Find the right clinic
Once you’ve chosen your destination, your next task is to choose a clinic or hospital, which can be daunting task in an increasingly competitive market place. Your instincts may tell you to go with the clinic with the most impressive website, and while a good website can be a sign of a well-run and professional organisation, make sure you also find out the answers to these crucial questions:
Putting your clinic in the spotlight
A good hospital or clinic should be happy to provide answers to:
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How many procedures of this type have done over the past year?
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How many required unplanned follow-up treatment?
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To what internationally agreed standards does the hospital or clinic subscribe, and what independent inspection reports are available?
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What happens if something goes wrong?
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How will you ascertain if I’m fit enough to fly (where applicable)?
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If I need routine post-operative care back in my home country, where will this take place and who will arrange and pay for it?
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Is there anyone at the clinic who speaks my language?
Past patient testimonials
Who doesn’t love looking at ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos? Treatment providers are wise to the power of patient testimonials and most include successful stories and glowing recommendations from past patients on their websites, often with before and after pictures. But don’t take them at face value – good clinics will be happy to put you on touch with past patients. It’s worth asking for a couple of telephone numbers and making the calls – word-of-mouth recommendations and first-hand advice is invaluable.
10 Steps to Successful Treatment Overseas
