Ethical and Legal Implications of the Risks of Medical Tourism for Patients: A Qualitative Study of Canadian Health and Safety Representatives' Perspectives

BMJ Open, Vol. 3, 2013

9 Pages Posted: 13 Feb 2013

See all articles by Valorie Crooks

Valorie Crooks

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Geography

Leigh Turner

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - School of Public Health

I. Glenn Cohen

Harvard Law School

Janet Bristeir

Registered Nurse & Independent Researcher

Jeremy Snyder

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Victoria Casey

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Geography

Rebecca Whitmore

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Geography

Date Written: December 21, 2012

Abstract

Medical tourism involves patients’ intentional travel to privately obtain medical care in another country. Empirical evidence regarding health and safety risks facing medical tourists is limited. Consideration of this issue is dominated by speculation and lacks meaningful input from people with specific expertise in patient health and safety. We consulted with patient health and safety experts in the Canadian province of British Columbia to explore their views concerning risks that medical tourists may be exposed to. Herein, we report on the findings, linking them to existing ethical and legal issues associated with medical tourism.

Keywords: Medical Tourism, Health Care, Globalization, Safety, Infection, Public Health, Law, Bioethics

Suggested Citation

Crooks, Valorie and Turner, Leigh and Cohen, I. Glenn and Bristeir, Janet and Snyder, Jeremy and Casey, Victoria and Whitmore, Rebecca, Ethical and Legal Implications of the Risks of Medical Tourism for Patients: A Qualitative Study of Canadian Health and Safety Representatives' Perspectives (December 21, 2012). BMJ Open, Vol. 3, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2216889

Valorie Crooks

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Geography ( email )

Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

Leigh Turner

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - School of Public Health ( email )

15-223 Phillips-Wangensteen Building
Box 729, 420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392
United States

I. Glenn Cohen (Contact Author)

Harvard Law School ( email )

1525 Massachusetts Avenue
Griswold Hall 503
Cambridge, 02138
United States

Janet Bristeir

Registered Nurse & Independent Researcher ( email )

Vancouver
Canada

Jeremy Snyder

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

Victoria Casey

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Geography ( email )

Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

Rebecca Whitmore

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Geography ( email )

Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

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