Medical Tourism in Germany
Many consider Germany’s health care system to be one of the best in Europe and around the world. German hospitals have always been the leading destination for medical tourism in Europe and continue to lead in this area today.
Patients from Eastern European countries, such as Russia, Romania and Bulgaria, who have the opportunity to pay for high-quality medical services, are usually looking for medical care abroad, and Germany is their number one option.
Tourist patients from the UK and the USA are attracted to German hospitals mainly because of the high level of medical service and new technologies offered by the German health care system. Arriving in Germany, the patient-tourist will also be able to avoid a long wait on the list, which is the norm in the UK, Canada and Ireland.
Patients from the Arab and Gulf countries come to Germany to take advantage of the qualifications and reputation of German doctors.
Health care system in Germany
According to German law, hospitals must undergo regular state-controlled quality checks. This implies certification and accreditation from the German Institute for Standardization (DIN or Deutsches Institut fr Normung), TEMOS (Telemedicine for a Mobile Society), and the Quality and Transparency Cooperation of the Health System (KTQ-GmBH).
In Germany, about 380 doctors per 100,000 population, according to the World Health Organization – this figure is higher than the average in the United States and Canada.
Doctors undergo rigorous and intensive training before they begin practice in their specialization. Medical students undergo two-stage education at the university: preliminary basic theoretical training and practical training in medical institutions. After completing the university studies and passing the medicine exam, the doctor needs to undergo practical training – from 5 to 7 years, depending on the specialty, and then pass another exam, before starting a full-fledged professional activity.
Top Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Germany
- Heidelberg University Hospital – Heidelberg
Heidelberg University Hospital is one of the leading medical centers in Europe and attracts patients from all over Germany and many other countries. - University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) – Hamburg
Hospital UKE was established in 1884 and underwent a complete modernization in 2009, becoming one of the most innovative hospitals in Europe. - Stuttgart Clinic – Stuttgart One of the largest hospitals in Germany, which consists of more than 50 clinics and specialized centers covering all medical specialties. The Stuttgart Clinic is considered one of the best hospitals in Germany, as well as a reference center for oncology, pediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, and other medical specialties.
List of procedures for patient tourists in Germany
Hospitals and medical facilities in Germany offer virtually all medical services for foreign patients, usually at a very high level.
- Neurosurgery
- Heart surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Oncology
- Infertility Treatment
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation
- Nephrology
Laws on medical errors and liability in Germany
The concepts of responsibility for medical errors in Germany are similar to those in the United States; they are based on the provisions of the German Civil Code. Medical error is considered to be incorrect treatment, incorrect diagnosis and erroneous prescription of drugs, inability to provide a report, as well as treatment with unauthorized drugs and methods. The damage is compensated in full, on the basis of the provisions of the Civil Code, which provide patients with both material and moral compensation.
Benefits
· High quality medical service
Hospitals in Germany meet the highest medical standards; they use modern equipment and the latest technology
· Highly qualified doctors
Medical personnel undergo rigorous and intensive training before starting work on their specialization.
· Availability of complex medical procedures
In Germany, medical procedures are available that are not available in less developed countries.
· Safe environment
In Germany, there are no security problems due to stability in society, low crime rates and the absence of political unrest
Disadvantages
· Prices
Prices for medical procedures are much higher than in Asia and Eastern Europe.
· Privacy issue
The Germans are not very scrupulous in matters of confidentiality, compared with the Americans and the British. Some hospitals do not issue work clothes or towels during examinations. In most cases, patients should bring these things with them.
Statistics of medical tourism in Germany
In 2011, there were approximately 200,000 foreign patients in Germany, and in 2012 more than 9,000 tourist patients arrived in Berlin alone. Among these foreign patients, the largest proportion is made up of Russians (6,000 patients) and guests from the Middle East over (10,000 patients), who come annually accompanied by friends and family members.