Medical Travel For Surgical Procedures: A Systematic Review Of The Literature

Background: Thousands of patients travel each year to access surgical procedures in other locations but there is limited evidence on the types of procedures they seek, the coordination of care across countries, the role played by their companion-caregivers and the presence of complications. Aim: The current review aims to provide an overview of the current evidence on medical travel for surgical procedures. Methods: : A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles was conducted by searching the databases PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest Central and CINAHL for papers on medical travel for surgeries. Data were extracted through a form developed in REDCap. The MMAT was used to assess the quality of the studies. We followed PRISMA. Results: : The review included a total of 58 articles. Patients travelled with their caregiver-companions to gain access to surgical procedures. Pre-assessments in the destination countries were limited. Access to follow-up care was challenging, threatening the continuity of care. There was limited information exchange between sending and destination countries. Significant health risks for patients were identified in the form of postoperative complications. Conclusion: Future research needs to explore the full pathway of care of patients and their caregiver-companions traveling to access surgical procedures. Protocol registration: CRD: 42018114495