Medical Tourism in Developing Countries

64 ● Medical Tourism in Developing Countriesthat perform a multitude of services. Even writers have taken to toutingmedical tourism, as witnessed by a nurse’s practical guide, entitled “LipoTourism: The American’s ‘Nip & Tuck’ Medical Tourism Guide toCosmetic Surgery & More Outside the US.”Finally, word of mouth should not be underestimated as a conduit forinformation. One patient returns from successful surgery in a developingcountry and his word is heeded by friends and family more than a link onthe Internet. Word of mouth is also used in referrals, as doctors hear fromother doctors about procedures performed abroad. This is especially true ofdoctors in the diaspora referring patients to their home countries (accordingto Narsinha Reddy, the manager of marketing for Bombay Hospital, 99active promotion by Indian hospitals is unnecessary because of the manyreferrals by Indian doctors outside the country).