Hunglish.orgConsidering traveling abroad for either cosmetic surgery or cosmetic dentistry but don't know how to choose the right doctor or dentist? Find the information to guide you here.
Over the last several years, traveling abroad for treatment has become a viable alternative for many as savings are significant abroad, and doctors and dentists can be equally, if not better trained than those at home. However, in order to capitalize on all those savings, you need to pick the right doctor and that's not an easy task.
Let's face it, just like home, all doctors and dentists are not created equal. No insult intended, it's just a fact of life.
In your home town, you might normally ask a family member or friend for advice on whom to turn to in the local area for treatment. By taking this simple step, you significantly decrease the risk. In comparison, when considering traveling abroad for treatment, many are simply turning to the Internet to find travel destinations and doctors and not speaking with reference patients who've used those doctors before they make a decision.
Furthermore, with an ever growing number of adverts claiming savings anywhere from 30% - 90%, the selection process has become harder, so, in the end, you get overwhelmed with all the information and claims presented to you and just default back to choosing the doctor or dentist with the lowest price and/or most exotic travel destination.
This is simply not enough and it can cost you significantly in the end if something doesn't go right and you need to return to that doctor, pay for your return travel and take additional time off work. A major headache that you weren't expecting.
Don't forget that when choosing a doctor abroad, you need to follow exactly the same selection process as you would at home. I have personally managed hundreds of patients traveling abroad for dental treatment to Budapest, Hungary and besides asking the usual questions like can you send the doctor's cv and before/after photos? Or how many of the particular treatment has the doctor done? etc., in my opinion, you need to ask to speak with other reference patients who've had similar treatments with that particular physician.
Good doctors have good reputations that spread quickly. In many cases, they should be able to provide you with at least 1-3 references who've recently traveled to them for a similar treatment as yours from either your local town, region and/or country. The major advantage to speaking with someone from your home country is they are most familiar with your home culture, customs and expectations for health treatment and aftercare.
Satisfied clients, in general, are more than willing to make a good reference for a good doctor and I sincerely believe that speaking with them on the phone or via email gives the best overall picture of what you can expect from the doctors, their staff, the clinic, accommodation options and, finally, the 'to dos' and 'not to dos' in the destination city you choose. So, when you're doing all your research about traveling abroad for treatments, don't forget one of the most important questions – “Can I speak with someone from my country who has had my treatment with you recently?”
When added to all the other information you receive from others, you'll feel more confident about your choice, less likely to be disappointed and, in the end, you'll get the results you were expecting and save.
Dr. Randy Simor
www.meditourshungary.com