India Woos Medical Tourists

aspelling writes "It's not only quality hardware and software that can be done in India for a fraction of the cost. BBC reports that India has a generation of world class doctors capable of doing joint replacement, heart, neuro and cancer surgery at their state-of-the-art facilities. Don't be surprised when your physician prescribes you a trip to Bombay. Indian officials are working hard with HMOs around the world to make this dream come true."

Comments

had an experience with this

[viniosity]

After seeing a number of doctors in SF regarding a kidney stone that just would not pass (over 1 month with the damn thing!), I had the fortune of being in Bombay. On a particularly hard day our local rep took me to see a doctor. While I wouldn't want to expose anyone to the conditions of this particular 'hospital', the doctor was very nice and actually took the time to explain what he was going to prescribe and what it would do. Within 24 hours my stone passed.

This is in stark contrast to the jerk who 'helped' me in SF. "Yeah, drink a lot of water. That'll be $400"

Re:In the West...

[niko9]

Not everyone who goes to medical school is in it for the money. Are there misguided fools who only dream of making quick cash? Sure there are, but you'll find that in any field.

I have been researching a few medical schools as of late, because I wan't to get my DO (doctor of osteopathy) which is the same as an MD.

I hear there has been a shift in the last 10 to 20 years as far as what medical schools are looking for from applicants. They want people who know exactly why they want to be physicians.

I know several fellow paramedics who have just been accepted into medical school with average MCAT scores and are over the of 25.

They understand that these individuals (not just medics, but nurses, EMT's, physican assistants, and people with MBA's who have something to do with medicine) know why they are going to saccrifice their time and effort.

And there are plenty of doctors that I know that don't make that much money. A few general practitioners who work poor urban areas. They do see some patients for free; the equivalent of pro bono work I guess.

As far as medicine being expensive in the West, there are alot more factors contributing to the expenses than a physician's salary.

Overpaid doctors

[otter42]

I personally welcome this. Maybe it's because of the bad taste left in my mouth by seeing the local orthodontist brag about how he only worked a couple hours a week, right before he jumped into his multi-million dollar Mitsubishi turbo-prop. My mom just paid several thousand dollars to have a root canal/tooth cap.

Perhaps it's not the best bet for open heart, but for some of the more insanely priced operations like that I think it make senses.