AMA adopts ethical guidance on medical tourism

CHICAGO — New ethical guidance on medical tourism was adopted today at the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Annual Meeting to help physicians understand their fundamental responsibilities when interacting with patients who seek or have received medical care outside the U.S.

Every year, American patients cross borders to receive treatments and procedures outside the United States. Despite this growing trend, many aspects of medical tourism confound core ethical expectations regarding patients’ rights, including informed consent, continuity of care, and access to medical records. Issues of safety and quality can loom large, especially when traveling for care that is unapproved or legally or ethically prohibited in their home system.