Posters

Ophthalmological tourist potential in Greece

Poster Details

First Author: P.Ntonti GREECE

Co Author(s):    G. Labiris   P. Bougatsou   M. Patsiamanidi   H. Sideroudi   V. Kozombolis  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the attitudes and beliefs of tourists regarding ophthalmologic tourism in Greece.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Greece

Methods:

These beliefs were evaluated by means of a structured questionnaire in a random sample of tourists, in a major tourist facility in northern Greece.

Results:

136 people took part in the survey. 85% have already visited Greece more than once, while the majority has never been medical tourists. 32,3% would travel abroad for medical reasons under proper insurance coverage. Concerning the ophthalmologic tourism, 23% of the people that needed distant glasses and 16,6% that used near glasses, would travel abroad for surgical purposes. An important finding was that a total 38,2% would choose Greece to have an eye operation. For those, advanced training staff, certified medical facility, word of mouth from another and scientific paper are the most influential prerequisites, in becoming a medical tourist.

Conclusions:

There is a large proportion of tourists that would choose Greece to receive medical treatment and eye surgery in specific, whether this concerns refractive surgery or botox. FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE