ORIGINAL: Perception, Practice and Cost Burden of Medical Tourism Among Physicians in Public Tertiary Health Facilities in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria

West Afr J Med. 2024 July; 41(7): 796–804 PMID: 39356818

Abstract

Background: Physicians are key to the clinical decision-making of their clients. Their perception and practice of medical tourism could influence their clients' uptake of the same. This study assessed the perceptions about medical tourism among physicians practising in public tertiary health facilities in Oyo state. We then assessed its practice and cost burden among physicians who had ever engaged in medical tourism.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study conducted in 2019 involved 360 physicians working in two public tertiary health facilities in Oyo State, selected via a two-stage simple random sampling technique. Quantitative data was collected using a semi-structured pre-tested self-administered tool. Data collected was analysed using STATA 17.0 with statistical significance inferred at p<0.05.

Findings: The physicians' mean score on knowledge of medical tourism was 4.0±0.8 of 5 marks obtainable. Organ transplant was the most commonly known reason for engaging in medical tourism. Destination country hospital facilities and equipment ranked highest and cost considerations ranked least of perceived factors promoting it. Twenty-four (6.7%) of the physicians studied ever engaged in medical tourism, while 258 (71.7%) intend to if the need arose. The most popular destination country was India. The mean direct cost of engaging in medical tourism was $3,351±$4,357. The mean indirect cost was $2,389±$774, while the mean total cost was $5,739.6±$4,841.8. The majority of the 24 physicians (83.3%) who engaged in medical tourism suffered catastrophic health spending from it.

Conclusion: High burden of medical tourism on the physicians. Funds spent on medical tourism by them could be used to strengthen the delivery of health services, such as ensuring children are fully immunised.