The number of people deciding to jump on a plane to seek medical care outside their countries has been on the steady rise in the last few years. Every year, ten (10) million persons travel to a different country to find treatment for their healthcare problems. In spite of these numbers of people going for medical tourism, many patients are skeptical about being treated abroad.
Whether bariatric surgery or a medical checkup, more people are looking for exotic places to get quality treatment. But beneath their quest for medical tourism, there lies some fear about the outcome of the treatment. Before you board the plane to your chosen country for medical treatment, there are factors you have to consider. A thorough examination of factors like credibility and success rate of the chosen clinic are among crucial factors to consider. When it comes to choosing the right clinic in the European Union (EU) for medical tourism, Weight Loss Riga is a good destination. If you nurse fears about finding the right clinic, here are seven (7) factors to consider when choosing a clinic.
1. International Accreditations and Certifications
The first thing to keep in mind about selecting a clinic for medical tourism is the international recognition. It wouldn’t be a bad idea settling for a clinic that has a high success rate however, international recognition is another big advantage.
Before you take off on the next flight to a clinic you’ve found online, check if the clinic has international accreditations because this is proof that the clinic offers quality health care services. Checking the list of hospitals with accreditations is a good way to start off.
The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a credible organization that accredits hospitals. The essence of these accreditations is to make sure clinics met the standards set by an external accrediting organization like JCI. When selecting a clinic, look out for one that has JCI accreditation. A clinic accredited by JCI is sure of offering quality care.
Apart from accreditations, also look out for certifications. Other certifications like ISO 9000 are a good indicator of the clinic’s quality health care service. There are yet-to-be accredited clinics that offer quality health care services. However, it is wise to choose a certified clinic. Incidences of mishaps are on the low at such hospitals as their services were duly examined before accreditation. In addition to accreditation, look out for the surgeons memberships and training details. See below Weight Loss Riga’s details:
Congresses and conferences:
· Los Angeles, IFSO2010, XV World Congress, USA
· New Delhi, IFSO 2012, XVII World Congress, India
· Istanbul, IFSO 2013, XVIII World Congress, Turkey
· Montreal, IFSO 2014, XIX World Congress, Canada
· Tallinn, BAS, The 3rd Congress of The Baltic Association of Surgeons, Estonia
· Riga, BAS, The 4th Congress of The Baltic Association of Surgeons, Latvia
· TYCO Healthcare Education Centre, Elancourt, Bariatric Master Class, France
· Surgery Department Azienda Unita Sanitaria Locale di Reggio Emilia Ospedale di Gustalla, THD / transanal dearterisation / training, Italy
· St.Claraspital Basel “Swiss Endos “ Fribourg, Bariatric surgery training (sleeve gastrectomy), Switzerland
· Sahlgrenska Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Revisional bariatric surgery, Sweden
· Private clinic Oslo, Bariatric surgery training (Roux-Y Gastric Bypass), Norway
· Clinical Centre ISCARE – Lighthouse Prague, SAGB QS Course with Hands – on Training, Czech Republic
· Bruges, Advanced Course In Revisional Procedures & Management of Complex Cases in Bariatric surgery, Belgium
· Private clinic Stockholm, Bariatric surgery training (Roux-Y Gastric Bypass), Sweden
· Gdansk, Advanced Bariatric Surgical Procedures, Poland
Memberships:
· Member of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO)
· Member of the Latvian bariatric surgeon association
· Member of the Latvian surgeon association
With this incredible list, Weight Loss Riga is proud to have some of the most trained medical staff in the industry!
2. Financial Costs
The major factor that propels patients to medical tourism is the cost of treatment. Most times, medical costs are cheaper outside one’s home country. But there are other times when you have to spend more than you bargained for. Keeping in mind the financial cost of health care services is one factor that influences the choice of a clinic.
When looking for a clinic, be careful not to settle for the lowest price. Sometimes, low-priced clinics equate low health care service. Apart from the treatment, flight costs should also be considered. For instance, travelling farther distances brings about more costs. The choice of a clinic has to be closer to your home country.
On the other hand, you might have to take someone along with you. Treatments like bariatric surgery demand presence of a patient’s family to keep him company throughout the procedure. The local cost of living like accommodation plays a crucial role in choosing a clinic. You need to check the hotel costs for your companion and yourself before settling for a clinic. It is worth noting that some clinics integrate all costs into their bills. From pick-up at the airport to hotel accommodation, there are chances you won’t pay for these services. However, their costs reflect in your bill at the end of the treatment.
If you want to avoid the high bills, it is better to check the financial costs of your treatment before you take off. A grasp of the flight costs cost of treatment and local cost of living will help you arrive at a decision. If the financial implication will dip a hole in your pocket, then search for an alternative.
Weight Loss Riga provides low cost, quality procedures. We’re located in Latvia, which is part of the European Union and we have liability insurance that helps to offer protection to patients of Weight Loss Riga. We are unique because we combine supreme quality with low costs.
3. Hospital’s Specialties
Most hospitals abroad provide treatments for many conditions. Patients are always quick to catch available flights to choice places without considering the hospital’s specializations. It is quite true that many hospitals engage in many medical treatments but there are some treatments that they are renowned for.
In Riga, the capital city of Latvia, few clinics offer bariatric surgery. For instance, Weight Loss Riga provides many weight loss procedures like gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. Weight Loss Riga specializes in these treatments and perform over 500 procedures annually.
Before you choose a clinic, check that the clinic performs the procedure many times per year. This way, you’re sure of getting the best service from experienced personnel.
Check too that you are able to engage with current and former patients of the clinic. Weight Loss Riga enables this by giving you access to an exclusive Facebook group where you can interact with real present and former patients: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WeightLossRiga/
4. Board Certified Doctors
It will be hard for a clinic to stay long in business if the health care service is not up to standard. Apart from the attainment of international certifications, doctors are major forces that move a clinic to global acceptance. When choosing a clinic, find out the professionalism of the medical personnel.
It is important to make sure the doctors are board certified. By board certification, these doctors can practice across countries. For instance, a doctor who was certified in his country can work in any country in the world. As doctors are the brainbox of a clinic, it is vital to find out their expertise in the treatment you seek.
You can seek professional advice from some other local doctor before going on medical tourism. Doctors are in tune with the latest trends and your local doctor can provide information about the medical staff of the clinic you’re eyeing. Thorough research into the profile of a doctor is a good idea. Before you set off, if you have the means, try to get in contact with the doctor to handle your case.
At Weight Loss Riga, we’re happy to say that our surgeon is certified and believes in ongoing education and the attendance of trainings and conferences.
5. Ask About Safety Figures
It will not be good news that a supposedly life-saving procedure turned to a death trap. It is important to check the success rate of the clinic before settling for it. A clinic with high success rates and positive reviews from treatments is a good choice.
Reading into the success rate can tell you your chances of a successful procedure. It is also important to find out if the clinic has modern equipment to handle the medical procedure you seek. While you ask after the safety figures, check the number of readmitted patients. If they are much, it is a red light that the clinic has reputation for poor jobs. A clinic with low morbidity (death rate) and the high success rate is a good pick for medical tourism.
6. Environment and Hospital Reputation
It is better to choose a medical tourist-friendly city. In spite of the fact that medical personnel at the clinic are friendly, you might still interact with local people in the city at some point. Walking into a bar for coffee and getting turned down because you’re a foreigner is not too good an experience. A good clinic should be located within a friendly city where patients can feel relaxed during their treatments.
The clinic’s reputation also matters. Find out the acceptance of the chosen clinic in the region. For instance, local residents will shower praises on the clinic if the service is good. A positive feedback from is a clue that getting a treatment there is not worth it. If you have friends living around the clinic, enquire the type of service they offer and the acceptability of the clinic by patients. You can also check if the clinic has a Facebook group where patients can interact freely with prospective patients, like Weight Loss Riga’s Facebook group.
7. Fully Integrated Clinic
A good clinic should be able to bridge the communication gap. For instance, if you’re from an English-speaking country and your medical tourism is taking you to a Latvian-speaking city, chose a clinic that has translators. With this in place, you will have effortless communication with the medical team throughout your stay at the clinic. At Weight Loss Riga, our medical staff is fully bilingual! We’re proud to speak with you in fluent English.
Weight Loss Riga: The Best Clinic in the EU for Medical Tourism
The number of patients leaving their home countries to chosen countries for medical treatment is on the increase. Low costs of the treatment, safer procedures and experienced medical personnel are just some of the reasons for medical tourism.
In spite of this, some patients are still skeptical of the success rate. They nurse the fear that they might not get the best treatment in chose clinics. While there are many clinics in the European Union (EU) where you can get great treatments, none compare to price and quality to Weight Loss Riga. Weight Loss Riga offers inexpensive procedures under NHS for patients of the European Union. While there are other clinics, other quiver to compare to Weight Loss Riga’s insurmountable quality and standards, not to mention the insurance available at the facility.
Our facility, located conveniently in the heart of Riga, Latvia, offers a fully trained, certified and passionate medical staff led by a surgeon who is the director of surgery at Riga Hospital. Fluent in English, the medical staff at Weight Loss Riga are happy to make you feel comfortable and confident as you look forward to your results. And why shouldn’t you? With Weight Loss Riga, you’re simply never alone. We are just a phone call away for the 5 years following your procedure. Give us a ring if you’d like to ask questions or if you’re interested in giving us your feedback. Our goal is to help you increase your health and meet your goals. And so many of our patients have!
If you’re wondering what makes a clinic the best, factors like experienced medical personnel, international accreditations, and up-to-date medical equipment are what you should look out for. If you’re looking for a good clinic in the European Union (EU) that has all of these factors, Weight Loss Riga is the perfect destination for you.
