Perspective of the patient-tourists on the reproductive tourism

“Cross-border reproductive care” is the primary perspective of the patient’s travels to receive fertility treatment. Since the last three decades, the popularity of assisted reproduction has been significantly enhanced. The outlook on life has changed. This not only modifies lifestyle, but increasing societal pressure, and awareness from readily available information are the factors responsible for changing the preference.

patient-tourists and the reproductive tourism

The assisted reproduction cases are increasing, which helps to provide better information about the success of the techniques. Spreading of information through media, medical journal publication, and health magazine influences the cross-border travel for assisted reproduction.

Nowadays reproductive tourism becomes a trend. The reasons for reproductive tourism are restricted legislation does not permit to pursue the treatment, poor accessibility, higher treatment cost at home country or better treatment quality at the selected site. Therefore, the travelers who opt for reproductive tourism not concern about their traveling factors, but they concern about care. 

Factors which influence the patient’s decision to opt reproductive tourism  

The patient needs to judge both positive and negative factors before selecting the site for reproductive tourism.

Positive factors

Following are some positive factors must be present in the selected site:

  • Cost of the treatment must be relatively low in comparison with local treatment arrangement or other non selected countries.
  • The location must be easily accessible.
  • Favorable legislation.
  • Effective communication.
  • Availability of qualified, experienced and reputed physicians.
  • Adequate infrastructure to support the treatment procedure.
  • Combination of treatment with a holiday. 

Negative factors

Following are some negative factors, which need to consider during the selection of location for reproductive tourism: 

  • Political instability and demonstrations.
  • Language and social barrier.
  • Lack of credential data which support the success rate of the treatment procedure.
  • Overall expensive expenditure.

  Quality of treatment of assisted reproduction

  • Transparency of treatment procedure and cost.
  • Waiting time.
  • Legal aspect.
  • Availability of research evidence through scientific works.
  • Efficient and effective handling of patient’s complaints both treatment-related or others.

Evaluation of assisted reproductive treatment care

  • Safety and hygiene
  • Treatment equality for every patient
  • Effective treatment measure which provides assured success
  • Recreational activities
  • Friendliness, linguistic and overall support system

SWOT Assessment 

Patient’s perspective also depends upon SWOT analysis.

Strength

  • Short waiting list.
  • Liberal legislation.
  • Less ethical conflict.
  • The good climatic condition with a comfortable location.
  • The applied standard of technology is high.
  • Competitive price difference than other prospective location.
  • Reputable clinical infrastructure with the ready availability of resources and professionals.

Weakness 

  • Political instability.
  • Expensive public transport of the selected site.
  • The unstable connection between healthcare and tourism industry.
  • Underdeveloped destination management.

Opportunity

  • Holistic experience for reproductive travelers.
  • Social acceptance of assisted reproductive technology due to the increasing number of infertility globally.

Threats

  • Legal situation can become suitable elsewhere
  • The high rate of pharmaceutical products and donors
  • Enhancement of popularity of other locations for fertility tourism due to the unstable economic condition

The above-mentioned factors of any destination for fertility treatment need to assess in perspective of patients who travel for reproductive tourism. Although none of the locations is free from negative factors, comparable study depending upon the above-mentioned factors helps to determine the suitable site for the individual patient depending upon their preference. 

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