Medical Tourism Shapes the Future of Global Healthcare

Over the past decade Medical Tourism has been rising rapidly and the industry has been transformed from a niche marketplace to a highly competitive environment. An increasing number of people is becoming aware of the numerous medical options waiting for them abroad and many are willing to travel to a foreign country to get the treatment or procedure they need.

PlacidWay, a leader in the global medical tourism industry, has been analyzing the Medical Tourism trend over the past 8 years. The recent 2014 Medical Tourism Global Consumer Demand Survey Analysis has shed some light upon the medical tourism industry seen for the consumers' perspective, collecting information from people who have traveled abroad for medical care and those who would consider this option, people of various ages coming from 70 countries.

The reasons for traveling abroad vary from affordable prices, new technology available abroad, treatment not available in the patient's country, to simply looking for a second opinion. The survey has showed that the top 10 treatments for which patients will be willing to travel abroad are:

·         Cancer Treatments (71%)

·         Stem Cell Therapy (68%)

·         Chronic Diseases Treatment (61%)

·         Dentistry Procedures (58%)

·         Heart Surgery Procedures (58%)

·         Organ Transplant (57%)

·         Orthopedic Surgeries (56%)

·         Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery (55%)

·         Eye / Lasik Surgeries (53%)

·         Wellness Programs (52%)

When choosing the medical destinations, patients take into consideration factors such as the quality and availability of the needed treatment, prices, proximity to their home country, if the hospital has accreditation and the doctor training and experience. The results of the survey have showed that the top 10 most chosen medical destinations are: Mexico, India, Thailand, Germany, United States, Costa Rica, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and the United Kingdom.

More and more consumers are not limiting themselves to the solution local doctors are recommending. They are exploring outside the local boundaries, regionally and, in many cases, globally for the option that fits their health care buying behavior, being motivated by price, quality, accessibility and second opinions.

About PlacidWay

PlacidWay, a leader in the medical tourism industry, offers health travelers extensive, reliable information related to medical travel destinations, international medical providers, foreign treatment packages and resources. PlacidWay's network has over 250 renowned medical centers from more than 30 countries. PlacidWay is able to help customers from all over the world get access to personalized, safe, and affordable medical care, no matter where they are from, meeting their budget requirements. 

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How Ebola Kills

Ebola is a deadly virus that is all set to spread its fangs to every corner of the earth. It is incurable for now.

Ebola is causing havoc all over West Africa as we speak. It can be easily termed as a killer that is meticulous and has no mercy. The symptoms start with fever, a rash that is raised, vomiting and excessive weight loss. Soon it takes over the whole body and before you get time to think, the person has lost the battle. Let us read some more about how Ebola kills human beings.

1. Attack at Molecular Level

Ebola is very frightening because unlike other infections this one reaches the molecular level of the body. It is capable of devastating every tissue and organ in the body. Only thing it spares is bones and skeletal muscles.

2. The Onset

Once the virus settles inside the body it starts converting collagen to mush and starts dissolving the deep most layers of the skin. The blood starts clotting and the thickened blood stream leads to external and internal hemorrhage.

3. How Does it Start

Death comes after the whole body is deprived of blood. But at the onset it first goes for the immune system of the body. The lymphocytes are killed so that the defenses of the body go down. It is more aggressive than AIDs as the rate of tearing immune cells far more aggressive. The virus also produces several forms of proteins that block the signals from the immune cells to reach the antibodies. Once the first line is down, the virus is unstoppable.

4. The Collagen Attack

The patient will now feel feverish, have strong headaches, his appetite will go down. The virus starts multiplying in the collagen layer and soon starts feeding on it. The skin becomes liquid to touch and on the slightest pressure starts to tear. The bleeding is unstoppable and leads to the death of the patient.

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Why People Need Air Ambulances

The first hour of any medical emergency can technically determine its outcome. Read on to find out why people and not just soldiers on the line of duty are in need of air ambulances or other travel medical assistance.

People who do not have direct access to medical facilities or live in remote areas can benefit tremendously form the facility of Air Ambulances. Travel medical assistance companies all over the world are today working with leading healthcare service providers and government agencies, to ensure medical assistance is made available to all patients in need. Let’s read some more about the necessity of air ambulances in today’s time.

1. Equipped With Latest Technology

Air ambulances today are equipped with modern technology and latest gadgets to handle all kinds of medical emergencies.

2. Get Access to Remote Locations

Air ambulances can transport a patient from a remote area where other modes of transportation might not be possible. Civilians can get access to the best medical facilities in a medical emergency.

3. Professional Handovers

Air ambulances have on board commercial medical escorts and other professional paramedic staff who are trained to take and give efficient handovers. They take a complete handover from the present facility to the receiving facility. They are also trained to handle any medical emergencies and take snap decisions.

4. Ideal for All Kinds of Categories

Air ambulances today are being used by patients from all kinds of backgrounds. From transporting civilians to soldiers form the warfront, air ambulances are now used everywhere and on a frequent basis. They are a boon in trauma situations where the patient is critically ill and needs immediate attention. 

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World Kindness Day – How I Celebrated It Last Year

November the 13^th is celebrated world over as World Kindness Day, the day we all do one thing nice for somebody else.

You do not need to learn to be kind from a handbook. It comes naturally to all human beings. The moment you put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, half the confusion is over.

Although we all should be kind all year through, but on this day a special effort is totally justified. I still remember how I spent World Kindness last year. Read on more to know all about it.

1.  Give Compliments

On this day last year I made it a point to give compliments to at least three people I met. And they were genuine compliments that made their day. On my list were my daughters teachers, my neighbor and my friend with whom I jog.

I also went to an old age home nearby and spent a complete day with them, helped them with their daily tasks, had mini enjoyable sessions. To my wife's surprise, I cooked some food too for them.

2.  A Hand Written Note

Next I wrote a note to my wife to thank her for being such a wonderful, wife, mom and my friend. I also realized how much difference a hand written note makes. Next on my list were a few of my neighbors. 

3. Said Good Morning

In our morning rush we sometimes even forget to exchange pleasantries. I made it a point to wish a pleasant good morning to everybody I met in the elevator that day. And have decided to do this every day.

4. Cleared the Park

I jog in the park daily and also take my kids there to play. On 13^th November I decided to clean it up too. I took a garbage bag with me and picked up all the litter I could see. Soon my friends joined me and made the place spick and span.

5. Spread the Message on Social Media

I decided to spread my cheer to the virtual world too. I spent the next 24 hour spreading positivity all around on all social sites. People were surprised at first but soon responded with more positive messages.

It was a happy day for me and I have a lot of plans this year too. This may include:
1. Helping poor children- at least 5.
2. I like visiting old age homes, so I will visit them this year too.

What is your idea of celebrating this day? Tell us in comments.

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