Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Research Unit, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Int J Health Policy Manag. 2014 Oct 30;3(6):333-40. doi: 10.15171/ijhpm.2014.113. eCollection 2014 Nov.
The importance of cross-border healthcare, medical and health tourism plays a significant role in the European health policy and health management. After dentistry, orthopaedic treatments are the leading motivation for seeking care in Hungary, as patients with rheumatic and motion diseases are drawn to the thermal spas and well-established orthopaedic centres. This paper aims to gain insight into foreign patients' perspectives on their experience of having sought medical tourism in orthopaedic care in Hungary.
A patient survey was conducted in 2012 on motivations for seeking treatment abroad, orthopaedic care received and overall satisfaction. In addition, health professionals' interviews, and 17 phone interviews were conducted in 2013 with Romanian patients who had orthopaedic treatment in Hungary. Finally, medical records of foreign patients were analysed.
The survey was completed by 115 participants - 61.1% females, mean age= 41.9, 87% Romanian origin. Most of the patients came to Hungary for orthopaedic surgeries, e.g. arthroscopy, knee/hip prosthesis or spinal surgery. 72.6% chose Hungary because of related to perceived better quality and longstanding culture of Hungarian orthopaedic care. Over 57% of patients reported being 'very satisfied' with care received and 41.6% 'satisfied'. The follow-up interviews further reflected this level of satisfaction, therefore many respondents stating they have already recommended the Hungarian healthcare to others.
Based on the findings, patients from neighbouring regions are increasingly seeking orthopaedic care in Hungary. Patients having orthopaedic care are highly satisfied with the quality of care, the whole treatment process from the availability of information to discharge summaries and would consider returning for further treatments.
跨境医疗保健的重要性，医疗和健康旅游在欧洲卫生政策和卫生管理中起着重要作用。继牙科之后，矫形治疗是在匈牙利寻求医疗保健的主要动机，因为风湿和运动疾病患者被吸引到温泉和成熟的矫形中心。本文旨在深入了解外国患者对在匈牙利接受矫形护理的医疗旅游体验的看法。
2012 年对出国治疗的动机、接受的矫形护理和总体满意度进行了患者调查。此外，2013 年还对在匈牙利接受矫形治疗的罗马尼亚患者进行了卫生专业人员访谈和 17 次电话访谈。最后，分析了外国患者的病历。
调查由 115 名参与者完成-61.1%为女性，平均年龄=41.9，87%为罗马尼亚血统。大多数患者来匈牙利接受矫形手术，例如关节镜检查、膝关节/髋关节假体或脊柱手术。72.6%的人选择匈牙利是因为他们认为匈牙利的矫形护理质量更好，而且文化底蕴深厚。超过 57%的患者表示对所接受的护理非常满意，41.6%表示满意。后续访谈进一步反映了这种满意度水平，因此许多受访者表示已经向他人推荐了匈牙利的医疗保健。
基于研究结果，来自邻近地区的患者越来越多地在匈牙利寻求矫形护理。接受矫形护理的患者对护理质量非常满意，从信息的可用性到出院小结的整个治疗过程，他们都非常满意，并考虑再次接受治疗。
