Resumen

Objectives: Understand the motivations driving patients to seek medical treatment abroad. Identify the key factors influencing the choice of destination for medical tourism. Analyze medical tourism's impact on the healthcare system and the patient experience. Explore ethical considerations and the role of regulations in medical tourism. Introduction: Medical tourism is a rapidly growing phenomenon where patients travel across borders to access healthcare services. This trend is driven by cost, quality of care, and availability of specific treatments. The globalization of healthcare has led to medical hubs worldwide, attracting patients seeking specialized care. Materials / method: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing data from various studies, reports, and patient surveys. The research focused on identifying patterns in patient demographics, preferred destinations, and the types of treatments sought. Qualitative interviews with patients and healthcare providers were also conducted to gain deeper insights into decision-making. Results: The analysis revealed that cost savings, access to advanced treatments, and shorter waiting times are the primary drivers of medical tourism. Popular destinations include countries with well-established healthcare infrastructure and internationally accredited hospitals. Patients reported overall satisfaction with the quality of care but highlighted challenges such as language barriers and follow-up care. Conclusion: Medical tourism offers patients access to quality healthcare at competitive prices but presents challenges in regulation, patient safety, and continuity of care. Effective policies and international collaboration are essential to ensure that medical tourism benefits both patients and healthcare systems globally.