Medical Tourism in Oman

Abstract

Health tourism and medical tourism are known yet unfamiliar phenomenon and is on increase in recent decades. The exact numbers and economic burden is rather speculative, as exact data is difficult to assess. The phenomenon is observed from both developing and developed countries, the reasons being different. There is not much international published literature on the subject. The situation, with respect to health tourism, in Oman is not much different as seen in other Middle Eastern countries.There are distinct perceptions based on social, economic, preferential reasons of travel. There are perceptions about health care systems locally abroad, and there are diverse reasons of selection of destination. The travel has unique economic impact and issues arising from multiple opinions and management scenario. We in this review discuss the types of medical travel, reasons for travelling abroad for health care, the impact of medical tourism, and issues arising from this medical travel.