Patients from the United Arab Emirates Seeking Healthcare Services Overseas During 2009 – 2016: Characteristics, Motivational Factors and Preferences
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Date
2018-06-19
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Publisher
Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Each year the Dubai Health Authority pays an average total expenditure of $77 million dollars to cover on average 1500 UAE nationals seeking healthcare services overseas. There is not enough evidence base, however, to guide patients in their decision making for choosing treatment destinations (V. A. Crooks et al., 2013; Turner, 2011).
Purpose
The objectives of this study are to: 1. Examine the factors associated with treatment destinations and total number of trips among patients treated overseas from the United Arab Emirates sponsored by the DHA during 2009-2016. 2. Explore patients’ characteristics and the motivational factors for choosing treatment destinations among the patients treated overseas from the UAE during 2009 – 2012. 3 Explore associations between patient characteristics and preferences for healthcare services if the treatment is made available in the UAE for the most common conditions among patients treated overseas from the UAE during 2009 - 2012.
Methods
Secondary analysis from DHA: 1- UAE national patients who sought medical treatment abroad sponsored by DHA during 2009 – 2016. 2- Knowledge Attitudes and Perceptions Survey from Dubai Health Authority related to medical treatment overseas among residents of Dubai with at least one family member who had experienced healthcare overseas during 2009-2012.
Results
Choosing the treatment was associated with age, travel season, and medical specialty. The total number of trips was associated with age, travel season, number of years being in the data set and the medical specialty for which the patient sought treatment. The treatment destination was associated with patient medical conditions and financial factors. Patient preferences were associated with medical condition, age, financial factors, and family member responses if the family member was answering on behalf of the patient.
Conclusions
This study contributes to the current knowledge related to medical travel. Findings may help inform upstream policies aimed at regulating overseas treatment strategies at the Dubai Health Authority.
Dissertation Readers:
• Laura Morlock, PhD
• Darrell J. Gaskin, PhD
• Jodi Beth Segal, MD
• Kevin Frick, PhD
• Altijani H. Hussin. MA
Description
Keywords
Medical Travel, Medical Treatment Overseas, Medical Treatment Abroad, Treatment Abroad, Treatment Overseas