Going the Distance: Ethical Issues Arising When Patients Seek Cancer Care From International Settings

Chasing the Cure Around the Globe: Medical Tourism for Cancer Care From Developing Countries

“…We agree with the recommendations of Benedetti et al 1 to improve and standardize the patient intake process. However, direct communication with the referring providers and conversations with the patients before travel, as the authors recommended, remain broad and technically challenging for various and complex reasons; for example, the information available to the accepting physician and the quality of that information (eg, pathology), which can be critical and alter the entire diagnosis and management plan, may be limited.…”

“…The recent commentary by Benedetti et al 1 in Journal of Global Oncology accurately identifies and describes the growing, underestimated, and under-researched area of medical tourism for cancer care 2 and the associated ethical issues arising when patients seek care in international settings. Having been involved on both sides, as the accepting physicians during our practice in the United States and more recently as the referring physicians during our current practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, we would like to discuss and clarify some of the ethical and practical issues pertaining to medical tourism for cancer care in our countries.…”

“…Benedetti et al 1 discussed medical tourism in which patients travel to less developed countries for medical care; however, they were hesitant to define the current practice of patients with cancer from developing countries traveling to developed countries as medical tourism. The definition of medical tourism is broad and simple: “People traveling abroad with the expressed purpose of accessing medical treatment.” 3 (p410) This definition is not restricted by the direction of travel to or from developed countries.…”

“…Benedetti et al 1 speculated the reasons for medical tourism included second opinions, research, or specialized care that is unavailable in the patients’ home countries. From our experience, most patients are seeking second opinions rather than participation in clinical trials or specialized care lacking in their own countries.…”

Psychosocial care for children receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy

“…Patient ways that support and other resources may differ from the patient's home country, and early and deliberate transition of care back to the primary medical team. [37][38][39][40] Identification of a primary contact within the home institution at the time of initial consultation and regular communication during the treatment course is necessary to facilitate transfer of care back to the primary team.…”