Health, Wellness and Tourism: healthy tourists, healthy business ...

However, when comparing answers to questions 9a and 13a (shown in figure 1), there was
less certainty amongst respondents who answered positively to taking out insurance with the
addition of healthcare abroad rather than simply travelling abroad for treatment in general.
‘Definite yes’ responses fell by almost half from 17% to 8% of all responses.
When those willing to travel abroad were further questioned regarding their answer to
question 9a, the answers given fell into one or more of five main themes:
1. Seen as cheaper to have surgery abroad than arrange it privately in the UK (26% of
responses)
2. Quality in other countries is potentially better than the UK (23% of responses)
3. Urgent treatment should be undertaken anywhere in the world that can offer it
fastest (21% of responses)
4. Willing to seek treatment in other countries if not available in the UK (19% of
responses)
5. A belief that certain health conditions receive a standard level of care worldwide
(11% of responses)
The cheaper cost of treatment abroad was the most common factor in decisions to go abroad
for surgery.
Similarly, negative responses to Question 9a were grouped into themes. Four main reasons
were given by those who were disinclined to travelling abroad:
1. Satisfied with the UK healthcare system. This included the NHS and private health
care networks (46% of responses)
2. Negative connotations associated with receiving medical care in a different culture
to that of the UK (24% of responses)
3. Problems associated with follow-up and aftercare after returning from the country
of treatment (10% of responses)
4. Poor perceptions of quality in foreign countries (10% of responses)
5. Other (10% of responses)
The answer most readily given as to why respondents would not travel for medical care was
overwhelmingly due to satisfaction with the UK healthcare system, with it being a factor in
46% of responses.
When asked: “What is the maximum price you would pay per month for private health
insurance?” - 75% of participants would pay a maximum of £50 per month for insurance
covering a broad range of coverage (shown in figure 2).