Medical tourism

Background Medical tourism is a burgeoning industry in our region. It involves patients travelling outside of their home country for medical treatment. Objective This article provides an outline of the current research around medical tourism, especially its impact on Australians. Discussion Patients are increasingly seeking a variety of medical treatments abroad, particularly those involving cosmetic surgery and dental treatment, often in countries in South-East Asia. Adverse events may occur during medical treatment abroad, which raises medico-legal and insurance issues, as well as concerns regarding follow-up of patients. General practitioners need to be prepared to offer advice, including travel health advice, to patients seeking medical treatment abroad.