The History of Medical Tourism

THE HISTORY OF MEDICAL TOURISM Medical tourism is not just a modern occurrence. The act of traveling to seek medical treatment is as old as human civilization itself. 5,000 BCE Ayurvedic treatment methods were 4,000 ВСЕ very popular in India. Sumerians are known to start this practice. 2,000 BCE The practice also has a history in 300 ВСЕ Europe with baths being built in Switzerland. Greeks built renowned temple spas and health centers in honor of their god of medicine, Asclepius. these therapeutic facilities flourished and attracted travelers seeking cures 124 from all over. Mansuri Hospital was built in Cairo. It had a capacity of 8,000 patients, and the most advanced medicine worldwide at the time, it 1200 attracted visitors from all religions and races. In Japan, mineral springs (onsen in Japanese) became popular among both commoners and 1326 the warrior class. Ville d'Eaux (Town of Waters) 1500 became known across Europe for its hot springs. Many travelerS visited the town's resorts including Emperor Peter the Great and writer Victor Hugo. Roman baths were rediscovered by the European elite and became premiere destinations for the rich and famous. The city of Bath in England became famous worldwide for fashionable wellness. 1600 Settlers in America began building 1774 near mineral springs and turning to Native Americans for herbal medicine and treatments. Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, kept a journal while he traveled across Europe in search of a cure for his illness. He recorded 1933 regional differences, customs, and treatments which formed the earliest medical tourism guide in American Board of Medical known history. Specialties (ABMS) formed in the United States. 1958 1960 American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) formed in While wealthy travelers visited Europe. the United States and Europe for advanced medical treatment, Westerners traveled to India for 1997 Ayurvedic treatments. In response to the Asian economic crisis, many southeast Asian 2006 countries began marketing healthcare facilities to grow the tourism industry. Countries such 150,000 American citizens traveled as Thailand promoted the skill and cheap prices of medical treatment. abroad for healthcare, mainly to countries in South America and Asia. Dentistry and cosmetic surgery were the most popular areas of interest. 2007 Medical tourism among Americans 2014 doubled in popularity as 300,000 traveled abroad seeking treatment in a wide range of areas such as The amount of medical tourists cosmetic, weight control and from America was predicted to fertility treatment. climb as high as 1.25 million. Intemationa http://angeleshealth.com/ All rights Reserved ®2015 2007 & BEYOND E ARLY 2000'S 20TH CENTURY s.066T POST RENAISSANCE RENAISS ANCE MIDDLE AGES ANCIENT TIMES