From Diagnosis to Recovery: What International Patients Can Expect During Medical Treatment in India

Scheduling a visit to receive medical care in a foreign country is indeed a daunting task especially for a patient who has a medical complication or condition. In addition to scheduling an appointment, an international patient needs to be aware of what to expect during treatment and also how to plan for the process including the preparation required after arriving at the foreign location.

India has become an important destination for international patients due to its wide range of treatment options across specialties including oncology, cardiology, neurology, orthopaedic surgery and organ transplantation.

But then again the process of receiving medical care in India differs from one patient to another because a patient's choice of treatment depends on many factors such as his medical evaluation, test results and his medical history among other considerations.

This paper aims to shed more light on some of the aspects that a patient should know before receiving treatment in India.

Why Do International Patients Choose India for Medical Treatment? 

In recent years, India has started being chosen by many patients who come from all over the world with the desire to get specialized medical assistance. One of the primary reasons behind this is the presence of highly experienced doctors and multidisciplinary medical staff working in various spheres.

Access to Specialized Medical Staff

There are specialized doctors and multidisciplinary medical teams available in Indian hospitals in a wide variety of medical specialties. Depending on the condition, a person will be able to benefit from various specialists, including surgeons, physicians, oncologists, cardiologists, neurologists, radiologists, physiotherapists, etc.

Such a multidisciplinary approach may help the doctors examine different aspects of the health condition of the patient to choose the right course of treatment.

Advanced Medical Infrastructure

Leading hospitals in India usually have the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies, such as imaging facilities, minimally invasive operations, robots, and surgeries.

Thanks to that infrastructure, people may benefit from different treatment methods.

Various Options for Health Treatment

There could be many reasons for people coming from international countries to visit India, from treating cancers and heart disease to neurological conditions and orthopaedic ailments. With many different fields of expertise found in India’s health care system, it becomes possible for patients to receive specialized treatment through a single healthcare system.

International Patients Support

If you are a person coming from another country for treatment, there are many things besides getting your medical treatment that might interest you as well.

It could be the scheduling, paperwork, transportations and communication. Through a coordinated effort, patients and their family members will become familiar with the realities of receiving treatment abroad.

In the end, all decisions should be made taking into account a patient’s medical needs and the quality of service offered.

Step 1: Sharing Medical Records and Conducting an Initial Evaluation

For international patients, the course of treatment will begin even before their trip to India through sharing accurate information about the medical condition. Information will give healthcare professionals a picture of what the patient needs and what further evaluations are required.

The patient might be asked to share previous medical reports, laboratory findings, imaging studies, biopsy/pathology reports, prescription medication details, previous treatment plans, and surgeries, if applicable. The medical history of a patient and details of all prescribed and ongoing treatment will enable medical specialists to conduct an effective assessment of the case.

After the receipt of necessary records, the information could be evaluated by the right specialist or healthcare professional. According to the received records, doctors can give initial medical advice and find out whether further investigation and consultation are needed for the patient.

It should be kept in mind that an evaluation based on medical records does not necessarily mean final assessment and conclusion. Sometimes doctors could advise patients to have further testing after their arrival in India.

Such an assessment will assist the international patient to have some sort of clarity about the potential route of treatment and enable him to prepare for his upcoming trip. This will also assist in planning his appointments with relevant specialists and healthcare facilities prior to traveling.

Keeping all the records organized and providing complete information right at the start will assist in making the first part of the journey easier.

Step 2: Understanding the Proposed Course of Treatment

When a specialist is done reviewing all the provided medical information, then international patients can start understanding the course of treatment that could be provided. Knowing what to expect can enable patients and their relatives to prepare medically and practically.

The suggested form of treatment may include medicines, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, interventions, rehabilitation, or any other treatment method. Depending on various aspects like the diagnosis, disease staging, previously performed treatments, and patient's health condition, the specialists can decide on the most suitable approach.

The following issues about the proposed treatment need to be discussed by the patient with their medical team: its aim, other options available, hospitalization period, risks associated, and estimated recovery time.

The duration of treatment plays an essential role when choosing a plan for international patients since it affects their travel schedule, where to live in India, and how long the stay should be. However, sometimes the duration of the treatment varies, depending on the patient's reaction to treatment or results of further examination.

In addition to knowing what documents to prepare before traveling, patients should know what other paperwork and additional tests may be needed once they arrive.

A comprehensive discussion about treatment may not resolve all of the unknowns, but it can certainly help patients become more informed and better prepared for their journey ahead.

Step 3: Medical Travel to India Planning

As soon as the possible treatment plan is worked out, foreign patients can start planning their trip. It should be noted that unlike ordinary vacations, medical travel requires proper planning since consultations, investigations and treatments may be time dependent and may depend on the health condition of the patient.

One of the first things to do is to organize necessary paperwork. The patients should make sure that they have all the necessary documents for the trip and have easily accessible copies of their medical documents.

It will be ideal if the dates of the trip coincide with the dates of the consultations. Depending on the type of treatment, the patients will spend several days or even several weeks in India, so accommodation will also be an issue to take care of. Patients who come together with their families or attendants will also need to think about the right accommodation.

Another thing to think about is transportation. Foreign patients might need help in transportation to the airport, transportation to the hospital and transportation in India. Comfortable and easy transportation will be especially important for patients who undergo major procedures.

Another consideration that should be taken into account is communication in cases where either the patient or his/her relative accompanying him/her feels uncomfortable with the local language. The availability of proper coordination in communication would enable the patient to comprehend all the processes involved in the medical journey.

Proper preparation ensures that upon arrival in India, the patient can concentrate on his/her health issues.

Step 4: What Takes Place after Your Arrival in India?

After reaching India, you are ready to go straight into the process of your treatment. According to the patient's treatment schedule, the first step can be the first consultation with the specialist and additional medical examinations.

During the conversation with the doctor, he may consider the patient's medical history, previous reports, and his symptoms more closely. The doctor may also order other tests, including blood tests or additional investigations, which he considers necessary for confirming the diagnosis or choosing a way of treatment.

In-person examination is necessary since the final treatment strategy can change according to the results of the clinical examination. Specialists will decide whether to continue the plan that was already discussed earlier, change it, or offer another treatment plan considering your situation.

In case the treatment will require surgery or any other procedure, the doctors will check the patient's readiness for the procedure and can order the necessary tests.

At this point, both patients and family members must be able to ask questions regarding the treatment, expected hospital stay, recovery process, and potential risks involved.

In cases of international patients, organized support can ease their early experiences at the hospital. It is helpful for the patient to have their appointments organized together with all relevant medical data in advance.

Step 5: Learning about the Nature of Treatment and Hospitalisation

Having been diagnosed and having received a treatment plan, the patient is ready to begin the required treatment. It can be different depending on the disease but it usually involves either a surgical procedure, administration of medicines, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or an intervention.

Before starting the treatment, the specialists may carry out a pre-treatment evaluation aimed at estimating the patient's state and preparing him/her for the procedure. This time should be used to clear up the treatment issues, possible risks, hospitalisation period and recovery period associated with it.

Treatment can include the assistance of a team of specialists, nurses and other healthcare professionals. In case of a complex illness, different specialists can collaborate in order to deal with various aspects of the patient's treatment. Depending on the type of the procedure, the patients may require observation in a special unit before being transferred to a hospital ward.

Hospitalisation periods are different from person to person. Minor procedures imply shorter hospitalisation while surgeries require longer monitoring and recovery time. An appropriate estimate of the period can be provided by the treating physician.

Communication for foreign patients in a hospital setting becomes crucial. It is essential that both patients and their relatives be provided with adequate information about the treatment process, medication, recovery and next steps. Communication with the family may prove to be helpful in reducing stress associated with seeking treatment in a foreign environment.

Prior to being discharged, a patient usually receives certain instructions about medication, exercise, diet, wound care (if any) and appointment scheduling. Patients are advised to understand the instructions prior to being discharged from the hospital.

Step 6: Recovery and Rehabilitation after Treatment

The completion of a procedure or treatment is a great accomplishment; however, recovery is an equally important stage of the treatment process. This will depend on the specific condition of the patient, the type of treatment and his or her general health.

Right after treatment, there may be a need for monitoring the recovery progress and dealing with such symptoms as pain, fatigue and others. Doctors will modify the treatment if needed.

Some people might also need some form of rehabilitation – physiotherapy, occupational therapy or something else depending on the type of orthopaedic, neurological or surgical treatment that was done. The purpose of such treatments is mobility and the ability to live one's life independently.

Patients have to follow all the recommendations provided by their doctor concerning medication, diet, exercise and appointments. Recovery should not be rushed especially after a major surgery.

It is wise that patients who come from other countries speak about their recovery process and possible travel restrictions prior to leaving the country. It may be the case that the doctor will advise that the patient should spend some extra time observing his or her health before traveling back home.

Knowing that recovery does not finish with hospitalization can give international patients better insight into planning their visit to India.

Step 7: Preparation for Going Back Home after Treatments

For foreign patients, the next step is going back home after treatments. Patients should talk about their recovery and traveling plans with their doctor who treats them.

The hospital team may provide a discharge report which will contain information about their diagnoses, treatments, medications and follow-up procedures. Patients need to gather any relevant medical reports, prescriptions, and investigations' results which may be necessary for follow-up treatments in their home country.

It depends on the type of treatment and patient's health condition, but the doctor may advise on the right recovery time before the trip. It is better to follow the doctor's advice and not book the tickets according to some schedule.

If the medical information is gathered in advance, it will be easier for other health specialists to learn about patient's treatments in the future.

What Next After Returning Back Home?

The process of medical care does not stop once the international patient exits India. The type of treatment prescribed will determine whether you require follow up or monitoring.

The patients must adhere to all the treatment and recovery advice offered by the hospital or doctors and undergo any other test or consultations recommended to you. If applicable, communicating with your hospital and specialists regarding the progress made during the healing process is a great idea.

Also, storing all the documents related to your medical information will go a long way in assisting the doctors back in your country.

How a Medical Tourism Partner Can Help Simplify the Patient Experience

Medical travel to another country comes with other considerations besides the actual medical treatment. A medical tourism partner can help international patients co-ordinate all of this.

This could mean arranging contacts with suitable specialists and hospitals, arranging medical documents and appointments, and helping with practical matters such as transport and accommodation.

For an international patient and their family members, having everything co-ordinated in one place makes it simpler to comprehend the entire process and organize themselves during their visit.

At Welltara, we concentrate on simplifying the experience of international patients seeking medical treatment in India, co-ordinating everything from the very first contact through to treatment and beyond.

Key Things International Patients Should Prepare Before Travelling 

The international patient must be prepared with the following prior to traveling to India for seeking treatment:

• Medical records and medical history
• Reports from recent tests and scans
• Pathology reports/biopsy report if any
• Medicines that are being taken currently
• Travel documents and other medical documents
• List of questions for the specialist physician
• Details of the treatment and recovery period

Prior preparation will ensure that patients and their family members understand their treatment journey clearly.

Conclusion

Accessing healthcare services outside one’s own country might appear challenging; however, the knowledge of how the process works could make things easier. The visit for international patients coming to India can be divided into a number of steps such as discussing medical history, getting consultation from doctors, preparing for travel, being treated, healing after the visit, etc.

The proper preparation and coordination could allow patients to concentrate on what really counts – their treatment.