Abstract
This article analyzes the contribution of the accreditation in outpatient care of the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification in the perception of satisfaction of patients treated in the city of Barranquilla (Colombia). Two groups of 67 participants underwent outpatient procedures at an accredited and non-accredited clinic. A quasi-experimental design based on a pre-test, post-test, and a focus group was applied to both groups. A t-test and a Tau Kendall correlation coefficient were applied. It was found that the patients treated in the accredited clinic were more satisfied in the time of consultation received, follow-up care, and the communication between them with their physicians and nurses. It was also found that each group had different preferences in the care received. This study contributes to knowing more about Colombian medical travel from case studies.
Highlights
Access to medical procedures has become a challenge in various developed countries
International mobility occurs mainly in two ways: (1) patients who undergo medical treatments in developing countries seeking similar quality at lower costs and (2) patients who go to developed nations seeking advanced medical procedures that are not found in their countries of residence
The pre-test and post-test show a notable difference in the perception of satisfaction in the ambulatory medical care received between both groups, favoring the patients treated in the accredited clinic
Summary
Access to medical procedures has become a challenge in various developed countries. The high demand for medical treatment and procedures in public and private health systems, and the limited coverage of medical insurance policies have increased the waiting time lists, threatening patients’ health. An option increasingly adopted to face waiting time lists is the voluntary mobility to other nations to access medical procedures and medication. International mobility occurs mainly in two ways: (1) patients who undergo medical treatments in developing countries seeking similar quality at lower costs and (2) patients who go to developed nations seeking advanced medical procedures that are not found in their countries of residence. Pure medical care travel occurs when individuals’ primary purpose of displacement is due to medical purposes only, while in medical tourism, people wish to undergo medical procedures and in turn, carry out tourist activities
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