Top 5 Mistakes When Planning Treatment Abroad: How to Avoid Them?

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Arranging treatment at leading global clinics is a multi-step process that requires preparation time and certain financial expenses. There are a number of challenges when planning a trip, because often the average patient does not have this kind of experience.

Clinics have their own websites, which are translated into various languages, making it easy to access necessary information. However, the information provided is not always logically structured or relevant. In this article, we will highlight five common mistakes when organizing a medical trip to foreign clinics.

Mistake #1: Choosing a Clinic Solely Based on Reviews

Reviews play an important role in choosing a medical center and can significantly influence the patient’s decision. They provide information about the quality of services, qualifications of doctors, service level, and overall atmosphere. However, relying on reviews only is insufficient to form a well-rounded opinion and make a final choice. The main disadvantage of reviews is their subjectivity, which can distort facts (a one-time negative experience is not always indicative of overall quality). Furthermore, people interpret information differently: what seems problematic to one person may be insignificant to another.

It is also important to consider that prestigious clinics around the world may have a number of negative reviews. Patients tend to quickly share negative experiences, while they often forget to leave positive feedback.

Top European hospitals closely monitor the information published on their websites. But sometimes reviews written by competitors to discredit the clinic or, on the opposite, by supporters as a promotion, slip into the network. This in many ways complicates the choice and confuses the patient planning a medical trip.

How to Solve This Problem?

Choosing the right clinic is one of the most important steps in planning treatment. Focus on the following aspects when making your decision:

Specialization: Choose a clinic based on the specific condition or procedure you need. Specialized centers focus on specific treatments and guarantee the presence of specialized equipment and qualified doctors. Multi-disciplinary hospitals emphasize a holistic approach, which is suitable for comorbid patients.
Accreditation: This indicates that the medical center meets global standards for safety and quality.
Technical Equipment: This includes not only modern equipment for surgeries and procedures, but also for the rehabilitation period. Comfortable conditions for hospital stays should also be considered when planning inpatient care.
Doctor’s Qualifications and Reputation: Extensive experience in complex procedures and a good track record directly affect diagnosis accuracy and treatment effectiveness. A competent doctor should have all the necessary skills to solve the patient’s problem..
Reviews: Always consider reviews, but do not rely on them completely. They are just one part of the argument when weighing the pros and cons.

Mistake #2: Refusing the Services of an Interpreter

Linguistic precision and understanding in medicine are of utmost importance. A conversation between a patient and clinic staff is usually brief but crucial. It is important to get every word right, because the outcome of the therapy or procedure will depend on it. Misunderstanding medical terms or incorrect interpretation can lead to negative consequences.

Additionally, it is not only the patient who needs to understand the doctor, but vice versa. Patients who do not speak the language of the country where they are being treated may struggle to communicate their condition, express concerns, explain symptoms, and ask specific questions.

Medical history and instructions for care and rehabilitation are also written in a foreign language. Online translators often make mistakes and lack specialized terminology, which can lead to mistakes and inaccuracies in interpreting the treatment process and recommendations.

How to Solve This Problem?

Most top global clinics working with international patients ensure their comfort during their stay by offering interpreter services. These interpreters assist patients at every stage:

Present during doctor consultations and examinations
Available for phone consultations (for example, when there is an unscheduled doctor’s round, or if the interpreter cannot be physically present)

It is important to inquire about the availability and cost of interpreter services at the chosen clinic in advance. European hospitals typically set fixed rates for language assistants, either by the hour or by the day. If the chosen clinic does not provide the necessary specialist, Hospitality Medservice can arrange a certified interpreter in advance.

Mistake #3: Not Giving Sufficient Attention to Post-Diagnosis and Treatment Recovery Plans

Treatment is the core of a medical trip to world-renowned clinics. It becomes the primary focus, often distracting patients from other important aspects. One of these is recovery and rehabilitation. However, sometimes clinics themselves do not provide detailed instructions and recommendations for the post-operative period.

Often, patients coming for diagnosis or treatment of a certain duration do not take into account the recovery time after the procedure or surgery. For instance, when visiting for an ophthalmological examination, a doctor may use eye drops to dilate the pupils. This makes the eyes sensitive to bright light, causing irritation and tearing. The recovery process depends on the individual’s body, with some patients recovering in an hour and others taking up to two days.

Some treatments require outpatient recovery, where patients follow recommendations at home or only visit the hospital for certain procedures. This requires thoughtful logistics and accommodation planning.

How to Solve This Problem?

Here are some tips for properly planning the recovery period:

During the trip organization stage, ask the chosen doctor about the specifics of rehabilitation, how it will proceed, and how much time will be required (on average).
Plan transport logistics in advance (how to get to the clinic and back) and ensure the possibility of extending bookings in case the treatment duration changes.
For short diagnostic procedures, reserve at least one extra day to assess your condition, and if possible, plan the return flight not immediately after the procedure.

Mistake #4: Not Budgeting for Hidden (Additional) Costs

Buying tickets and paying for treatment at a clinic are far from the only expenses, as it may seem. Even if the treatment will take place in hospital, there will be a need for transfer and interpreter services (as discussed earlier).

Additionally, unforeseen expenses can arise when preparing for planned treatment. For example, a patient may have already agreed on a surgical treatment program with the clinic. However, during the pre-hospitalization consultation, the doctor may require updated research data (CT, MRI, lab tests), and the nearest available slot for this diagnostic procedure could be several days away, or the results may take two days to prepare, which the patient was unaware of beforehand. As a result, the surgery will be delayed until the doctor receives the necessary results, and the patient will incur additional costs for accommodation and meals.

A correctly diagnosed condition and an approved treatment plan do not guarantee the absence of additional costs. Sometimes, during surgical interventions, unforeseen expenses can arise: specific tests may suddenly be required, or the program of the surgery may increase. Even during the rehabilitation phase, things might deviate from the plan—more recovery days may be required.

Before treatment begins, the clinic sends an invoice for a deposit—this is an estimated budget for upcoming medical expenses. The final bill will only be issued after treatment is complete, based on actual costs. The final amount may decrease or increase. It is important to be prepared for this, especially in cases of complex diagnoses. Even with the same disease, expenses can vary greatly between patients because they depend on coexisting conditions and other personal factors.

How to Solve This Problem?

After choosing the country, medical center, and doctor, the next question is about the type of therapy. There is a significant difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment, and with the second option, you need to plan for additional costs for accommodation, transport and daily needs. It’s important to contact the clinic in advance to get a detailed response on migration matters.

It is also better to address potential unforeseen expenses in advance. Create a list of potential issues that may arise during treatment at foreign clinics. Always have some money in reserve, preferably in cash: banking systems do not always allow transactions via cards from another country. Those who organize such trips on a daily basis are familiar with what additional costs can arise and how much to budget for them in specific regions. Unfortunately, advice from acquaintances or reviews from three years ago might distort the financial picture, as the cost of medical services is unstable these days.

At Hospitality Medservice, experienced doctors handle trip organization, identifying key issues related to the treatment plan, advising on timelines, and necessary tests during the pre-hospital phase. If these issues are not addressed properly, overall costs can rise significantly, and the treatment process may be delayed.

Mistake #5: Not Using the Services of Facilitators Due to Perceived High Costs

There is a common misconception that medical tour operator services are expensive, which later leads to higher overall treatment costs. Sometimes patients simply do not trust these services, believing that their needs will not be fully considered.

It also happens that someone who has undergone treatment several years ago feels confident in their understanding of the process. However, this may not be the case. The medical field evolves rapidly, and conditions for assistance, obtaining visas, and airline services may change. Missing an important detail could jeopardize the entire trip.

How to Solve This Problem?

Yes, the services of a specialized tour operator are paid separately, but this is fully compensated by their individualized approach and providing accurate, comprehensive information at each stage. Such organizations help avoid significant mistakes, saving both time and money. In fact, the cost of a medical tour operator is often much lower than the financial loss incurred due to improper planning.

To summarize, all the mistakes patients make during the planning phase stem from incomplete or inaccurate information, a lack of awareness, and unfamiliarity with important aspects. Turning to a professional medical tour operator for organizing a trip to a foreign clinic makes the process more efficient and safer. Hospitality Medservice has been working in medical tourism for over 20 years, has a transparent and reasonable pricing policy, and always protects the interests of its clients.

Let’s go over the critical points that were revealed in the article from the very beginning, which can definitely be avoided by seeking professional help:

Don’t choose a clinic based solely on reviews. There are many criteria for making a final decision, and it’s important to consider each one, starting with specialization and accreditation.
Use the services of an interpreter for your comfort in an unfamiliar linguistic environment and to ensure the success of your treatment.
Pay due attention to the recovery plan after diagnosis and treatment.
Budget for hidden (additional) expenses such as insurance, transfers, and unforeseen procedures (tests, increased surgical program).
Trust the organization of your trip to professional assistants. When planning treatment at world-renowned clinics, there are numerous complexities that are hard to handle without proper experience. Trying to go it alone will not reduce costs, but will increase both time and financial expenses.

Hospitality Medservice is your trusted partner in finding the best clinic worldwide. On our website, we represent only reputable medical institutions with advanced facilities and the latest treatment protocols. Explore clinics, get to know the doctors, compare treatment costs, and reach out to us for assistance with organizing:

Treatment travel
In-person appointments
Video consultations
Second opinions

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Reviewed by: Marianna Sharipova, MD, Medical Director of HMS, 20 years of experience in medical tourism.
Author: Anna Kukarkina, Doctor