Medical Tourism – be part of the avant-garde or stay with the old guard

…the two will coexist - but the former is destined to become the Mainstream

ruffling feathers

…at first blush

“at first blush” (i.e., when you first see it), this article, will, no doubt, ruffle some feathers (upset, annoy or offend) - but it is all for a good cause – and even those whose feathers get ruffled, will agree, that in the long-term interests of their business, the “message” is well-worth taking seriously.

the reason to Transform and Repurpose

…deal with the shortcomings (in the form of Fallacies, Deficiencies and Failings)

I am known for having undertaken to transform Medical Tourism (from conventional to contemporary) and to repurpose it (from a “need” to a “want”).

As to “why transform and repurpose” – the clear answer is: to deal with the shortcomings (in the form of fallacies, deficiencies and failings) associated with Conventional Medical Tourism.

A shorter reason for the transformation and repurposing is that Medical Tourism, as originally conceived and practiced, had exhausted its repertoire.

Having done this (i.e., the transformation and repurposing), no one is claiming that Conventional Medical Tourism will cease to exist.

The two will coexist.

Nevertheless, the avant-garde (represented by those championing Contemporary Medical Tourism) is destined to become the Mainstream.

Of course, as with every newly-introduced “thing”, it will initially, be resisted by change-averse incumbents, who fear it will rock their boat, because they value their “comfort zone” more than the “Optimal Performance Zone”.

But those who find the time and make the effort, only have to look at the outcomes of the transformation and repurposing process to decide if they want to continue being driven by “dogma” or to now, opt for “reason”.

the “how”

…introduce a new model that makes the existing model obsolete (the Buckminster Fuller approach)

As to the how, I point to Richard Buckminster Fuller who taught us that to bring about change, one needs to introduce a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

The transformation of Medical Tourism – from conventional to contemporary – was a case of “bringing about Change”.

Buckminster had warned: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

BTW, Richard Buckminster Fuller was an American architect, systems theorist, designer, inventor and futurist who was twice expelled from Harvard University and never completed his formal education.

He developed the geodesic dome - the only large dome that can be set directly on the ground as a complete structure.

what Contemporary Medical Tourism is all about

…which makes it attractively different

Although Contemporary Medical Tourism is literally, “a whole new world” – with several features which “attractively” differentiate it from the conventional “model”, in this article I point to the most impactful ones.

As a start, the contemporary version has repurposed the activity from a need (to be endured, for the most part, due to financial circumstances), to a “want”.

“want-based” Medical Tourism does not rely on price and availability for its “attractiveness” and competitive advantage.

Instead, it is designed to be “desired”.

If one is given the choice – “want” trumps “need” – every time.

Steve Jobs is quoted as saying “I want people to want the iPhone – not to need

The following are some of the other “things” which impactfully distinguish Contemporary Medical Tourism:

• offered and delivered services are expected to be evidence-based and to represent “best practices” (where these have been established)
• Price Transparency
• more “faith and trust” is placed on established reputation (which is acquired) than certification / accreditation (which is bought)
• less reliance on Medical Tourism Facilitation – which, instead of an obligatory gateway, is now expected to be a convenience and a discretionary service - available to be used “if, when and how” one decides
• discourages – and in fact, condemns - cut-throat competition (which inevitably, has a detrimental effect on quality)
• gives the opportunity for Health Consumers to do “window shopping” (as part of Waft Strategy)
• is part of ht8 (and in fact, heads the “list”)
• much of Medical Tourism will be part of "blended purpose" travel (not just for Treatment Abroad) – i.e., be “part and parcel” of a “travel, tourism and hospitality”
• more about the “lite” version of the activity (medical assessment, check-ups and office-based treatments) than serious hospital-based treatments or surgical procedures
• more pronounced “segmentation” and “stratification”

See: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/repurposing-medical-tourism-constantine-constantinides-m-d-ph-d-/?.

BTW, at the time of writing, this article had 1000+ views / impressions.

Some of these “listed items” are expanded upon further down.

Medical Tourism Facilitation for the Internet Century

…available to be used “if, when and how” you decide

In Conventional Medical Tourism, facilitation (intermediation) plays a dominant role. In fact, it is practically an obligatory gateway.

Contemporary Medical Tourism does not aim to do away with the profession but wants it to be a convenience and a discretionary service - available to be used “if, when and how” one decides.

The Internet Century Medical Tourism Facilitator addresses those who:

• cannot do it themselves (who are becoming "fewer and fewer")
• cannot be bothered to – do not want to - do it themselves

I see this “shift” as a form of “liberation”.

See: Medical Tourism Facilitation for the Internet Century - ?https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/medical-tourism-facilitation-internet-century-constantine/ ?.

“segmentation” and “stratification”

…more pronounced

With the introduction of the “contemporary” version of Medical Tourism, “segmentation” and “stratification” will be more obvious and pronounced.

“segmentation & stratification” refers to and explains where particular Health Consumers come from and where they go – and which health consumers opt go “where” (destination), for their Medical Tourism.

See:?https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/medical-tourism-industry-market-segmentation-constantine/?.

more medical assessment and “check-ups” than treatments

…Medical Tourism “lite”

As part of the “healthification of society”, a lot of Medical Tourism will be about the “lite” version of the activity (comprehensive health assessment, check-ups and office-based treatments) than serious hospital-based treatments or surgical procedures.

Much of the “lite” version of Medical Tourism will be done during resort stays.

The phrase "the Healthification of Society" means: the broad adoption and implementation of concepts and practices which (aim to) attain, maintain and restore Health.

The term “lite” is an informal variant of light, usually used as an adverb meaning “being less complex” (Grammarly.com).

See:

• https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/healthification-society-constantine-constantinides-m-d-ph-d-/?
• https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/medical-tourism-lite-constantine-constantinides-m-d-ph-d--1f/?

Medical Tourism as part of "blended purpose" travel

…not just for Treatment Abroad

With the “healthification of society”, the repurposing of Medical Tourism, the advent of “Medical Tourism lite” – and with the help of ht8 - it is inevitable that we will see a rise in Medical Tourism as part of Blended Purpose Travel.

A “blended purpose” is one which has more than one objective - which, of course, can include the “consumption” of health-related service in the context of Medical Tourism.

See: Medical Tourism as part of "blended purpose" travel -?https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/medical-tourism-part-blended-purpose-travel-constantine/?.

given the opportunity to “play both sides”

…it is not an “all-or-nothing” proposition

What is being offered by Contemporary Medical Tourism is not an “all-or-nothing” proposition.

This is because Contemporary Medical Tourism is not about throwing anything away – but about adding something new to something old – to make it “today relevant”.

The two will co-exist – but with the progressive decline in the demand for the “need” version.