The staggering cost of medical care and surgery combined with unacceptably long wait times in North American hospitals have created a thriving new industry-Medical Tourism. Medical tourism or medical travel is not an entirely new concept. Until recently, medical tourists were usually a very select few who chose to travel for elective surgeries such as tummy tucks and face-lifts, combining surgery with a holiday in a far away locale that ensured both privacy and a pleasant stay. As well, there were also a limited number of people who sought experimental medical treatments for illness and diseases such as cancer in foreign clinics. Today there is a swelling rank of medical tourists comprised of ordinary citizens who seek a wide variety of healthcare services and medical care outside of their home country, and every year that number grows.

For some, medical tourism or international medical travel can literally be a lifesaver, enabling patients to access quality medical services that they might not otherwise be able to afford. In the United States, patients without private health insurance can be faced with exorbitant medical bills for even the most routine surgeries. Sometimes a heartbreaking choice must be made-to have a life saving operation and suffer extreme financial hardship or to not have the medical procedure and deal with the health consequences. For those who are fortunate enough to have private health insurance, some may find that their insurer does not cover all medical procedures or that their insurance plan imposes unreasonable restrictions. In Canada, where public health insurance pays for most medical care, it has been well documented that unacceptably long wait times are forcing patients to take matters into their own hands and head off shore for timely treatment.

Medical tourism has garnered much media attention of late, and word is rapidly spreading about the excellent medical care that is available for bargain prices in countries such as Thailand, Hong Kong and India. In the book, 'Patients Without Borders: Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-class medical tourism,' author Josef Woodman investigates this growing industry. He reports in depth about the high-quality of care available in foreign hospitals and how patients, who have surgery performed overseas, can save up to 80 percent. By example, a heart bypass in India can be had for a fraction of the price of one in the United States.

India has become one of the world's leading destinations for medical travellers. Over the years, India has developed a stellar reputation with medical tourists, due to its state-of-the-art medical facilities that offer advanced medical procedures, such as hip resurfacing, knee replacement, heart surgery, kidney transplant and abdominoplasty, at prices that are a fraction of those charged for similar procedures in North American hospitals.

By utilizing a medical tourism firm, people who may not have otherwise been able to have the surgery or medical treatment are able to seek quality and affordable health solutions. A reputable medical tourism firm specializes in arranging medical travel to a specific country or region that contains some of the best hospitals in the world. Additionally, they ensure that the hospital is staffed with some of the most highly trained surgeons and professional medical personnel available as well as ensuring that the highest of standards and the most modern facilities and equipment are obtainable. Furthermore, reputable medical tourism firms will be aware of the success rate in these hospitals abroad.

The future of medical tourism looks bright. Factors such as improved technology and standards of care and the availability of companies that specialize in arranging medical tourism packages makes international travel for medical services a very attractive proposition. Undoubtedly, the driving force behind the rise in medical travel is the high price of medical services in North America-a factor that is unlikely to change in the near future.