In the exploding business of medical tourism, the medical tourist is faced with the daunting and important task of choosing a doctor once they haven chosen a country for treatment. As discussed in previous articles, the country of treatment should have a strong tradition of medicine, medical research and many competing facilities in different cities throughout that country. This will ensure strong medical associations, licensing enforcement and doctor revue boards. However, the choice of a doctor goes beyond these institutional establishments for those using medical tourism to resolve their health needs.

European Medical Tourist takes the doctor choices it offers its clients seriously. The credentials of all doctors are checked. EMT also interviews former patients, staff and colleagues to assure the quality of doctor. In medical tourism some may become sold on the concept of a giant hospital facility or the fame of a doctor, but these are not necessarily the good indicators of good care. For example, a big hospital may mean a diffusion of responsibility for care of the patient and a famous doctor's skills may wane as he is off lecturing, raising money for a hospital or administrating the hospital. Even statistics about the number of procedures a surgeon may claim can be deceiving especially, when it comes to revision surgeries. Only a broker will know the inside story.

A personal recommendation from a friend and former participant in medical tourism can be helpful, however a one-off experience may or may not have much to do the success of your procedure. Chat rooms and forums may also be unreliable as the hospital's competition may use these facilities to discredit their competition or the hospital may use them to promote themselves.

Tim Vicknair, cofounder
European Medical Tourist