• Pramod Goel
  • Jan 24, 2023

Post-COVID, medical tourism is at a crossroads. The industry is still using data, information, concepts, and processes that were developed more than 15 years ago. The medical tourism industry has not evolved significantly, adopting innovations widely available in other sectors. Still, medical centers are focused on "I am the best, come to me" rather than "why will a consumer choose them"; OR "send me a WhatsApp" rather than "understand Customer Experience/Journey" that will help attract them to the center.

Innovations in Medical Tourism

Medical tourism requires innovations to drive the adoption of new ideas, methods, or products. It can also refer to the process of implementing changes to improve patient acquisition and customer satisfaction. Innovations in the medical tourism industry may result in developing new products or processes that provide a competitive advantage to a medical center or country. 

To usher in a new era of medical tourism, the industry must innovate, which could include advancements in technology, treatments, and communication methods, as well as new business models and partnerships between healthcare providers and the ecosystem that supports the industry. 

Top 10 Innovative Trends to Watch  

Medical tourism, also known as health tourism, medical travel, or global healthcare, is the practice of seeking medical treatment in another country or region. As the industry grows and evolves, several innovative developments are required to meet consumers' changing needs and preferences. 

These medical tourism industry innovations will improve the customer experience, increase efficiency, and differentiate the company from competitors. As technology and consumer preferences evolve, the industry must innovate and adapt to meet the changing needs of patients. 

1. Telemedicine 

Telemedicine is the use of technology to provide medical care remotely. This includes video conferencing to explain how you will treat an international patient, remote patient monitoring, electronic medical records, and virtual aftercare. Telemedicine can assist patients in receiving accurate information and developing a trusting relationship with the doctor and medical staff prior to traveling to a country, reducing surprises, hidden costs, and overall customer experience. By creating customers for life and increasing customer lifetime value, providers can gain a competitive advantage and expand their patient base (CLV). 

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML are increasingly being used in healthcare to improve patient experience and outcomes. AI, for example, can be used to analyze large amounts of international consumer data to identify patterns and forecast patient behaviors and trends. Based on a patient's unique characteristics and medical history, ML can be used to create personalized treatment plans. Personalization can now greatly improve the customer experience with better AI-based translation services and all destination-based logistical support. 

Use of AI to improve international customer acquisition could include: 

  • Predictive modeling: Analyzinge data on customer behavior and demographics to predict which customers are most likely to make a purchase. This can help companies target their marketing efforts more effectively.
  • Personalization: Using AI, marketing messages can be personalized and products recommended to customers based on their browsing and purchasing history. 
  • Chatbots: Interacting with customers on websites and social media, answering questions and guiding them through the purchase process. 
  • Lead scoring: Analyzing lead data and assigning scores that indicate the likelihood of a lead converting into a customer. This can help businesses prioritize which leads to pursue. 
  • Retargeting: AI can be used to analyze customer data to determine when a customer is most likely to make a purchase and then send retargeting ads to increase conversion. 

Overall, AI can assist businesses in more efficiently and effectively acquiring customers by providing insights, personalizing interactions, automating processes, and providing real-time analysis of customer behaviors. 

3. Virtual Reality Experiences​

Medical centers can incorporate virtual reality (VR) experiences to improve the international patient experience. These can include, among other things, virtual tours of the property, operating room previews, virtual reality for simulating before and after outcomes, and personalization of treatment plans. 

Virtual reality (VR) technology, for example, can be used by plastic surgeons in a variety of ways, including surgical procedure planning and simulation, customer training and education, and patient consultation. VR enables surgeons to realistically and interactively visualize and manipulate 3D models of a patient's anatomy, which can aid in pre-operative planning and reduce the need for invasive diagnostic procedures. It also allows for more precise and efficient surgeries, leading to better patient outcomes. 

4. Personalized and Customized Recommendations

Healthcare, like many other industries, is leveraging data and AI technology to provide patients with personalized recommendations. This could include using technology to tailor medical treatment plans and advice to a patient's specific needs and characteristics. The use of genetic testing to identify potential health risks or drug sensitivities, electronic health records to track a patient's medical history, and remote monitoring devices to track vital signs and other health data are examples of this.   

Medical tourism providers can distinguish themselves by offering international patients individualized and personalized care packages. This can include virtual consultations, tailored treatment plans, travel arrangements, and any personalized offers. The goal of personalized health care technology is to improve patient care and outcomes by providing more accurate diagnoses, more effective treatments, and more efficient care delivery for a global customer. 

5. Integrative Medicine 

Integrative medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that combines conventional Western medicine with complementary and alternative therapies. Rather than addressing specific symptoms or illnesses, it focuses on treating the whole person, including their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Acupuncture, massage therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction are examples of integrative medicine practices. Integrative medicine seeks to assist individuals in achieving optimal health and well-being.  

By developing an integrative medicine approach, the medical tourism industry can differentiate itself and provide a compelling value proposition to consumers. Because local care is generally driven by what is available, combining alternative therapies can improve patient outcomes and create new products that are currently not available in the market for which consumers will travel. 

6. Fintech – Financial Technology 

Fintech, which stands for financial technology, refers to the use of technology to improve and automate financial services. Digital payment systems, online money transfer apps, international foreign exchange applications, integration with third-party digital payor programs, and financial analytics tools are examples of such innovations. Fintech firms frequently make use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data to develop new financial products and services that are more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly than traditional financial services. 

Fintech is having an impact on various industry segments and has the potential to have a significant impact on the medical tourism industry. It will increase digital transparency and trust in comparison to traditional cash-based transactions, which continue to dominate the industry. 

7. Process Automation 

One of the most important factors in medical tourism is how the industry acquires international customers. The use of technology to automate tasks and workflow in the process of acquiring new customers is referred to as customer acquisition process automation. Here are some examples of how automation can be used in customer acquisition: 

  • Lead generation: Automated tools can collect and qualify leads from a variety of sources, including website forms, social media, and email campaigns.
  • Marketing automation: Using automated tools, potential customers can be sent targeted emails, SMS messages, and social media campaigns based on their behavior, demographics, and interests. 
  • Sales automation: The use of automated tools to manage the sales pipeline, track customer interactions, and schedule follow-up tasks. 
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) automation: Automated tools can be used to store, track, and analyze customer data,assisting sales and marketing teams in understanding customer needs and preferences. 
  • Lead Scoring: Sales teams can prioritize which leads to follow up with by using automated systems that assign scores to leads based on their likelihood of converting into customers. 

Companies can focus on more strategic and value-added activities such as customer engagement, retention, and upselling by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Furthermore, automation can improve the customer experience by providing quick responses and personalization, resulting in higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction. 

In the Medical Tourism industry, many patient acquisition processes are being automated by using tools such as smart chatbots and AI-based assistance such as virtual assistants to interact with potential customers and provide them with personalized assistance. This can increase efficiency and optimize overall processes while significantly lowering customer acquisition costs. 

8. Digital Continuum of Care

The use of digital technology to improve patient care across different care settings and over time is known as the Digital Continuum of Care (DCoC). It connects healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, as well as facilitates communication and collaboration among them, by utilizing electronic health records (EHRs), remote monitoring devices, telemedicine, and other digital tools.  

DCoC in the medical tourism industry can help healthcare providers access and share patient information, monitor patient progress, and better coordinate care. DCoC aims to improve the quality and continuity of care, as well as increase patient engagement and satisfaction, while lowering costs and reducing healthcare disparities. There are currently very few options for medical travelers in terms of aftercare. 

The continuum of care in medical tourism refers to the range of services and support offered to people who want to travel abroad for healthcare. It includes all of the steps and stages of care that a person may experience, from remote diagnosis to aftercare. The continuum of care's goal is to provide individuals with the services and support they require at the right time and in the right place, making the medical travel experience memorable. 

9. Behavioral Marketing 

Behavioral marketing is a type of marketing that personalizes and tailors marketing messages and campaigns based on data and insights from customer behavior. To gain a better understanding of customer needs and preferences, it tracks medical travelers' behavior and actions, such as website visits, search queries, and purchase history. This information is then used to create more relevant and engaging marketing messages, such as targeted emails, ads, and offers, for the customer.  

Behavioral marketing in medical tourism can be used in various channels, like email, mobile, social media, and the web.  Behavioral marketing seeks to boost customer engagement, conversion rates, and, ultimately, revenue. This enables medical centers to better understand their customers' purchasing habits and how to market the products and services they provide.  

10. Data Analytics 

Data analytics is the process of examining, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data to extract useful information, draw conclusions, and support decision-making. It involves analyzing data from various sources and uncovering patterns, trends, and insights using various techniques such as statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization. 

Data analytics in the medical tourism industry can include descriptive analytics, diagnostic analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics. Descriptive analytics is concerned with understanding the past, diagnostic analytics is concerned with understanding the present, predictive analytics is concerned with understanding the future, and prescriptive analytics is concerned with making recommendations. Analytics of data can be used to gain a competitive advantage, improve operations, and optimize performance. Industry can make better decisions based on better data than speculating based on hearsay data that has repeatedly proven incorrect.  

Adopt 10 Best Medical Tourism Innovations to Expand Your Practice Globally 

These medical tourism innovations can help improve patient care and outcomes, increase efficiency, lower costs, and expand the industry's size. As technology and medical research advance, the medical tourism industry must innovate and adapt to meet the changing needs of patients and healthcare providers. If new market dynamics are not understood, the industry will continue to suffer and shrink unless there is innovation and a shift in strategic thinking. 

Medical tourism innovations at the national level can result in the development of new products, services, and processes that benefit individuals, organizations, and communities. It can also stimulate economic growth and generate new job opportunities. Furthermore, by providing new ways to differentiate themselves and improve their offerings, innovation can assist businesses and organizations in remaining competitive in an ever-changing medical tourism market. 

In short, innovation is critical for medical tourism progress, improvement, and growth because it allows organizations to adapt to change, improve their offerings, and remain competitive in an ever-changing market. It also contributes to economic growth, job creation, and addressing major societal challenges. 

Please reach out to our PlacidWay team to learn how we can help your practice grow in line with medical tourism trends.