Medical tourism: Treatments, markets and health system implications. A scoping review

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Posted on: 4 October 2011
By: mackene
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Filed under: News

This review, published by the OECD, identifies the key emerging policy issues relating to the rise of ‗medical tourism‘. The review details what is currently known about the flow of medical tourists between countries and discusses the interaction of the demand for, and supply of, medical tourism services. It highlights the different organisations and groups involved in the industry, including the range of intermediaries and ancillary services that have grown up to service the industry. Treatment processes (including consideration of quality, safety and risk) and system-level implications for countries of origin and destination (financial issues; equity; and the impact on providers and professionals of medical tourism) are highlighted. The review examines harm, liability and redress in medical tourism services with a particular focus on the legal, ethical and quality-of-care considerations.  In light of this, the review outlines key health policy considerations, and draws attention to significant gaps in the research evidence.

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