In-clinic hemodialysis is the most frequent treatment used to replace renal function. Once lost, the function of our kidneys can’t ever – yet – be recovered: hence the name chronic renal failure. This leaves chronic kidney patients in a situation of complete dependence on a replacement treatment: which can either be renal transplant – the most effective of all, Peritoneal Dialysis (a more flexible treatment type, which can be done at home, work or other places) or hemodialysis (only a very small minority of which is performed at the patient’s home). This situation entails, amongst many other consequences, one paramount verdict: the situation is not transient (it is not curable) and the patient is completely dependent on the clinic in which he or she finds the machine which will perform the needed blood purification every other day of his or her life. Does this mean that, when we speak about dialysis away from home we are not speaking of medical tourism? Much on the contrary. We are, indeed, speaking of medical tourism.

The reason, of course, is in identifying the real need. As with anyone who travels for medical reasons, a renal insufficient patient, is satisfying a specific need. That need, however, spans beyond the sheer having his, or her, treatment delivered whilst having a holiday. Renal patients travel because they want to regain normality in their lives, and having a holiday is (only) a small, albeit important, part of that journey. For renal patients, as for many people, traveling means living, feeling alive, enjoying a certain way of freedom. But patients depend on their treatment being executed in the best way to in fact stay alive.

Understanding the dialysis patient’s needs

So, even if apparently  renal patients’ holidays don’t fit in the canonic definition of Medical Tourism (patient travel in search of a medical solution for a transient medical condition) and fit with greater ease in a specific category of people who travel and who (simply) need a treatment, even if abroad; this appearance is illusory. Renal patients do travel in search for a pan-medical solution for a medical condition which is transient (even if vast): the psycho-social impact of their chronic disease, namely the state of dependence it brings along, for the patient and his/her family. This impact can be mitigated by a holiday experience. It is around understanding this need and around creating a holiday experience (namely one which encompasses freedom of choice, ease of booking and safety) which addresses it that, such as in any other, revolves the essence of dialysis away from home as an offer for medical tourism. Aside this, if it works (i.e. if the experience is good) and if patients find the right partners and processes, they will basically travel more and more like “normal“ tourists. In that sense, Holiday Dialysis brings the aspect of traveling back to medical travel.

Growing numbers of patients and patients’ families who travel are the living proof of that.

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