YORK, UK: Today, a considerable number of governments and decision-makers recognise medical tourism, that is, patient movement for medical care, including dental care, cosmetic surgery and fertility treatment, owing to lower costs, as a national industry. However, despite increasing interest and coverage, there is a lack of research evidence on the role and impact of medical tourism, researchers from the UK have stated.
In order to contribute towards a greater theoretical and empirical understanding of medical tourism developments worldwide, researchers from the University of York examined widely held assumptions regarding the size and shape of global medical travel, including the rise of medical tourism, enormous global market opportunities and the role that national governments play in stimulating the medical tourism industry.
Overall, they found that information and data about these three assumptions is largely supplied by health-care providers, brokers, and facilitators. “What data does exist is generally provided by stakeholders with a vested interest rather than by independent research institutions,” said Dr Neil Lunt, lead author from the university’s Social Policy and Social Work department. “What is clear is that there is no credible authoritative data at the global level, which is why we are urging caution to governments and other decision-makers who see medical tourism as a lucrative source of additional revenue.”
In their report, the researchers challenged the idea that a growing number of patients are prepared to travel across national borders for medical treatment. In addition, they argue that networks, history and cultural relations may be the driving force of medical tourism in certain countries. “The destinations of medical tourists are typically based on geopolitical factors, such as colonialism and existing trade patterns. For example, medical tourists from the Middle East typically go to Germany and the UK owing to existing ties, while Hungary attracts medical tourists from Western Europe owing to proximity,” explained Dr Daniel Horsfall, who performed the statistical analysis for the study.
The study, titled “Market size, market share and market strategy: Three myths of medical tourism”, was published online on 16 October in the Policy and Politics journal ahead of print. It was conducted in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Royal Holloway, University of London; and the University of Birmingham.
LONDON – A UK online adviser for medical treatment has investigated the latest trends in overseas travel for dental treatment. The company conducted a...
LONDON, UK: Though elite athletes generally possess an enviable level of physical fitness, a recent study has shown that their oral health may leave much to...
LONDON, UK: The parameters for what is considered a healthy smile have seemingly become narrower over the years. In a recent survey, the Oral Health ...
LONDON – A recently published study has suggested that the UK dentistry market does not always work to the benefit of the patient. Among other ...
BIRMINGHAM, UK: The British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show (BDCDS) took place from 12 to 13 May, and the UK dental sector attended in strong numbers ...
CARDIFF, UK: By now, it is well known that many leading breakfast cereals may contain a surprisingly high amount of sugar in each bowl. A recent study, ...
BIRMINGHAM, UK: The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS) has returned to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, promising an ...
LONDON, UK: It is commonly believed that Britons are among those with the worst teeth in the world. However, new research has now shown that oral health in ...
LONDON, UK: A dentist from London has been ordered to pay more than £100,000 in compensation to the NHS within six months. If he fails to pay, he ...
LONDON – According to TeethWise, a cosmetic dental clinic search and cost comparison website, the number of people travelling for dental treatments ...
Live webinar
Fri. 19 July 2024
1:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
11:00 pm UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
5:30 pm UTC (London)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
2:00 pm UTC (London)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Thu. 29 August 2024
1:00 am UTC (London)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
10:00 am UTC (London)
To post a reply please login or register