The independent organization MTQUA has awarded the German hospital Asklepios Clinic Barmbek with the title “World’s Best Hospital for Medical Tourists.” The hospital, located in Hamburg, Germany, has shown a dedication to addressing the unique needs of international patients, and attracts a growing number of international patients each year.
Julie Munro, chair of the Medical Travelers Quality Alliance, said the Hamburg clinic was an “outstanding” hospital for medical tourists.
Premier Healthcare Germany, a cooperative partner of the hospital, took part in the audit. The MTQUA complimented the partnership, saing that "teamwork is of enormous benefit to medical travelers.”
The MTQUA published its bi-annual list of top hospitals for international patients earlier this month. The Asklepios Clinic Barmbek has made the Top 10 List of Best Hospitals for Medical Tourists in the past, but this was the first year it made first place.
Focused on the needs of international patients
A hospital needs more than just translation services and airport pickup to make the MTQUA’s list. It also needs to provide advanced medical treatment, and have an excellent value for its cost of treatment. The MTQUA carefully analyzes statistics for the hospitals’ treatment outcomes and patient safety, and takes into consideration the official accreditations and international reputation of the clinic. Private hospital rooms, help with hotel bookings, international television channels and familiar food are all added comforts that international patients have come to expect when receiving medical treatment abroad.
The hospital's international department works closely with dedicated patient managements companies such as Premier Healthcare Germany, who can support hospitals with processing patient inquiries as well as organize the logistics of the medical journey. Patient management companies can provide international patients with visa assistance, help with accommodation and transportation, and give the patient a consistent point of contact throughout the entire process of receiving treatment abroad.
Asklepios Clinic Barmbek: Comprehensive care for complex diseases
With 19 different specialty departments, the Asklepios Clinic Barmbek is equipped to treat many types of medical conditions. The Hamburg hospital has a particularly good reputation, however, for its specialisms in oncology and visceral surgery.
The German Cancer Society has awarded the Asklepios Clinic Barmbek certifications for its specialized Breast Center and Intestine and Pancreas Center, and it has also received awards for its advanced liver surgery and gallbladder surgery. It is one of the leading cancer clinics in Germany for oncological surgery and tumor removal. Besides traditional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and surgery, the highly-specialized hospital also offers state-of-the-art cancer treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted radiation therapy.
Medical tourism on the rise in Germany
A reputation for high-quality care and an excellent cost-to-value ratio has made Germany an increasingly-popular destination for medical travelers. The number of medical tourists to Germany doubled between 2006 and 2016 and exceeded 251,000 in 2014, according to a recent report. More international patients in Germany come from Russia than any other country, though the Gulf States are catching up: the number of international patients from a Gulf Coast Country increased in 2016 by 30%. As more and more satisfied patients are returning home and talking about their positive experiences with German healthcare, these numbers are expected to grow.
