The charter of medical tourism

The charter of good practices in cosmetic surgery within the framework of medical tourism.

Why do we need such a charter?

At present we witness the important development of medical tourism in Tunisia. This phenomenon which transcends the fashion effect allows a democratization of cosmetic surgery to persons who did not have the means to achieve their desires for change.

The excellent relationship quality and price of cosmetic surgery in Tunisia has attracted more and more patients and with them, the media.

This quality is the result of professionalism on the part of surgeons who have been at the forefront of this concept.

In the face of the growing number of societies playing the intermediary role between Tunisian surgeons and people seeking cosmetic surgery at the lowest cost in Tunisia, it appears necessary to protect patients against probable disregard to the rules of good clinical practices.

ChirurgiePro is an instigator of this charter that aims at protecting patients and perpetuating this offer of cosmetic surgery meant to be for patients with non-resident status in Tunisia.

The Charter :

Definitions :

The medical tourist is a non-resident person in Tunisia who decides to come in order to undergo a surgical operation in a Tunisian health institution. This person is a patient.

The surgeon is a medical doctor specialized in surgery and having an experience that has been proven in the field of cosmetic surgery. The surgeon is registered at the Council of the Association of Doctors in Tunisia.. His/her responsibility in the surgical act following an operation within medical tourism is defined in the terms and conditions of the charter.

The clinic is the place where a surgeon operates. . His/her responsibility in medical tourism is defined in the articles of this charter.

The specialized societies in medical tourism act as go-between with surgeons or surgical clinics and patients. They are specific service providers with responsibilities defined in the clauses of the present charter.

• Patient’s Responsibility: :

The patient is responsible for his/her request that should be expressed in clear terms and in as many details as possible. It is therefore recommended that the patient will vary and multiply the sources of information about what he/she is looking for through a cosmetic surgical operation.

He/she must imperatively know who his/her surgeon is before the day of the operation.

He/she must hand in to his/her surgeon and to the health workers all elements related to medical antecedents or his/her chronic pathologies to avoid taking additional risks.

If the medical team accepts the patient’s files for a surgical operation, the patient will the give his enlightened consent to undergo the operation with the agreement of his/her surgeon.

• Responsibility of the surgeon :

The surgeon is a medical doctor registered at the Council of the Association of Doctors in Tunisia.

He/she holds specialized degrees and is practitioner in his/her field of competence.

He/she has subscribed to professional insurance policy.

He/she is held responsible for the diagnosis and the indication that meet the patient’s requests.

He/she ensures that he/she knows the medical files of his/her patients before planning any surgical move.

He/she has examined his/her patient before any final plan for a surgical act. He/she should explain to his/her patient the various options that will meet his/ her request. He/she equally states formally the medical risks the patient may have to take.

According to the law, the surgeon and the medical team have an obligation of means. In cosmetic surgery the result is not an obligation.

• The responsibility of the clinic: :

The fees charged by the clinic must be in compliance with the legislation in application in Tunisia.

Within the framework of medical tourism, the clinic must observe the standards of Hygiene and security that are comparable to the ones in force in European clinics.

• Responsibilities of specialized service companies in medical tourism:

LaThe specialized service companies in cosmetic surgery act as intermediaries between patients and plastic surgeons and take care of such a relationship.

The company sends the requests of the patients and guides their steps throughout the medical process.

If this company communicates over the net medical data, it must be held responsible for anything it writes or any proposal it may make.

It must therefore hire some specialist responsible for surgical matters in order to verify the medical part of the issued data. The photos used before/after showing the results of the surgery will have to be reviewed and considered by this medical responsible. The photos will be published with the patient’s consent and the surgeon performing the act must be clearly identifiable.

A non-medical person and someone outside the field of surgery has no right to suggest cosmetic surgery or posit any indication.

These companies must therefore have a contract with a medical consultant fully responsible for medical items mentioned in their website.

The service company (through her medical responsible) must make sure that the duration of the patient’s stay in Tunisia is compliant with the medical recommendations.

Conclusion :

This charter of good practices has a qualitative objective and engages the responsibilities of all those who have signed it.

It is bound to evolve in accordance with the recommendations aiming at improving the provided service to patients and the involvement of new actors who have signed it.