Hospital affiliations are not uncommon on an international scale prominent U.S. hospitals such as John Hopkins are affiliated with hospitals in countries around the world. But according to a presentation given by Rosanna Moreno of Memorial Hermann- Texas Medical Center at this years World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress the need for hospital affiliations will grow along with advances in telemedicine and medical tourism.
Hospital affiliations result in higher medical knowledge and more thorough patient care. There are tremendous opportunities not just from your local staff but from your affiliate institution Moreno said. Morenos presentation laid out the basic components of a hospital affiliation: patient referrals observer exchange programs contractual agreements consulting projects and telemedicine.
All of these in and of themselves contribute to the success of both hospital and patient.A lot of [telemedicine] is ensuring that our patients are following up with their medication. We certainly don want a life to go to waste Moreno said. As far as the follow-up care we make sure that we communicate with the patient and connect them with the physician for follow-up.
Affiliation can give U.S. hospitals the opportunity to serve as the hospital consultant of choice for international hospitals and institutions as well as provide direct services to small and medium size companies for their health care needs.By establishing a framework for mutual collaboration international medical facilities will have access to the education and tools necessary for medical advancement and U.S. facilities in turn will have enhanced collaboration on research opportunities that arise abroad Moreno said.
Additional benefits discussed in the presentation included global business development quality healthcare global affiliation agreements and educational programs.Moreno has also established a team to create more local affiliations for Texas Medical Center.
We coordinate and collaborate very closely with the tourism bureau so when people visit from abroad [they] can tour our medical facilities she said. All of our institutions are expanding.
