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BACKGROUND: Complementary and alternative (CAM) cancer treatment is often expensive and not covered by insurance. As a result, many people turn to crowdfunding to access this treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the rationales of patients with cancer seeking CAM treatment abroad by looking specifically at crowdfunding campaigns to support CAM cancer treatment in Tijuana, Mexico. METHODS: We scraped the GoFundMe.com and GiveSendGo.com crowdfunding platforms for campaigns referencing CAM cancer clinics in Tijuana, initiated between January 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. The authors created a coding framework to identify rationales for seeking CAM treatment in Tijuana. To supplement campaign metadata, we coded the beneficiary's cancer stage, type, age, specific treatment sought, whether the beneficiary died, gender, and race. RESULTS: Patients sought CAM cancer treatment in Tijuana because the (1) treatment offers the greatest efficacy (29.9%); (2) treatment offered domestically was not curative (23.2%); (3) the clinic treats the whole person, and addresses the spiritual dimension of the person (20.1%); (4) treatments are nontoxic, natural, or less invasive (18.2%); and (5) clinic offers the newest technology (8.5%). Campaigns raised US $5,275,268.37 and most campaign beneficiaries were women (69.7%) or White individuals (71.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These campaigns spread problematic misinformation about the likely efficacy of CAM treatments, funnel money and endorsements to CAM clinics in Tijuana, and leave many campaigners short of the money needed to pay for CAM treatments while costing beneficiaries and their loved one's time, privacy, and dignity. This study affirms that Tijuana, Mexico, is a very popular destination for CAM cancer treatment.

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BACKGROUND: Public health officials are responding to an outbreak of fungal meningitis among patients who received procedures under epidural anesthesia at two clinics (River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3) in Matamoros, Mexico, during January 1-May 13, 2023. This report describes outbreak epidemiology and outlines interim diagnostic and treatment recommendations. METHODS: Interim recommendations for diagnosis and management were developed by the Mycoses Study Group Research Education and Consortium (MSGERC) based on the clinical experience of clinicians caring for patients during the current outbreak or during previous outbreaks of healthcare-associated fungal meningitis in Durango, Mexico, and the United States. RESULTS: As of July 7, 2023, the situation has evolved into a multistate and multinational fungal meningitis outbreak. A total of 185 residents in 22 U.S. states and jurisdictions have been identified who might be at risk of fungal meningitis because they received epidural anesthesia at the clinics of interest in 2023. Among these patients, 11 suspected, 10 probable, and 10 confirmed U.S. cases have been diagnosed, with severe vascular complications and eight deaths occurring. Fusarium solani species complex has been identified as the causative agent, with antifungal susceptibility testing of a single isolate demonstrating poor in vitro activity for most available antifungals. Currently, triple therapy with intravenous voriconazole, liposomal amphotericin B, and fosmanogepix is recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to understand the source of this outbreak and optimal treatment approaches are ongoing, but infectious diseases physicians should be aware of available treatment recommendations. New information will be available on CDC's website.

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BACKGROUND: Medical tourism is increasing every year, especially in fields such as bariatric surgery. Global concerns rely on the fact of its safety, mainly because of a lack of standardization, unknown number of cases, and the type of specialists performing such procedures. Mexico continues to be among the top countries receiving patients from abroad, but there is no national consensus, guidelines, or recommendations about the practice in such fields. METHODS: A group of 32 bariatric surgeons with an accumulated experience of 25,196 procedures in the medical tourism modality were gathered to perform a national consensus in bariatric surgery tourism. The Delphi methodology was used for this project, with a total of 52 items applied. A consensus was reached when the experts' position was ≥ 70% for each statement. The items included pre- and postoperative phases, patient selection, follow-up, and ethical and legal considerations. RESULTS: Of the 52 statements, 40 (76.9%) reached a consensus of ≥ 70%; 36 in favor, 5 against, and 11 with indeterminate responses. CONCLUSIONS: Although more than two-thirds of the statements related to high standard practice reached a consensus, weak points in the medical tourism modality were identified. This first consensus serves to establish the basis of safe practices, eventually reach national guidelines, and define the top standards of care when performing bariatric surgery tourism.

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The purpose of this research is to examine the impact affective/cognitive country image, cosmopolitanism, and satisfaction with insurance have on patient willingness to go abroad for surgery. Patients are presented a scenario where they select having knee replacement surgery domestically, having to pay all co-pays and deductibles, or abroad (Mexico, India, Israel) for free surgery at a JCI certified hospital. Results indicate cosmopolitanism impacts patient perception of medical tourism whilst affective and cognitive country image exhibit varying levels of significance. This study contributes to the literature by assessing factors that impact patient likelihood to travel abroad for surgery.

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O atual estudo objetiva evidenciar as complicações surgidas a partir de uma cirurgia de lipoaspiração no que diz respeito aos seus impactos na saúde dos pacientes. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, realizada por meio da pesquisa dos seguintes Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS): complications and liposuction. Sendo selecionados artigos de 2019 a 2023 que foram publicados até o dia 26/05/2023, selecionando-se 22 artigos, dos quais foram excluídos 15 e restaram apenas 7 artigos revisados. Lipoaspiração se resume em uma técnica cirúrgica que é utilizada para a remoção dos depósitos de gordura, sendo que possui finalidade estética, no entanto este procedimento pode cursar com consequências danosas à saúde dos pacientes como tromboembolismo, sepse e dentre outros. Tendo em vista essas complicações, a melhor opção é o investimento na formação de profissionais de qualidade e uma maior fiscalização aos centros e salas cirúrgicas.

The current study aims to highlight the complications arising from liposuction surgery with regard to its impacts on patients' health. This is an integrative review, carried out through the research of the following Descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS): complications and liposuction. We selected articles from 2019 to 2023 that were published until 26/05/2023, selecting 22 articles, of which 15 were excluded and only 7 revised articles remained. Liposuction is summarized in a surgical technique that is used for the removal of fat deposits, being that it has aesthetic purpose, however this procedure can occur with harmful consequences to the health of patients such as thromboembolism, sepsis and among others. In view of these complications, the best option is to invest in the training of quality professionals and greater supervision of the operating centers and operating rooms.

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo destacar las complicaciones derivadas de la cirugía de liposucción con respecto a sus impactos en la salud de los pacientes. Se trata de una revisión integradora, realizada a través de una encuesta de los siguientes descriptores en Ciencias de la Salud (DeCS): complicaciones y liposucción. Con los artículos seleccionados de 2019 a 2023 que se publicaron antes del 26/05/2023, se seleccionaron 22 artículos, de los cuales 15 quedaron excluidos y sólo quedaban siete revisados. La lipoaspiración se resume en una técnica quirúrgica que se utiliza para la remoción de depósitos de grasa, y tiene un propósito estético, aunque este procedimiento puede tener consecuencias perjudiciales para la salud de los pacientes como tromboembolismo, sepsis y otros. En vista de estas complicaciones, la mejor opción es invertir en la formación de profesionales de calidad y en una mayor supervisión de los centros y salas quirúrgicos.

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Abstract Objective Surrogacy is the process in which a woman carries and delivers a baby to other person or couple, known as intended parents. When carriers are paid for surrogacy, this is known as commercial surrogacy. The objective of the present work is to review the legal, ethical, social, and cultural aspects of commercial surrogacy, as well as the current panorama worldwide. Methods This is a review of the literature published in the 21st century on commercial surrogacy. Results A total of 248 articles were included as the core of the present review. The demand for surrogate treatments by women without uterus or with important uterine disorders, single men and same-sex male couples is constantly increasing worldwide. This reproductive treatment has important ethical dilemmas. In addition, legislation defers widely worldwide and is in constant change. Therefore, patients look more and more for treatments abroad, which can lead to important legal problems between countries with different laws. Commercial surrogacy is practiced in several countries, in most of which there is no specific legislation. Some countries have taken restrictive measures against this technique because of reports of exploitation of carriers. Conclusion Commercial surrogacy is a common practice, despite important ethical and legal dilemmas. As a consequence of diverse national legislations, patients frequently resort to international commercial surrogacy programs. As of today, there is no standard international legal context, and this practice remains largely unregulated.

Resumo Objetivo A gestação de substituição é o processo no qual uma mulher engravida e entrega um bebê a outra pessoa ou casal, conhecidos como pais pretendidos. Quando as gestantes são pagas, isto é conhecido como gestação de substituição comercial. O objetivo do presente trabalho é rever os aspectos legais, éticos, sociais e culturais da gestação de substituição comercial, bem como o panorama atual em todo o mundo. Métodos Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura publicada no século XXI sobre a gestação de substituição comercial. Resultados Um total de 248 artigos foi incluído nesta revisão. A demanda por tratamentos com gestação de substituição por mulheres sem útero ou com distúrbios uterinos importantes, homens solteiros e casais masculinos está aumentando constantemente em todo o mundo. Este tratamento reprodutivo tem dilemas éticos importantes. Além disso, a legislação é amplamente adiada em todo o mundo e está em constante mudança. Portanto, os pacientes procuram cada vez mais por tratamentos no exterior, o que pode levar a importantes problemas legais entre países com leis diferentes. A gestação de substituição comercial é praticada em vários países, na maioria dos quais não há legislação específica. Alguns países tomaram medidas restritivas contra esta técnica por causa de relatos de exploração destas mulheres. Conclusão A gestação de substituição comercial é uma prática comum, apesar de importantes dilemas éticos e legais. Como consequência de diversas legislações nacionais, os pacientes frequentemente recorrem a programas de gestação de substituição comercial internacionais. Atualmente, não existe um contexto jurídico internacional padrão e esta prática permanece em grande parte não regulamentada.

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Introducción: En Cuba el sistema nacional de salud con acceso universal y cuidado de los individuos, la familia y la comunidad es una fortaleza reconocida internacionalmente. La Clínica Central Cira García es un centro de atención médica especializada de referencia internacional en la atención a pacientes extranjeros. Su calidad ha sido certificada por distintas organizaciones, no obstante, trabaja intencionadamente por elevar los estándares alcanzados. Objetivo: Proponer un sistema de indicadores para evaluar la calidad del subproceso servicios generales de la Clínica Central Cira García. Métodos: Se aplicaron métodos teóricos y empíricos, a través del análisis y la síntesis, el método sistémico-estructural-funcional y el análisis de contenido, se analizó la documentación existente relativa a la gestión de la calidad de la institución y en particular de servicios generales, se sistematizaron los resultados y se propuso el sistema de indicadores de calidad a evaluar. Se utilizaron la observación y la entrevista en la caracterización del funcionamiento de las distintas esferas de trabajo que comprende el subproceso servicios generales con lo que se obtuvieron criterios del público interno. Se aplicó una encuesta de satisfacción a pacientes no hispanohablantes de países desarrollados. Se trianguló la información y se detectaron las brechas de mejora. Resultados: Se propuso un sistema de cuatro dimensiones, 14 variables y 54 criterios para evaluar la gestión de calidad del subproceso servicios generales el cual prácticamente no era tomado en cuenta en los indicadores de calidad utilizados hasta el momento. En las encuestas de satisfacción la mayoría de los criterios establecidos recibieron niveles satisfactorios por al menos el 90 por ciento de los encuestados. El tiempo de espera para recibir la habitación y el dominio de idiomas fueron los criterios que mostraron mayor insatisfacción. Conclusiones: Para garantizar un turismo de salud competitivo que cumpla con las expectativas de pacientes que seleccionen con este fin el destino Cuba, se necesita contar con un sistema de indicadores para evaluar la calidad de los procesos no clínicos que apoyan el desarrollo de los procesos clave que puedan generalizarse a las instituciones que desarrollan turismo de salud(AU)

Introduction: In Cuba, the national health system with universal access and care for individuals, the family and the community is an internationally recognized strength. Cira García Central Clinic is a specialized medical care center of international reference in the care of foreign patients. Its quality has been certified by different organizations, however, it intentionally works to raise the standards achieved. Objective: Propose a system of indicators to evaluate the quality of the sub-process called general services in Cira García Central Clinic. Methods: Theoretical and empirical methods were applied, through analysis and synthesis, the systemic-structural-functional method and content analysis, the existing documentation related to the quality management of the institution and in particular of general services was analyzed, the results were systematized and the system of quality indicators to be evaluated was proposed. Observation and interview were used in the characterization of the functioning of the different areas of work comprising sub-process called General Services, thus obtaining criteria from the internal public. A satisfaction survey was applied to non-Spanish-speaking patients from developed countries. Information was triangulated and improvement gaps were detected. Results: A system of four dimensions, 14 variables and 54 criteria was proposed to evaluate the quality management of the sub-process general services which was practically not taken into account in the quality indicators used so far. In the satisfaction surveys, most of the established criteria received satisfactory levels by at least 90percent of the respondents. The waiting time to receive the room and the mastery of languages were the criteria that showed the biggest dissatisfaction. Conclusions: To guarantee a competitive health tourism that meets the expectations of patients who select Cuba destination for this purpose, it is necessary to have a system of indicators to evaluate the quality of non-clinical processes that support the development of key processes that can be generalized to the institutions that develop health tourism(AU)

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Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) producing the Verona integron‒encoded metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM) are highly antimicrobial drug-resistant pathogens that are uncommon in the United States. We investigated the source of VIM-CRPA among US medical tourists who underwent bariatric surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Cases were defined as isolation of VIM-CRPA or CRPA from a patient who had an elective invasive medical procedure in Mexico during January 2018‒December 2019 and within 45 days before specimen collection. Whole-genome sequencing of isolates was performed. Thirty-eight case-patients were identified in 18 states; 31 were operated on by surgeon 1, most frequently at facility A (27/31 patients). Whole-genome sequencing identified isolates linked to surgeon 1 were closely related and distinct from isolates linked to other surgeons in Tijuana. Facility A closed in March 2019. US patients and providers should acknowledge the risk for colonization or infection after medical tourism with highly drug-resistant pathogens uncommon in the United States.

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Developing robust systems for cancer care delivery is essential to reduce the high cancer mortality in small island developing states (SIDS). Indigenous data are scarce, but community-based cancer research can inform care in SIDS where formal research capacity is lacking, and we describe the experiences of cancer survivors in Saint Lucia in accessing health services. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to constitute a sample of survivors for interviews. Subjects were interviewed with a questionnaire regarding socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, health services accessed (physicians, tests, treatment), and personal appraisal of experience. We recruited 50 survivors (13 men, 37 women). Only 52% of first presentations were with general practitioners. The mean turnaround for biopsy results in Saint Lucia was three times longer than overseas (p = 0.0013). Approximately half of survivors commenced treatment more than one month following diagnosis (median of 32 days, IQR 19-86 days), and 56% of survivors traveled out-of-country for treatment. Most survivors (60%) paid for care with family/friends support, followed by savings and medical insurance (38% each). In conclusion, cancer survivors in Saint Lucia are faced with complex circumstances, including access-to-care and health consequences. This study can guide future research, and possibly guide practice improvements in the near term.

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BACKGROUND: Medical tourism has been increasing dramatically globally, with people travelling from developed countries to low-income or middle-income countries, often to avoid high costs or long delays associated with seeking healthcare in their countries of origin. The current review summarizes healthcare-related infections associated with medical tourism, focusing on cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation. METHODS: A systematic MEDLINE and PubMed search from January 2010 to December 2019 yielded 80 relevant articles, including 49 articles on medical tourism-related infections focusing on cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation, which were included in this reviews. RESULTS: The literature reveals specific types of cross-border, healthcare-related infections depending on medical intervention. Destinations include low-income countries such as countries of Asia and the Indian subcontinent, middle-income countries including Central and South America, and high-income countries such as the United States and Europe. In terms of type of infections, in 36 (68%) and 15 (28.3%) studies, wound and blood-borne infections were documented, respectively, while in 21 studies (58.3%) non-tuberculous mycobacteria were isolated, including Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium senegalense and Mycobacterium fortuitum. The choices of medical tourists could have significant consequences for them and their home countries, including infectious complications and importation of pathogens, particularly antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, with public health implications. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for public health strategies in order to prevent morbidity and mortality as well as future management and education of patients engaging in medical tourism.

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This study analyzes whether hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International in outpatient medical care protocols located in Colombia achieve a higher quality perception from foreign patients compared to others treated in a non-accredited one. A t-test with Welch correction, chi-square test, correlation coefficient of Tau Kendall, pre-test, post-test, complementary questionnaire and a 2 focus groups were used in 178 foreign patients. It was observed that patients treated in accredited hospitals had a higher quality perception than the non-accredited group. However, it was found that an unbalanced application of the 3 variables negatively alters quality judgment. Findings contributes to understanding the Colombian medical tourism in depth using non-conventional instruments.

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Medical tourism occupies different spaces within national policy frameworks depending on which side of the transnational paradigm countries belong to, and how they seek to leverage it towards their developmental goals. This article draws attention to this policy divide in transnational healthcare through a comparative bibliometric review of policy research on medical tourism in select source (Canada, United States and United Kingdom) and destination countries (Mexico, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore), using a systematic search of the Web of Science (WoS) database and review of grey literature. We assess cross-national differences in policy and policy research on medical tourism against contextual policy landscapes and challenges, and examine the convergence between research and policy. Our findings indicate major disparities in development agendas and national policy concerns, both between and among source and destination countries. Further, we find that research on medical tourism does not always address prevailing policy challenges, just as the policy discourse oftentimes neglects relevant policy research on the subject. Based on our review, we highlight the limited application of theoretical policy paradigms in current medical tourism research and make the case for a comparative policy research agenda for the field.

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BACKGROUND: Medical tourism for cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years. The existing literature has identified poor outcomes associated with general cosmetic tourism; however, the complications associated with cosmetic tourism for facial rejuvenation remain poorly understood. The aims of this study are to delineate the risk profile associated with medical tourism for facial rejuvenation. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase was performed through January 2019 using the PRISMA guidelines. Search terms included combinations of keywords including medical tourism and plastic surgery and other related nomenclature. Articles published in English relevant to medical tourism for facial rejuvenation and its associated complications were examined. RESULTS: We identified six retrospective studies including 31 patients who had obtained facial rejuvenation procedures abroad and experienced treatment-associated complications. Twenty-five of 26 listed patients (96%) were female (age range 33-62 years). Departure nations included the USA, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Australia, and Thailand. Destination nations included the Dominican Republic, Cyprus, the USA, Colombia, Thailand, India, and China. Procedures included blepharoplasty, facelift, rhinoplasty, chin lift, and injections with botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. Complications included abscess, poor cosmesis, facial nerve palsy, and death. CONCLUSIONS: We present the first study to systematically review the complications associated with medical tourism for facial rejuvenation. No definitive conclusions can be made given the paucity of relevant data, its clinical and statistical heterogeneity, and small sample size. Additional research is warranted to help inform patients who seek facial rejuvenation procedures abroad and to better understand the health system implications associated with cosmetic tourism for facial rejuvenation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Annually, retirees known as Winter Texans travel to spend the winter along the Texas/Mexico border and while there, many purchase medicine in Mexico. However, strategies that are used when purchasing Mexican medicine and the health implications of doing so have not been adequately explored. The results of the study we report illustrate that Winter Texans are knowledgeable about their healthcare and act more as choice-making consumers than patients seeking care. Furthermore, the use of Mexican medication did not increase rates of adverse drug events or decrease health-related quality of life scores.

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Introducción. Los indicadores económicos y las perspectivas comerciales han promovido al turismo de salud sin considerar las perspectivas de desarrollo, mejora e internacionalización del sistema de salud por los médicos-empresarios de Bucaramanga. Objetivo. Identificar las perspectivas médico-empresariales de las instituciones hospitalarias de Bucaramanga que promueven el turismo de salud y bienestar como segmento de desarrollo empresarial y crecimiento socioeconómico. Método. Interpretación deductiva de los textos seleccionados a partir de la técnica de contraste documental, presentando un estado general del turismo de salud hasta precisar la experiencia en turismo médico de Bucaramanga. Temas tratados. En las perspectivas sectoriales se identifican las principales tipologías turísticas asociadas con la salud; en las perspectivas médicas se reafirman las tendencias históricas de atención en salud en las zonas francas de Bucaramanga. Conclusiones. El turismo de salud y bienestar antes que un producto estratégico de clase mundial es una alternativa de desarrollo para los profesionales de la salud, internacionalización de sus centros hospitalarios, adopción de estándares y protocolos estrictos para atender pacientes extranjeros y, oferta de innovaciones o servicios para el mejoramiento del sistema de salud pública de Colombia. Cómo citar: Pérez-Pinzón LR. Emprendimiento médico y turismo de salud en Bucaramanga (Colombia). MedUNAB. 2020;23(2): 307-315. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3499

Introduction: Economic indicators and commercial perspectives have promoted health tourism without considering the local health care system's development, improvement and internationalization perspectives of Bucaramanga's doctor-entrepreneurs. Objective: To identify the medical-entrepreneurial perspectives of Bucaramanga's hospitals that promote well-being and health tourism as a business development and socioeconomic growth segment. Methodology: This is a deductive interpretation of the selected texts based on the documentary comparison technique, showing the general state of health tourism until Bucaramanga's medical tourism experience is specified. Topics Discussed: The main types of tourism associated with health are identified in sectorial perspectives. The historical health care trends in Bucaramanga's free trade zones are reaffirmed through medical perspectives. Conclusions: Well-being and health tourism, apart from being a world-class strategic product, it is an alternative for health care professionals' development, their hospitals' internationalization, adopting strict standards and protocols to attend foreign patients and offering innovations or services to improve Colombia's public health care system. Cómo citar: Pérez-Pinzón LR. Emprendimiento médico y turismo de salud en Bucaramanga (Colombia). MedUNAB. 2020;23(2): 307-315. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3499

Introdução. Os indicadores econômicos e as perspectivas comerciais promoveram o turismo de saúde sem considerar as perspectivas de desenvolvimento, melhoria e internacionalização do sistema de saúde pelos médicos-empresários de Bucaramanga. Objetivo. Identificar as perspectivas da medicina empresarial nas instituições hospitalares de Bucaramanga que promovem o turismo de saúde e bem-estar como um segmento de desenvolvimento empresarial e crescimento socioeconômico. Métodos. Interpretação dedutiva dos textos selecionados a partir da técnica de análise documental, apresentando um estado geral de turismo de saúde até explicitar a experiência em turismo de saúde de Bucaramanga. Tópicos discutidos. Nas perspectivas setoriais foram identificadas as principais tipologias turísticas associadas à saúde; nas perspectivas da medicina foram reafirmadas as tendências históricas de atenção em saúde nas áreas francas de Bucaramanga. Conclusão. O turismo de saúde e bem-estar, além de ser um produto estratégico de classe mundial, é uma alternativa de desenvolvimento para os profissionais de saúde, para a internacionalização de seus centros hospitalares, a adopção de padrões e protocolos rígidos de atendimento a pacientes estrangeiros e para a oferta de inovações ou serviços para o melhoramento do sistema de saúde pública da Colômbia. Cómo citar: Pérez-Pinzón LR. Emprendimiento médico y turismo de salud en Bucaramanga (Colombia). MedUNAB. 2020;23(2): 307-315. doi: 10.29375/01237047.3499

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BACKGROUND: Medical tourism, which involves cross-border travel to access private, non-emergency medical interventions, is growing in many Latin American Caribbean countries. The commodification and export of private health services is often promoted due to perceived economic benefits. Research indicates growing concern for health inequities caused by medical tourism, which includes its impact on health human resources, yet little research addresses the impacts of medical tourism on health human resources in destination countries and the subsequent impacts for health equity. To address this gap, we use a case study approach to identify anticipated impacts of medical tourism sector development on health human resources and the implications for health equity in Guatemala. METHODS: After undertaking an extensive review of media and policy discussions in Guatemala's medical tourism sector and site visits observing first-hand the complex dynamics of this sector, in-depth key informant interviews were conducted with 50 purposefully selected medical tourism stakeholders in representing five key sectors: public health care, private health care, health human resources, civil society, and government. Participants were identified using multiple recruitment methods. Interviews were transcribed in English. Transcripts were reviewed to identify emerging themes and were coded accordingly. The coding scheme was tested for integrity and thematic analysis ensued. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Findings revealed five areas of concern that relate to Guatemala's nascent medical tourism sector development and its anticipated impacts on health human resources: the impetus to meet international training and practice standards; opportunities and demand for English language training and competency among health workers; health worker migration from public to private sector; job creation and labour market augmentation as a result of medical tourism; and the demand for specialist care. These thematic areas present opportunities and challenges for health workers and the health care system. CONCLUSION: From a health equity perspective, the results question the responsibility of Guatemala's medical education system for supporting an enhanced medical tourism sector, particularly with an increasing focus on the demand for private clinics, specific specialities, English-language training, and international standards. Further, significant health inequalities and barriers to care for Indigenous populations are unlikely to benefit from the impacts identified from participants, as is true for rural-urban and public-private health human resource migration.

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BACKGROUND: Regulation of the medical tourism and public health sectors overlap in many instances, raising questions of how patient safety, economic growth, and health equity can be protected. The case of Guatemala is used to explore how the regulatory challenges posed by medical tourism should be dealt with in countries seeking to grow this sector. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative case study of the medical tourism sector in Guatemala, through reviews and analyses of policy documents and media reports, key informant interviews (n = 50), and facility site-visits. RESULTS: Key informants were critical of the absence of effective public regulation of the emerging medical tourism sector, noting several regulatory gaps and the importance of filling them. These informants specifically expressed that: 1) The government should regulate medical tourism in Guatemala, thought there was disagreement as to which government sector should do so and how; 2) The government has not at this time regulated the medical tourism sector nor shown great interest in doing so; and 3) International accreditation could be used to augment domestic regulation. CONCLUSIONS: The intersection of domestic and international regulation of medical tourism has been largely unexplored. This case study advances new research in this area. It highlights the need for and dearth of regulatory protections in Guatemala and lessons for other, similarly situated countries. National regulatory models from Israel and Barbados could be adapted to the Guatemalan context. Global governance could help to protect national governments from any competitive disadvantages created by regulation. Underlying the concerns over growth in medical tourism, however, is how it contributes to the ongoing privatization of health care facilities worldwide. This trend risks undermining efforts to reach targets for Universal Health Coverage and exacerbating existing inequities in the global distribution of health and wealth.

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BACKGROUND: Medical tourism is a term used to describe the phenomenon of individuals intentionally traveling across national borders to privately purchase medical care. The medical tourism industry has been portrayed in the media as an "escape valve" providing alternative care options as a result of vast economic asymmetries between the global north and global south and the flexible regulatory environment in which care is provided to medical tourists. Discourse suggesting the medical tourism industry necessarily enhances access to medical care has been employed by industry stakeholders to promote continued expansion of the industry; however, it remains unknown how this discourse informs industry practices on the ground. Using case study methodology, this research examines the perspectives and experiences of industry stakeholders working and living in a dental tourism industry site in northern Mexico to develop a better understanding of the ways in which common discourses of the industry are taken up or resisted by various industry stakeholders and the possible implications of these practices on health equity. RESULTS: Interview discussions with a range of industry stakeholders suggest that care provision in this particular location enables international patients to access high quality dental care at more affordable prices than typically available in their home countries. However, interview participants also raised concerns about the quality of care provided to medical tourists and poor access to needed care amongst local populations. These concerns disrupt discourses about the positive health impacts of the industry commonly circulated by industry stakeholders positioned to profit from these unjust industry practices. CONCLUSIONS: We argue in this paper that elite industry stakeholders in our case site took up discourses of medical tourism as enhancing access to care in ways that mask health equity concerns for the industry and justify particular industry activities despite health equity concerns for these practices. This research provides new insight into the ways in which the medical tourism industry raises ethical concern and the structures of power informing unethical practices.

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Abstract Introduction: The government intends to position Colombia as a health and welfare tourism destination. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to increase the levels of English proficiency in health professionals, which is in line with the goal set by the Colombian Ministry of National Education for 2014: 20% of medical graduates should score at intermediate or advanced English proficiency levels. Objectives: To determine if the bilingualism goal set for 2014 was achieved by students of undergraduate medical programs in Colombia. Materials and methods: Descriptive and statistical approach (parametric and nonparametric tests) based on data from the Saber Pro test (2011-2015) for medical programs offered in universities of academic nature. Results: The overall percentage of students who met the goal countrywide (28.6%) was satisfactory; however, only 16 medical programs out of 43 (37.2%) achieved the goal. Conclusions: In general, the English proficiency level of potential medical graduates is aligned with the government's goal. However, there is much to be improved considering that about 70% of future medical graduates do not have an intermediate or advanced level in this skill.

Resumen Introducción. El gobierno propuso posicionar a Colombia como un destino turístico de salud y bienestar, siendo uno de los objetivos aumentar los niveles de competencia del inglés en los profesionales de la salud. Esto se relaciona con la meta, para 2014, del Ministerio de Educación Nacional (MEN) de que 20% de los graduados deberían clasificar en nivel intermedio o superior en inglés. Objetivos. Analizar el cumplimiento de la meta establecida por el MEN para los graduandos de los programas de medicina. Materiales y métodos. Aproximación descriptiva y estadística (pruebas de proporciones paramétricas y no paramétricas) que empleó datos de la prueba Saber Pro (2011-2015) para los programas de medicina de las instituciones de educación superior de carácter académico universitario. Resultados. El porcentaje global de estudiantes que cumplió la meta (28.6%) fue satisfactorio; sin embargo, solo 18 de 43 (37.2%) programas de medicina la cumplieron. Conclusiones. El nivel de inglés de los potenciales graduados de los programas de medicina está alineado con la meta del gobierno. No obstante, hay mucho por mejorar si se tiene en cuenta que cerca del 70% de los futuros graduados de los programas de medicina no alcanza un nivel intermedio o superior en esta competencia.