. These devices can be extremely beneficial when dealing with certain tumors, such as brain cancer, chest tumors and colon cancer [3].
The US also has one of the most advanced physical therapy and prosthetic fields around the globe. In fact, thousands of athletes visit America every year to receive the best quality of care and recover as fast as possible.
2. Latest therapeutic innovations
According to reports, more than 40% of medical innovation stems from the US. The vast majority of clinical trials that test new drugs for debilitating conditions occur in the US. Examples include treatments for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory conditions. [4]
When it comes to finances, the US is the number one country that spends money in the field of medical research. The National Institute of Health (NIH) spends approximately $41.7 billion per year on biomedical research. [5]
Biomedical research is also a pillar of the American healthcare system.
Today, thousands of patients are participating in advanced clinical trials to receive the latest medications that treat cancer. The US also possesses a large arsenal of antineoplastic treatments. The unavailability of these drugs in other countries can be a matter of life and death for many patients.[6]
Who benefited first from these latest therapeutic innovations?
These efforts are primarily oriented toward better medical care for the American people. For instance, when the United States developed advanced immunotherapy treatments for cancer, residents of the United States have the right to prioritize access to these latest research findings.
You can consult a US-based doctor with the help of telemedicine. This way, you will be able to make an informed decision about the best way to manage your condition.
3. Highly qualified healthcare providers
As you may also know, to become a doctor in the United States, students have to undergo a long, difficult journey of exams, bedside skills, and continuous testing by the American Board.
Once this is over, they need to match for a residency program to become a specialist. Some residency programs last for up to 7 years to complete. These are mostly surgical fields (e.g., plastic surgery, neurosurgery).[7] If that’s not enough, specialists may also need to opt for a fellowship, where they receive training in a specific field of that specialty. In other words, a neurosurgeon may train to become an expert in the field of tumors affecting the base of the skull.
The collective knowledge, training, and expertise gathered from decades of training make US doctors leaders in their respective fields.
Just think of the best medical schools in the world. What comes to mind?
Harvard medical school
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
Oxford University Medical School
The first four schools are US-based. Moreover, America has some of the best hospitals out there. Check out this article we compiled earlier about US hospitals.
In summary, if you travel to the United States for care, you must want the best possible clinical outcome.
4. Outstanding specialists in challenging fields
In many countries around the world, it can be difficult to find a specialist for your specific disease. For instance, some pediatric patients with extremely rare diseases find no specialists able to care for them nor the appropriate treatments for those diseases. [8]
The solution? Consult a US-based doctor or travel to the US for care.
In the previous section, we established how the majority of US doctors become micro-specialists. This gives them what it takes to care for the most challenging conditions.
The National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD) is an American institution that’s committed to identifying, treating, and curing rare diseases. [9]
Some of the approaches followed by NORD include:
Disease education
Advocacy for patients
Research efforts
Service programs
5. Advanced diagnosis and treatment of rare and chronic conditions
The consolidation of medical knowledge throughout years of training gives US doctors the edge when it comes to diagnosing and treating rare conditions. Moreover, the widespread availability of advanced testing techniques and imaging technology allows for the precise and rapid diagnosis of these diseases.Following an evidence-based approach to diagnosing rare diseases is indispensable. Unfortunately, other healthcare systems do not necessarily stick to these approaches. [10]
Advances in the field of radiology, in particular, have pushed the United States to the top spot regarding investigative and interventional radiology.
Challenges for International Patients
However, access to this advanced medical care may seem unattainable for international patients.
How do you even make an appointment with a doctor?
What about visas?
How do you overcome language barriers?
And what about the cost?
This is where Medebound HEALTH makes the difference, turning the impossible into a reality.
How to Make an Appointment
Medebound HEALTH is not just an ordinary cross-border medical service provider. We are your overseas medical concierge with deep connections to experts at top US hospitals. Our core advantage lies in our service that combines cutting-edge telemedicine with comprehensive in-person diagnosis.
Imagine consulting with top experts in the US from your home. No need for long travel, no visa hassles, just a few clicks to access world-class medical advice.
This is the power of Medebound HEALTH's remote consultation service.
But we don't stop there.
If face-to-face treatment is needed, we will arrange every detail: from scheduling appointments to visas, travel, accompaniment, and on-site support, we will be with you every step of the way.
The Power of Second Opinion
Accessing world-class medical care should not be a privilege for a few. Medebound HEALTH makes it accessible to all. Whether you need a second opinion from a top expert or comprehensive treatment, we can help you achieve it.
When facing serious health issues, you should seek the best possible institution. Medebound HEALTH offers you:
Direct access to top US doctors
Faster hospital appointments
Superior follow-up care services
Cost savings
Customized translation/interpretation service plans
Remote second opinion services
Whether you need a second opinion or complete treatment in the US, we are here to help you anytime.
How Does It Work?
Its Simple:
Tell Us About Your Case (It's Completely Free)
We Match You With The Perfect Expert From Our Network Of Top Specialists
We Gather And Translate All Your Medical Records, Ensuring Nothing Gets Lost In Translation
Schedule Your Video Consultation At A Time That Works For You
During The Call, Get Real-Time Translation From Our Medical Interpreters
Receive A Detailed Treatment Plan And Next Steps, All Tailored To Your Specific Case.
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About Medebound?
Headquartered in New York, Medebound has connected patients with top doctors for 30 years.
We're not just another medical tourism company.
We combine deep US medical knowledge with an understanding of International patients' unique needs.
Our Mission Is Simple…
Bring world-class medical expertise to you, no matter where you are.
We're your bridge to the best care possible without the usual headaches and high costs.
The shift towards teleconsultation is clear.
Our data shows that while only 10% of patients who ask about US treatment can travel to the US, 60% choose our remote consultation service.
Why?
Because it offers top-tier care without the high costs and stress of travel.
The fight against disease is tough.But you don't have to face it alone.
Take the First Step Today
Are you ready to get the best quality of care in the US?
Using our global telehealth platform, you can now receive a virtual consultation with a top physician specialist in America, no matter where you live in the world. Regardless of your condition and your country, we are here to help you. To access world-class care while saving time and money, fill out the form👇 below and a designated Medebound HEALTH staff will contact you within 4 hours.
Don't let financial concerns or travel challenges prevent you from getting the best care.Our medical consultants are ready to guide you through the process and answer any questions.
References
1-Béland, D., & Zarzeczny, A. (2018). Medical tourism and national health care systems: an institutionalist research agenda. Globalization and health, 14(1), 68. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-018-0387-0
2-Jung, Y. L., Hwang, J., & Yoo, H. S. (2020). Disease burden metrics and the innovations of leading pharmaceutical companies: a global and regional comparative study. Globalization and health, 16(1), 80. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-00610-2
3-Gyles C. (2019). Robots in medicine. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 60(8), 819–820.
4-Keyhani, S., Wang, S., Hebert, P., Carpenter, D., & Anderson, G. (2010). US pharmaceutical innovation in an international context. American journal of public health, 100(6), 1075–1080. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2009.178491
5-https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/budget
6-Trendowski M. (2015). Recent Advances in the Development of Antineoplastic Agents Derived from Natural Products. Drugs, 75(17), 1993–2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-015-0489-4
7-Swan K. G. (2017). On becoming a physician. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 30(1), 109–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2017.11929551
8-Al-Shamsi M. (2017). Addressing the physicians' shortage in developing countries by accelerating and reforming the medical education: Is it possible?. Journal of advances in medical education & professionalism, 5(4), 210–219.
9-https://rarediseases.org/nord-releases-principles-for-assessing-proposals-designed-to-lower-the-cost-of-prescription-drugs-in-the-united-states/
10- Acevedo-Aguilar, L. M., Mass-Hernández, L. M., Matta-Rodríguez, D., Jiménez-Filigrana, J. A., Garzón-Gutiérrez, K. E., Barahona-Botache, S. A., ... & Rahman, S. (2021). Practical guide for the use of medical evidence in scientific publication: recommendations for the medical student: narrative review.
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