The journey from an allopathic to natural treatment approach: A scoping review of medical tourism and health systems

Abstract

IntroductionDespite technological advancement in the modern medical system, our world is experiencing an unexpected rise in different chronic diseases, health disorders, allopathic treatment side effects and lifestyle problems. The tourism industry has encapsulated medical and health tourism segments into its scope when countries across the globe now witness an aging population. Little is yet known about changing preferences, motivation to travel, and demands of modern medical tourists recently. The present study aims to explore shifts in medical tourism and the demands for Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) methods of treatment. MethodsA scoping review of academic articles, published reports, and media literature was undertaken to define the emerging demands of medical tourists and available medicine and health systems in the medical tourism industry. Out of 264 identified sources that were reviewed, 112 met the inclusion criteria for the review. ResultsThis review demonstrates that natural treatments are being considered by medical tourists as well as allopathic treatments (a conventional western approach based on surgeries and drugs) and tourism attractions. However, the existence of an allopathic system of treatment still contributes to emerging medical system where no T&CM treatment alternatives are available. ConclusionA robust medical tourism system, if established by integrating natural treatments, T&CM, allopathic treatments, and tourism can achieve the best of all available health treatment systems and contribute to public health. These results provide a useful contribution to the understanding of the trends in medical tourism.