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Travel Author: Laura Carabello, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, CPR Strategic Marketing Communications, and Editor and Publisher of Medical Travel Today and U.S. Domestic Medical Travel Last Updated: Mar 23, 2018 - 10:09:01 AM



Unsung Heroes: Caregivers Play Vital Role for Medical Travelers

By Laura Carabello, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, CPR Strategic Marketing Communications, and Editor and Publisher of Medical Travel Today and U.S. Domestic Medical Travel
Mar 22, 2018 - 3:23:32 PM



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(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Medical tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry that is expected to grow up to 25 percent every year for the next ten years.  As more companies and consumers recognize   the socio-economic advantages of combining the benefits of traveling for treatment – low cost, high quality, less waiting and more options – with the enjoyment of travel, demand will grow exponentially. This is true whether the destination is in the U.S. or around the world.

Two for the Road

Among those who travel for affordable, quality healthcare, either domestically or abroad, 83 percent do so with a companion. Whether undergoing treatments or recovery, the physical and moral support that these caregiver/companions bring to medical travel patients is crucial for a full recovery.


In fact, research demonstrates that companion participation in care is associated with positive patient and physician experiences. Informal healthcare providers include friends, family, and some volunteers who provide essential unpaid care without formal training.


At home, caregivers administer medications, manage wounds and assist with rehabilitation. In hospital settings, they perform tasks that augment care provided by nurses and physicians, such as monitoring symptoms and articulating patients’ preferences to healthcare professionals.


No matter what the setting or location, a companion/caregiver is particularly critical with medical travel because patients may face challenges related to travel, being in an unfamiliar physical environment, and grappling with a different culture and potential language barriers.


Companions play a key role in retaining and transferring the patient’s medical information at a medical facility. They also serve as advocates on behalf of the patient to ensure all their needs are being met and provide a safe and positive medical travel experience.


Many of the medical travel caregiver roles are similar to those of conventional caregivers. They make decisions on behalf of the patient, liaise with formal providers, coordinate appointment scheduling, offer hands-on care, provide emotional and spiritual support, and take responsibility for managing care-related finances.


When it comes to medical travel, family members, especially spouses, are the most common caregivers. They perform their caregiving roles as knowledge brokers, companions and advocates on a continuous basis during the entire trip, as well as back home.


Being the Best Companion/Caregiver

Medical travel caregivers play the essential task of delivering travel and medical/health information between the facility staff and patient. For example, they may ask questions about travel logistics or prescriptions or care options, and ensure the patient understands the information. In some cases, the companion/caregiver may be more familiar with the local language and will serve as an interpreter or translator for the patient. Frequently, they are aware of the patient’s allergies, carry a list of the patient’s medications, ask questions and take notes during discussions with healthcare providers.

The best, most effective, companion/caregivers put the patient’s needs ahead of their own and assist and support the patient during the pre-op, treatment and post-op process. At times, this means ensuring the patient gets to different tests or appointments, watching over the patient after surgery or simply offering emotional support. Caregivers also learn about the patient’s condition, the procedure or treatment, and details surrounding the patient’s convalescence and recovery.

During this time, companion/caregivers should look for opportunities to spend some time to enjoy the local culture and attractions, if possible, as long as it doesn’t compromise their primary job of supporting the patient’s well-being.

It’s important, however, to understand that being a medical traveler companion/caregiver can be a challenging job. A competent caregiver can improve the patient’s health, but one who is less prepared or more focused on sightseeing than assisting the patient, can undermine the care provided. That’s why healthcare providers should do what they can to educate patients and companions about the role of companion/caregiver during a medical trip.

Ensuring Health and Well-Being Around the Globe

Companion/caregivers make sure the patient’s health and well-being is a priority and take on the responsibilities that might otherwise fall to the patient. In this way, caregivers serve to complement the care provided at the hospital facility and buffer medical tourists from the common stresses associated with travel and being in a new environment.


Clearly the medical travel industry is highly dependent on this unpaid service. Just as many of the nation’s caregivers are overlooked, so too are these unsung heroes going unpaid, untrained, and largely unrecognized for the substantial benefits they provide.

 

 



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