Medical tourism has become the one of the priorities of the Polish export policy for 2012 – 2015. The main advantages of our medical services are easy access to the experts at the global level and high quality services in lower costs than in Europe.The costs of medical treatment in Poland are lower even up to 80% in relation to Great Britain, Germany and the US. The promotional programme of the Polish medical tourism started in April 2012 and will last 36 months. The budget for the project is PLN 4 million (EUR 1 mln). The campaign focuses on the following markets: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Russia, UK and USA.

The following activities are planned in the promotional campaign:

• participation the representatives of the Polish medical centers in international conferences and exhibitions (Moscow Medical&Health Tourism Congress in Russia, the European Medical Travel Conference in Germany, Destination Health in the UK, the Health&Rehab in Denmark, the World Medical Tourism&Global Healthcare Congress in the US);
• organization of trade missions to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Russia, Britain, US;
• organization of trade missions and study tours for foreign journalists and foreign companies to Poland;
• organization of trainings for representatives of medical companies;
• organization of business meetings and match-making sessions with companies, associations, institutions;
• production of co-branded information and promotional materials for the medical sector as the industry strategy, the film, the sectoral catalogues and brochures, the on-line portal;

The promotional activities will be implemented by the consortium consisting of PAIiIZ (Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency), EuCP (European Center for Enterprise) and Ameds Center. PAIiIZ will be responsible for organization of international conferences, exhibitions and media study visits to Poland. Ameds will recruit candidates to participate in international events and training as well as for the publication of informational and promotional materials; EuCP is responsible for contacts with the Ministry and the settlement of the project.

Almost 7 out of 10 contacts made by potential clients (email or website form enquiry) were lost meaning that approximately 70% of potential clients were not contacted by medical tourism facility reception or coordinator. Is it bad? Having in mind the necessity to collect medical data, personal needs and a lot of detailed information from medical tourist one may state that phone contact prevail at email. This also indicated the necessity to take care of almost cutomers contacting medical facility by internet. 2 out of 3 contacted and responded contacts provided detailed guidance. Quite nice? The missing 1 out of 3 contacted and responded guided to clinic website or phoneline. A potential statement: ‘we care but read through website or contact us by phone directly…’ for some potential clients may not be enough to establish positive relationship or trust.

Among hotel/spa facilities the responsivness was almost 100%. Maybe due fact that this business is more experienced in customer care management. Our study revealed positive tendency having in mind the immaturity of medical tourism customer care business in Poland. The medical travel brand cannot mimic hotel/spa industry but have to gain its own experience. The numbers presented in this survey show potential space for development and promissing prognostic factor.

This two-day conference will include presentations by some of global healthcare and medical tourism’s most influential leaders. It will feature specialized topics on the globalization of healthcare including the latest trends in telemedicine and MHealth, insurance, legal, and quality issues.  It will focus on creating a global physician to physician referral system, inbound and intrabound medical travel, technology for medical tourism, advanced global healthcare marketing strategies, and creating opportunities for large medical tourism infrastructure projects.

Confirmed Topics and Speakers for MediTour Expo 2012

How Telemedicine will Effect the Global Healthcare Industry

Jay H. Sanders, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.A.A.I – Global Telemedicine Group, President & CEO

Quality & Patient Safety for Global Healthcare

Dr. Mal Hi Cho, MBA, MPH, MHE; – World Health Organization-PAHO, Regional Advisor

M Health and Global Healthcare

Frank Strack – CIBER, Global Mobility Practice Manager

How Do I Build a Global Practice?

Farhan Taghizadeh, M.D. – Lifestyle Lift, Medical Director

Best Practices for Securely Transferring Information through Cyber Space

Nicholas P. Krut, MSEE, CNE, CSSA – Red Team USA, Senior Cyber Security Engineer

How Does Retirement Tourism fit into Global Healthcare?

Dr. David G. Vequist IV,PhD – Director, Center for Medical Tourism Research

How will Health Reform Affect the Cross-Border Market?

Nathan Cortez, JD – Southern Methodist University, Professor of Law

Self Funded Insurance Groups for Domestic and Global Healthcare

Victor Lazzaro, Jr, MBA – BridgeHealth Medical, CEO

Moving Beyond Patient Testimonials-Global Care Metrics and Patient Satisfaction

Jamil Hussain, PhD – International Quality Indicator Project, VP Global Markets

Liability & Malpractice for Global Care: What is the Legal & Regulatory Environment?

Glenn Cohen, JD – Harvard School of Law, Professor of Law

Barriers and Opportunities to Addressing Privacy and Security in Global Healthcare

Dennis R. Moreau, PhD – RSA Security, Office of the CTO, Senior Technology Strategist

The Future of Integrative Medicine for Global Care

Bradley Jacobs MD MPH – Integrative Medicine Practitioner, Author, & Senior Health & Wellness Executive

Cross Border Perspectives on ADR

Jeremy Lack, JD – Attorney & ADR Neutral, Geneva, Switzerland

Role of Accreditation in Quality

Sherry Kaufield, MA, FACHE  - Joint Commission International, Executive Director

The Right Way to Build a Brand in Global Healthcare

Ilan Geva, MA – Ilan Geva & Friends,Founder

Global IVF Panel: Using Technology to Build an International Practice

Lauri Berger de Brito – Global IVF, Co-Founder

Kathryn Kaycoff-Manos, MA – Global IVF, Co-Founder

Emily Michelman – Global IVF, Director Web Development

Value Based Benefit Design as an Option in Global Healthcare

David Hom, MBA – ScioInspire, President

What is the Present Status of Global Care?

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA – Professor and President for Society Physician Entrepreneurs

Join us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube and be automatically entered to WIN a “Conference Bag Promotion” ($1000 value) where your company’s marketing materials will be included in the 2012 Global Connected Care & 3^rd MediTour Expo’s ‘Conference Bag ‘!  Also, when you attend the 2012 Global Connected Care & 3^rd MediTour Expo and you are ‘ONE’ of our Social Medial followers you will be entered in a drawing to win a free promotional spot for next year’s Conference in 2013!

Register Today at www.meditourexpo.net.

Medical-Tourism-Poland.com is an official supporter of the event

The European Medical Travel Conference in Berlin in April 2012 will focus on many of the issues that have been highlighted in the recent controversy around the use of PIP breast implants. The PIP breast implant issue highlights the need for: improved cooperation within Europe, European wide monitoring, common standards and better information for patients. EMTC 2012 will be examining all of these issues. One of the prominent topics at the conference is the quality and standards of plastic and cosmetic surgery surgery in Europe. CEN, the highest EU authority for standardization, WHO and many other quality stakeholders are attending a special workshop to clear the way for patient-centered and safety-oriented medicine. The outcomes of these meetings will influence future regulation within the EU.

Also Turkey, the new tiger state in Europe, will reveal and report on its quality and standardization policy, looking for a close collaboration with EU standards.

The European Medical Travel Conference – Europe´s largest event for medical tourism– attracts high level speakers and offers a sophisticated program incorporating networking and business development opportunities for the participants. See the preliminary program and check the presence of the international VIP in medical tourism at: http://arapean.eu/brochure/EMTC Preconf Brochure.pdf The medical travel market is experiencing significant growth. Market studies show that Hungary, Turkey, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, Poland and India lead the way as destinations for international patients prompting a necessary discussion among the EU countries about quality in cross border healthcare.
At EMTC not only EU politicians, medical attachés and decision makers from 46 nations come together for an exchange of knowledge, networking and business development. This community has a high influence on the further development of standards and quality in medical tourism.

EMTC2012 is now inviting exhibitors, participants and sponsorship offers. Visit the website – www.emtc2012.com - to learn more about the innovations which will be part of EMTC2012 and to find out about a medical travel conference which provides maximum value for participants.

Medical Tourism Poland is an official partner of EMTC 2012.

Completely new stadiums have been built in Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan and Warsaw, where many residents traveling from Western Europe in order to have medical visit or some medical procedures to be done. But the focus of football tourists may not be to find professional medical care but follow thier footbal stars and therefore the availability of hotel rooms will substantially decrease.  As usual, city traffic and the general hype can lead to escape of residents from the cities. Unfortunately some clinics may be not available at that time. The biggest impace seems the EURO 2012 may have on promotion of Poland. Since when Poland joined the European Union (2004) the number of tourists increases year to year. Popularity of medical tourism and the spa is growing mainly among the visitors from Sweden, Germany, Britain and France.

Departures to family, friends or football matches of representation can be combined with visits to the dentist, surgeon or a spa session. This natural process has helped medical providers to attract potential patients. Friend to friend marketing works better.

So the most important change in plus that Poland could gain from the organization of UEFA EURO 2012 may be the progress made ​​in Poland in recent years. Notable investments in infrastructure, urban development, airports and construction of stadiums is one thing. The second one is a great medical staff, well-equipped clinic, lower prices than in Western European countries, access to specialists with virtually no queues as well as high standards of medical services. (image property UEFA, source: internet)