Interview with PlacidWay CEO Pramod Goel on Evolution of Medical Tourism Book

Sept. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Based on the knowledge and experience gathered Pramod Goel has created the book "Evolution of Medical Tourism - from Cottage Industry to Corporate World", a business and "global view" book that shows the important steps to follow for any emerging company in this industry.

As PlacidWay CEO, Author and International Speaker on medical tourism businesses, Pramod Goel says there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration and more questions to be asked.

Read this interview about what entrepreneurs need to focus on, when trying to stay afloat in the highly competitive market of medical travel.

Q: You have recently launched your first book about medical tourism. What is this book about? Who is it for?

Pramod Goel: Medical Tourism industry is growing rapidly. It has become a global phenomenon and people around the world are increasingly taking control of their own health and seeking solutions that fit their budget.

With the increase in acceptance of globalized healthcare, the industry is about to enter the mainstream marketplace.  The medical providers serving medical tourism industry must be better prepared to handle new consumer demand amongst increasing competition.

I wrote the book, Evolution of Medical Tourism: From Cottage Industry to Corporate World, for the medical tourism providers. The book explores the relationship between medical providers and medical travelers from an organizational infrastructure development perspective.

It also focuses on concepts such as supply and demand in the medical tourism industry, the development of marketing channels and improved patient nurturing, negotiations and acquisitions processes.

Q: From your perspective, how do you think the medical tourism industry is changing?

Pramod Goel: The medical tourism industry is undergoing a major transformation, and a rapidly evolving medical tourism industry has elicited fierce competition in a global consumer-centric healthcare era. The book defines aspects of globalized healthcare and methods to gain a competitive advantage.

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Q: Many have said that medical tourism industry has endless potential and it is considered to be the newest way to “make money”. After writing this book, what is your opinion?

Pramod Goel: Like any growing industry, in order to reach the mainstream marketplace, the consumer expectations need to be clearly understood and managed accordingly.

While doing research for the book as well as interacting with medical patients and medical tourism (http://www.placidway.com/) providers from around the world, it was clear that there is a knowledge gap between the two. The perceived demand did not match with the available supply i.e., customer needs does not meet the services that are being pushed by medical providers.

The medical services that are applicable for local markets are being promoted aggressively to international patients without customizing them to meet their specific needs. It is like trying to push a square peg into a round hole and expecting great results.

If the medical tourism providers want to create a sustainable and profitable business, they must understand their customer base very clearly.

They must start integrating people, processes, and systems to gain competitive advantage and most importantly understand how to provide a solution that a mainstream consumer wants.


The book discusses the phases of the evolution and what provider may want to consider achieving best results and increasing market presence in light of heavy competition.

With increased awareness, education, transparency, brand recognition, and published case studies, the medical consumers (http://www.placidsolutions.com/article/27/Serving-Interna...) will be more willing to break the local boundaries and access healthcare based on specific needs and desires.

Q:What are the myths you have dealt with since entering the medical tourism market? How about regarding your book?

Pramod Goel: The greatest myth out there is the false expectation that medical tourism related businesses have created - that the market is ready, consumers are lined-up to travel abroad, and market has an unlimited demand.

Some myths, such as most Americans are traveling to Asian countries such as India for medical treatment, are not entirely true. In fact, what we are observing is the trend that most Americans will consider traveling to Latin America before considering far Asian or Eastern European destinations due to cost, distance/flight time, time lost, familiarity of a culture, among other things.

Another myth is that Medical Tourism (http://www.placidway.com/article/1047/Challenges-and-Tren...) is a new phenomenon. In fact, medical travel has been a global phenomenon for decades, as people travel from one country to another for medical treatment. However, it is perhaps a newer concept in America.

There are several other such myths that have developed among the public - the initial high supply of medical services and providers.

Slowly people need to understand and adopt how, when, why, where, who, etc. of the business.

Q: What is the key message that you want to relay from this book?

Pramod Goel: The key message I want to present to all medical providers in the medical tourism industry is to think through business fundamentally. Understand the myths and realities of the industry – learn whether this industry is for them or not.

If a medical tourism provider is with a short-term, making “quick buck” mentality, they might want to rethink whether they want to jump into this industry as the industry is fragmented, crowded with significant competition.

I invite medical tourism providers to rethink the approach, methodology and basic business fundamentals as they try to reach out to medical travelers and try to innovate from their current offerings to new opportunities and breakthroughs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wsjvCyCktY



About PlacidWay Medical Tourism Company:

PlacidWay is a leader in the medical tourism industry, dedicated to offering accurate, up-to-date information and resources regarding medical travel, international providers, treatments, procedures and destinations for international travelers. For press inquiries about PlacidWay or to arrange an interview with Pramod Goel, call +1.303.317.3607, or email info@placidway.com.