The term "medical tourism" has come into use quite recently, although mankind has been using the services of overseas doctors since time immemorial. Peter I himself went to see German doctors for health. And since that time, medical tourism to Germany has become very honorable among Russian citizens, and not only among Russians.
The healthcare system in Germany
Today, the health care system in Germany has 2,252 clinics: 34 of them are multidisciplinary university, 1,398 rehabilitation centers and 350 spas.
Germany is the leader in world medical tourism. And rehabilitation in Bavaria is considered one of the best in the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of citizens from the CIS countries fly to Bavaria for the purpose of medical tourism in Munich.
The German state is investing millions in the modernization and development of its clinics. Germany spends 11% of its GDP on healthcare every year.
Examination and treatment in clinics is carried out according to international standards. And innovative techniques are quickly being introduced into treatment, as research centers operate at university clinics.
In our separate article, you can find out more about medicine in Germany.
Medical error and liability laws
According to German law, clinics are constantly tested for compliance with international standards under state control. It is accreditation and certification from the German Institute for Standardization, Cooperation for Quality and Transparency of the Healthcare System and Telemedicine for a Mobile Society.
Before starting work, doctors are trained at the university in two stages. After theoretical training, medical students take an exam and undergo practical training in clinics for 5 to 7 years. Only after passing the practical training and passing the second exam can they start working.
Medical tourism to Germany is popular because you can rely on highly qualified doctors here. As well as a high level of training for middle and junior personnel.
In 2021, the Federal Republic of Germany adopted the "Law on medical error", according to which a medical tourist has the right to:
- choose a clinic and a doctor according to your wishes;
- for a second opinion on the diagnosis;
- on innovative methods of treatment;
- to preserve medical confidentiality;
- receive data on the course of treatment.
A medical error in Germany, according to the Civil Code, is an incorrect diagnosis and erroneous prescription of drugs, incorrect treatment, treatment with prohibited methods and drugs. Patients are fully reimbursed for material and moral damage.
What is treated in Germany
Medical tourism in Germany is very popular, because many innovative methods are offered only in the clinics of this country. German medicine occupies a leading position in several areas at once:
- Oncology. Accurate diagnosis, an individual approach to each patient are the key features of cancer treatment in Germany. Since 2004, the German Union of Oncologists has united specialists from leading clinics
- Orthopedics. The visiting card of orthopedists is a colossal experience in the use of innovative technologies for treatment and rehabilitation, cutting-edge diagnostics and comprehensive patient care. The Orthopedic Association OrtoLiga operates in Germany.
- Cardiac surgery. Operations to replace heart valves, implantation of a pacemaker, bypass and stenting are performed using the TAVI method (minimal intervention).
- Neurosurgery. German doctors treat tumors of the brain and spinal cord, intervertebral hernias with a sparing method.
Choosing the best
Patients who have arrived from other countries can use the services of private and public medical institutions. Below is a list of clinics that are popular with patients from all over the world:
- The Solinger Clinic is one of the top medical institutions in Germany according to the Focus magazine rating. It employs leading specialists with over 20 years of experience in the field of oncology, orthopedics, neurosurgery and gastroenterology. In "Solinger" the cost of treatment is the same for Germans and foreigners, therefore it is 15-20% lower than in other German clinics. There is an international department that supervises foreign patients around the clock.
- Asklepios is an academic clinic of the University of Hamburg, the main focus of which is oncology. It is the largest hospital network in Europe. All Asklepios clinics are certified by the German Society of Hematology and Oncology DGHO.
- "Nordwest" is a multidisciplinary medical institution with a world-class research center. It includes 5 research institutes, where a 3D ultrasound machine was developed, methods of anti-cancer immuno- and targeted therapy. Innovative treatments for stroke and multiple sclerosis are also being developed.
- The German Children's Clinic is a multidisciplinary exemplary medical institution, the level of service of which meets international quality standards. Germany occupies a leading position in the ranking of European countries due to the high level of development of pediatrics. The experience and qualifications of doctors, innovative technology make it possible to diagnose and treat childhood diseases in the early stages of development. This clinic accepts patients from Europe and the CIS.
- The Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Center of the Landshut Clinic provides a full range of plastic and aesthetic surgery services: correction of female breasts, reconstruction of the bust after removal of a tumor or correction of a congenital defect, face lifting, ear plastic, correction of the shape of the nose, lips, eyelids.
How much does the treatment cost?
The question of price is one of the first for those who want to undergo diagnostics, treatment or rehabilitation in Germany. The cost of treatment in German medical institutions is regulated by the state. The amount includes payment for medical services, medicines and necessary materials.
Before traveling to Germany, the patient is obliged to make an advance payment to the account of the German clinic for the treatment. The prepayment includes the cost of preliminary diagnostics and procedures.
| Price, EUR | |
|---|---|
| General basic diagnostics check up, including ECG, ultrasound, blood test | 850 |
| Consultation with an oncologist | from 350 |
| Chemotherapy | from 2 thousand |
| Oncology - operations | 4-16 thous. |
| Cardiology - operations | 4-24 thous. |
| Orthopedics. Extramural consultation on the presented images | 400 |
| Orthopedics - Operations | 5-16 thousand |
| Neurosurgical operations | from 24 thous. |
| ECO | from 6.5 thousand |
| Dentistry: Prosthetics with Implants | 800-1000 |
What to do before traveling for treatment
Where to start and what to do? This question arises for all those who want to go abroad for treatment. Here are some sequential steps to keep your guesswork and feel confident:
Step 1: choose a clinic. The patient should pay attention to the experience and qualifications of doctors, accreditation, the presence of a diagnostic department.
Step 2: receive a treatment program and make an advance payment. The program contains a list of diagnostics and examinations, their approximate cost and the length of stay in the hospital.
Step 3: visa, tickets, accommodation.
The most convenient way to travel to Germany is by plane. To save on tickets, use the services of the German discounter airlines Germanwings, Air Berlin: a one-way flight costs from 59 euros.
You can also get there by bus or car.
As a rule, hospitalization is included in the cost of treatment. Some clinics provide a ward for the accompanying patient for a fee.If hospitalization is not needed for treatment, it is worth renting an apartment, which has everything you need for a long-term stay - a kitchen with utensils, household appliances. Average cost 100 euros per night for three people. In this case, you can cook food, which saves on food.
You can use special services that are looking for clinics and full documentary support, as well as organizing a trip. For example, Bookimed is a service that will select a clinic for you according to the specified parameters. Matching services for the patient are free - they are paid for by partner medical institutions with which Bookimed works under direct contracts.
Where to go on vacation for health
Rehabilitation programs in Germany are among the most effective in the world. For rehabilitation, the natural resources of the country are used - sea and mountain air, mineral springs, therapeutic mud, natural preparations based on various herbs and innovative methods of restorative therapy using the latest equipment are used.
Treatment travel agencies in Germany offer all kinds of tours for rehabilitation and relaxation. But each of the medical resorts in Germany specializes in a specific direction. Rehabilitation clinics offer programs for the treatment of diseases:
- allergy;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- rehabilitation after cancer;
- rehabilitation course after organ and bone marrow transplantation;
- AIDS virus;
- mental and psychosomatic diseases;
- therapy.
Health tours to Germany can be ordered at www.dvm-tour.ru, www.doktormunhen.ru.
Detailed information about health resorts is provided in the article "Sanatoriums in Germany".
Treatment statistics in Germany
More than 250,000 patients fly to Germany annually for treatment. Medical tourism in Munich is very developed, because a fifth of the country's medical institutions are located in Bavaria. Munich is called the medical capital of Germany.
Below are the success rates of treatment in specialized areas in Germany:
- Oncology. The cancer cure rate is 66% in women and 61% in men.
- Cardiac surgery. Every year in Germany, 120,000 successful heart surgeries are performed using minimally invasive (sparing) techniques.
- Orthopedics. The percentage of successful cure with minimally invasive surgical interventions is 96%.
Summary
Arguments in favor of medical tourism to Germany: doctors with a worldwide reputation and colossal experience, the development and application of innovative methods, technologies, drugs. The country offers a wide range of specialized and multidisciplinary clinics. Not only diagnostics and treatment are possible, but also rehabilitation.
