The major reasons patients opt for medical tourism are better and/or faster medical services and cost savings. Also, they are added advantages of enjoying a holiday vacation. Medical services that most travelers are interested in are surgeries such as knee replacement, hip replacement, cardiac (heart) surgery, cosmetic surgery, and dental surgery. Other healthcare services like psychiatry and alternative treatments not available in the U.S. are also sought after. Burial services are also made available to medical tourists if needed.

Globally, more than 50 countries have made medical tourism their national industry. Some of the countries known for medical tourism are Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Australia, and India. It is important to know there is a wide range of services provided as well as a wide range in the quality and accreditation requirements.

Healthcare services provided

The health care services including surgeries available for medical tourists range from a simple checkup to a major heart surgery. Surgery for the heart, eye, dental, orthopedic, spine, gynecology, fertility, urology, and cancer are all available. You can also get affordable cosmetic surgery that is not normally covered by health care insurance in the U.S. Services for weight loss or stem cell therapy are also available. Some even offer alternative treatments, ayurvedic treatment, oriental medicines, spas, etc. Major organ transplants (kidney etc.) can also be availed in medical tourism.

Cost cutting

In the US, UK or Europe, treatment can be delayed due to long waiting lists and they prefer to travel to other countries like Singapore, Thailand, India to get faster treatment along with quality service and a low cost. These countries offer treatment with cutting-edge technology at a fraction of the cost you would have to pay in your own country. For example, a patient pays approximately $57,000 for an angioplasty in the U.S. whereas in India or Thailand the cost would be $9,000 – $10,000. Similarly, a knee replacement cost about $50,000 in the US compared to $9,000 – $14,000 in other countries. Cosmetic surgeries, like a face lift or breast implants, cost $10,000 – $15,000 in the U.S. whereas it cost $5,000 – $8,000 in Asian countries like Thailand or India. (Prices vary from hospital to hospital). There are more and more patients in good physical condition traveling to save money through medical tourism.

Finding a Doctor

Most countries that provide medical tourism have well qualified health care providers and doctors. Many of them are trained internationally. Some providers who offer medical tourism also partner with leading institutions in the U.S. or UK, keeping the standard of treatment high with state of the art facilities. They also provide high quality hospitality to their health care guests. It is important to do your research thoroughly of the the doctor and hospital you are considering before selecting the desired country/hospital/service provider for medical tourism.

Medical Tourism in India

Among the many Asian countries, India offers medical tourism, and in fact, India is often preferred over the other Asian countries. Patients from both the U.S. and UK travel to India for various types of health care treatment and surgery. One of the major reasons for choosing India is the cost factor. India provides some of the most affordable treatment options for surgery like heart surgery, knee or hip replacement or various orthopedic treatments and surgery.

Language is usually not a barrier, and medical tourists do not face problems with communication in India as most people speak English.

The medical facilities in India are quite good and suited for medical tourists. Some of the facilities are comparable to those in the U.S. Most corporate hospitals are well equipped with sophisticated instruments and laboratories which deliver a quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

The doctors in India are highly qualified; many of them have work experience and training in western countries. Indian doctors are well known globally for their research and medical skills. They nderstand well the requirements of international patients and treat them appropriately.

Compared to facilities in Canada or UK, where you may have to wait for months to get surgery, in India tourists don’t need to wait and get their treatment right away. In addition to the cost and care advantages touring the beautiful country of India would make a wonderful vacation for anyone. Medical tourism companies offer great tour packages, affordable hotel and food, arrange car rentals and tour guides.

Medical tourism is a growing industry as more and more people become comfortable with the care from other countries. India is among the leading medical tourism providers. So if you’re looking for a vacation and have a need for affordable health care or surgery, India is the perfect destination for both.

In general there are two categories of doctors, those that practice medicine and those that do surgery—some do both. If you are seeking the help of a doctor, either a general medical doctor, a specialist, or a surgeon, the following medical specialty list will help you with what type doctor you need. Some of these specialist may be MDs (medical doctors) or DOs (doctors of osteopathy).

More Information: What Kind of Surgeon Do I Need?

Allergist

An allergist is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma. Allergies are when the body’s immune system overreacts to something it’s not used to causing a “reaction.” Allergens—things that irritate the body, like pollen, foods, mold, smoke, or medicine—can cause an allergic reaction or allergy. Symptoms of allergic reaction can include sneezing, rash, tears in the eyes and runny nose. Shortness of breath, chest tightness and trouble breathing are symptoms of a severe reaction, and often need emergency treatment. An allergist specializes in identifying the causes of these reactions and recommends treatment. Treatment can include avoiding the allergen, shots to decrease symptoms (called desensitization shots) or pills.

Anesthesiologist

An anesthesiologist is the doctor that administers anesthesia when you have surgery. The provide either local or general anesthesia and monitors your condition while you are in surgery. Some anesthesiologist manage pain after surgery.

Cardiologist

A cardiologist is a doctor that specializes in caring for the heart including heart failure, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure. Reasons to see a cardiologist include chest pains (angina), heart attack (myocardial infarction), irregular heart beats (arrhythmias), heart murmurs, high blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal EKG’s, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or pre-operative medical clearance.
Cardiologist do test such as

• electrocardiogram
• Doppler echocardiogram
• stress test including nuclear stress test
• cardiac catheterization

An interventional cardiologist also performs cardiac catheterization (heart cath), angioplasty, and inserts stents into the blood vessels of the heart.

Dermatologist

A dermatologist is a doctor that specializes in dermatology— the branch of medical science that deals with the structure, function, and disorders of the skin, hair and nails.

A dermatologist evaluates and treats skin rashes, growths, infections, hair loss, and nail problems. Dermatologists remove warts, biopsy skin for skin cancers, and treat skin cancer. Diseases a dermatologist treats include nail fungus, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, acne, scabies, herpes zoster, ring worm, hives, dandruff, and fungal infections.

Emergency Medicine

The doctor who provides emergency care in an emergency clinic or hospital emergency room is an emergency medicine specialist. These specialists treat sudden illnesses, accidents or injuries such as gun shot wounds or auto accidents that may be life threatening.

Endocrinologist

An endocrinologist diagnoses and treats disorders of glands and hormones. Specific organs in the endocrine system include the thyroid (which regulates the body’s metabolism and energy level), the parathyroid (which regulates calcium and vitamin D), the adrenal glands (which regulates water and mineral balance and produces steroids, amines, epinephrine and norepinephrine), the ovaries (which regulates female hormones), the testes (which regulates male hormones), the pancreas (which secretes insulin to regulate blood sugar and glucagon), and the pituitary gland (produces oxytocin and ADH and secretes precursor hormones for other glands to work). The endocrinologists also treats disorders due to the over- or under-production of gland hormones such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), diabetes (high blood sugar), Addison’s disease, Cushing’s Syndrome, and goiter.

Family Practitioner

For most of us, it is a family practice doctor that we know best. They are the ones that coordinate our health care and often called “primary care doctors.” A Family Practice doctor specializes in family medicine, and does not practice surgery. A family doctor can give care, preventive care services, as well as treat disorders and diseases regardless of age, sex, or type of problem. Sometimes, family doctors may sew up minor cuts, open small abscesses or remove warts.

Gastroenterologist

An gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders (diseases) of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and biliary system.

Disorders of the GI tract include difficulty swallowing, appendicitis, cirrhosis of the liver, gallstones, diverticulitis, diverticulosis, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), hepatitis, hiatal hernia, cholecystitis, inflammatory bowel disease, enlarged liver or spleen, chronic pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, bloody stools, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease, bowel obstruction, peptic ulcer and heartburn.

Gastrointestinal tract tests, such as endoscopy (looking for tumors, bleeding, ulcers and cancer) and colonoscopy (looking for tumors, polyps, inflammation, bleeding, ulcers and cancer in the colon) are preformed or interpreted by a gastroenterologist.

Geriatrician

Specializes in the care of older adults (health for seniors) called geriatrics.

Gynecologist/Obstetrician

A gynecologist specializes in women’s health and medicine including prenatal care and fertility. Obstetricians deliver baby’s and can do surgeries such as c-section (cesarean), episiotomy, and hysterectomy. Gynecologists treat disorders such as uterine bleeding, painful periods, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, and breast changes.

A perinatologist also cares for pregnant women, but specializes in care for women with problem pregnancies such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth.

Hematologist/Oncologist

A hematologist specializes in disorders of the blood such as anemia, AIDs, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, leukemia, sickle cell disease and cancers of the lymph node glands (lymphoma).

An oncologist is a doctor that specializes in oncology, the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). An oncologist specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer. Treatment can include bone marrow biopsy or chemotherapy.

Hospitalist

A hospitalist is a hospital-based general physician, medical sub specialist (pediatrician) or family practitioner who assume the care of hospitalized patients in the place of patients’ primary care doctor in acute care or intensive care units. The hospitalist acts as a consultant on surgical patients and has limited outpatient care responsibilities.

Infectious Disease Specialist

An infectious disease specialist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or unknown origin. They treat infections that have not responded to treatment by your regular doctor or other life threatening infections like HIV, tuberculosis and MRSA.

Internist

An internist is a doctor that specializes in internal medicine for adolescents and adults, and does not practice surgery. Internal medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of non surgical diseases. Today, a general internist is often called a “primary care doctor” and treats adults and adolescents. The internist’s training includes emergency medicine, hospital medicine, geriatrics, and critical care medicine. Internists do physical exams.

Nephrologist

A nephrologists specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney and urinary tract diseases. Any abnormalities in diagnostic kidney tests or urine tests are referred to a nephrologist. They also monitor patients on dialysis, consult with surgeons for kidney transplants and surgeries, and do endoscopy of the renal system.

Nephrologists treat acute and chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritis, neurogenic bladder, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections.

Neurologist

A neurologist diagnoses, treats and manages nervous system disorders and injuries which include the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. They also specialize in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, meningitis, epilepsy, stroke, Guillain-Barré, myasthenia gravis, brain tumors, and brain infections. A neurologist also treats brain injuries, coma, and hypoxia.

Ophthalmologist/Optometrist

An ophthalmologist or optometrist is a doctor that specializes in disorders of the eye and vision correction such as nearsightedness, farsightedness. They also treat eye problems caused by high blood pressure and diabetes. Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the structure, function and diseases of the eye and do surgery.

Orthopedist

An orthopedist is a doctor that specializes in orthopedics – the field of medicine that deals with the correction or prevention of skeletal deformities. Orthopedists usually have a specialty interest (sub-specialty) and focus their practice on a certain part of the skeletal system such as the hand, foot, or spine. Orthopedist not only treat medical conditions, they also do surgery such as hip, knee and shoulder replacements, knee arthroscopy and spinal fusion. Orthopedists treat musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease).

Orthopedists treat carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic low back pain, degenerative disc disease, fractures, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, Herbeden’s notes, Bouchard’s nodes, ganglions, gout, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, Achilles Tendonitis, rhabdomyolysis, and sports injuries such as strains and sprains.

Otolaryngologist

An otolaryngologist specializes in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose and throat.

These disorders include: ear infections (otitis media), hearing loss, earache, perforated ear drum, middle ear cysts, sinus infection, and nosebleeds.

Pain Management Specialist

Pain management specialists treat all types of pain. These doctors are usually anesthesiologists with special training in pain management. Chronic pain—pain that lasts more than 3 months—is managed by pain care specialist on an outpatient basis. Treatments include medicine, injections, and referrals to physical therapy, massage and acupuncture.

Pediatrician

A pediatrician is a doctor that specializes in pediatrics – the branch of medicine that deals with the development and care of newborns, infants, children and adolescents. There are also sub-specialties of pediatrics such as psychiatry and cardiology.

Podiatrist

Foot disorders are diagnosed and treated by a podiatrist. A podiatrist can also do surgery on the foot and ankle and treat problems such as ingrown toenails, bunions, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, hammertoe, achilles tendon tear, achilles tendonitis, and rupture, corns, heel pain, heel spurs, stress fractures, toe nails, tendon injuries in the foot and leg, tarsal tunnel syndrome, foot numbness, shin splints, ankle sprains, and physical deformities of the foot and ankle. Podiatrist also treat sports injuries to the feet and ankle. Podiatrist also recommend and fit orthotics such as sock liners and arch supports.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a doctor that specializes in the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.

Psychologist

A psychologist is a doctor that specializes in the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of behavior.

Pulmonologist

A pulmonologist specializes in pulmonary medicine and treats disorders of the lungs and chest (respiratory disorders) like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ARDS, acute respiratory failure, pneumonia, asbestosis, asthma, atelectasis, bronchitis, cor pulmonale, emphysema, tuberculosis, pulmonary edema, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), pulmonary embolism, pleural disorders, and pneumothorax. Pulmonologists also do test such as bronchoscopy.

Radiologist

Interpretation of x-rays and other diagnostic studies such as MRI, CT scans, mammograms, and sonograms are done by a radiologist. Interventional radiologist can perform biopsies and angiograms as well as inject chemotherapy into tumors.

Radiation Oncologist

A urologist specializes in the treatment of cancer using radiation and works closely with the oncologist. They determine where the radiation goes, the type needed, and the dosage for the type of cancer.

Rheumatologist

A rheumatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the joints, muscles and connective tissue. They treat arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and symptoms of rheumatism.

Urologist

A urologist specializes in urology – the branch of medicine that deals with the urinary tract, ureters, kidneys, bladder and disorders of the prostate. These disorders include prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and erectile dysfunction.

Surgeon

For more information about the different types of surgeons and what operations they perform.

The quality of the health care you receive depends as much on you as it does your doctor. In order to become a patient advocate for yourself and your family you need to do 3 things:

• Develop skills for obtaining the right medical or surgical care.Make sure you know what type of doctor is best for the care you need. As soon as you notice a problem start keeping records of symptoms . Keep written records about when, how long, was there pain and if so how much. Have your symptoms gotten better or worse, what makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Share in every medical decision made by your health care team. Don’t just blindly go through tests and treatment. Understand what the tests should find and what the treatment should do so you can help eliminate unnecessary costs and get on the right treatment more quickly.
• Become a partner with your heath care team. This means working together toward the same goal and learning how to communicate so you reach that goal without spending too much time and money. If you have a chronic illness, make sure you tell your doctor about any new symptoms or changes—for better or worse—of current symptoms.

The information on this site is meant to help you better communicate with your health care team by being able to describe your situation better or better understand what your doctor has prescribed for you. You must become a health advocate for yourself and your family. You can find information by category or by using the search box at the top of each page. We have tags to help you find related articles. When we find good resources to help you learn more, we provide links to their site to help you in your quest for good health.