By: Esperanza Collin
It is no secret that Baja has become a very important medical tourist destination. In 2023 we received around four million international and national visitors who came to be served in the different specialties offered in Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Tecate, and Mexicali. Many of them are due to the medical cost since it can be 60 percent lower than in our neighboring country.
However, the most important factor should not be cost but ‘SAFETY’.
We are talking about our safety, our body, our life. We must have absolute confidence in what we are going to do and with whom we are going to do it, that is why it is important to do our research homework.
Below are some support points that you should consider when choosing your trusted doctor.
1.- Professional ID of the Doctor – One of the easiest ways to know if your doctor is certified is to enter the official site of CONACEM (National Regulatory Committee of the Council of Medical Specialties) conacem.org.mx
2.-. Before your appointment, make a list of doubts and questions you have for your doctor.
3.- If it is a surgical procedure, ask if there have been any complications or death of a patient.
4.- Certification of the chosen clinic or hospital – Normally this certification is in front of the facilities or on their website. This distinction is tangible proof that the clinic has gone through a rigorous evaluation process and has demonstrated that it meets the required Quality and safety standards.
5.- Take the time to read any document they give you to sign.
6.-. Research your procedure to be performed and compare.
These mentioned points are the most important so you can start your search.
Once you have chosen your healthcare provider, trust must be absolute since you will be in the hands of a Certified Specialist and although there are risks in every procedure or surgery, this will help you minimize them.
In the doctor-patient relationship, trust must be absolute, and this is built with four engines.
- Reliability – The doctor must inspire confidence in you from the first visit, treat you with respect and provide the services he promises.
- Honesty – The doctor must tell you the truth, no matter how hard it may seem. Sometimes the truth can be a problem when it comes to health, but the doctor must always be frank.
- Openness – The doctor is the main access to information about your health, he must be an open person who is willing to satisfy that doubt that will encourage you to return to his office.
- Integrity – The doctor must earn the respect and admiration of his patient; he must make decisions that benefit a person’s Quality of Life.
In this article, we talk in general terms about specialties, but depending on each specialty some Associations certify the doctor.
Summarizing; Research is of utmost importance, the most important thing is your Safety, your Life is priceless.
