Although this all started with people seeking complicated essential surgeries, many are now taking advantage of the excellent cosmetic surgery options available abroad.  Medical tourists come from all over the world, but primarily from North America, Japan, Europe and the UK. Popular destinations for the medical tourist include; Thailand, India, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Most of the hospitals promoting their services are internationally certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), or the International Standards Organization (ISO  9001), which ensures their facilities are congruent with international standards.

North America has been slower to embrace medical tourism in comparison to the rest of the world. Health tourism has often been perceived as risky due to lack of knowledge and deception by overpriced facilities in the Americas. Western residents have only recently been exposed to the idea of seeking healthcare outside of their own borders. The reality of medical travel is that hospitals and clinics that cater to the international market are often some of the best in the world. Many of these hospitals are even staffed by physicians trained in the United States or Europe. Additionally, doctors are being supported by more registered nurses per patient than any western facility, and provide recovery rooms that more resemble posh hotels. All of this translates into very attractive packages being offered to the prospective client.

Growth is the trend foreseen by experts for the medical tourism market. Patients in Britain, Canada and the US, frustrated with long wait lists and outrageous pricing represent a significant market for less expensive, high quality medical care. Medical tourism is booming, and is expected to generate 4.4 billion dollars a year by 2012. With Thailand alone treating over 1 million international patients a year, medical travel will undoubtedly play an important role in the healthcare segment for years to come.

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