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I have been operating my Medical Concierge service out of Brazil for about 5 years now and have a total infrastructure of care set up for the patients that I facilitate. Good hospitals and doctors and friendly people in Brazil are easy to come by, however, having consulted for other medical tour facilitators in another latin country, I can absolutely attest to the inherent lack OF, yet essential need FOR specialized in-country care and support services for the patient! Because I was a foreign patient in a foreign land myself, I think I realized right away how you can’t have one without the other! My expertise lies not only in developing the patient support services both in the pre-op planning stages, but the medical concierge support system in Brazil. It is basically a turn key operation with even all important medical forms and documents in perfect medical english, etc… staffing guidelines, scheduling guidelines and training system not only for our “medical escorts” and nursing staff, but for the doctor and their staff as well. This service is an immense support and load off of the back of the surgeons as well. They are thusly, allowed to do what they do best (the surgery!) and MedNetBrazil is there 24/7 for their patient, keeping them informed and coordinating all their care through one centralized dispatch desk.
Another uniqueness to what we have pioneered is that our clients have been some of the “highest risk” patients (post-op gastric bypass patients), prone to complications, staying a long time, having at least two stages of reconstructive surgery a couple weeks apart, so we have had to assemble a “team” of whatever could become necessary to treat or help heal these compromised patients, including special post-op therapies, medical treatments, testing and diagnostic services, connections with other medical specialists (nutritionists, etc) needed by our patients whether for post op complications or ancillary services, testing, etc.
Any “country” or hospital or medical tourism facilitator or tourism company would benefit in making sure, as you mention David, there is a well oiled and working support structure for the patient before they send someone there to “fend for themselves.”
On my consult trip with another medical tourism company (that is mentioned on your site by the way!), in speaking with their patients (as well as other patients that had come on their own or with another company) the complaints and wishes I heard were exactly about this, or really the lack of such a structure so they got to the country and felt alone, couldn’t reach the company that sent them if they had communication problems or misunderstandings, or some other issue. Many complained of lack of consistency in lodging standards (soooo important that the lodging/hotel by PATIENT appropriate and convenient!), aftercare protocol, being nickeled and dimed for things they felt… I mean, the list is endless. Patient advocacy within the country is key. This is being overlooked even by the big insurance companies looking to save some money and send their subscribers abroad. I doubt they realize the specialized care that is necessary for the patient for their time abroad to be a success, both physically and just as important, because one affects the other, emotionally and socially.
If you are in or want to get in to the MT industry and would like to offer Brazil, especially as a plastic surgery destination, please contact me. Also, if you are setting up in country support services or need to, I can help with this too. Remember that “concierge services” are a huge support to the doctor too! Why go to Thailand for Body Contouring and Lipo when the Plastic Surgery capital of the world is right here?! And the ideal body type and facial rejuvenation is inherent in Brazil!

Blessings,
Christina deMoraes, BA, CMC
www.MedNetBrazil.com
877-9-MedNet (pacific time zone)
President, MedNetBrazil Concierge Services, Inc

Why would someone want to go to Korea if they could go to Thailand, Singapore, or India?

It’s a good choice for Korean Americans in particular. In addition there may be some specialty services, such as spinal surgery, that are best in the world.

David Williams

Dear Taylor Miles:

I agree with David, having just visited 10 Korean hospitals earlier this year. Also, depending on where you’re located, flight times are shorter, and Korean Air has non-stops from a number of major North American cities (e.g. NYC, LA, Atlanta, Seattle, Vancouver). Seoul is a relatively easy town, and boasts the world’s largest JCI-accredited hospital (2000 beds).

Hi! Do you happen to have a list of all the academic hospitals in South Korea? My EMBA class is heading to Seoul in April and we are doing a health care market assessment for a PACS client. We would like to tour some of the facilities while on the ground there. Thanks. Kirsten

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