Shadow Workers in the Medical Tourism Industry

Have you or a loved one ever considered traveling abroad for health care? There are many reasons why patients opt to seek health care abroad and many choose to travel with a friend or family member. In an article published in The Conversation (medicaltourismandme.com), Geography Professor Valorie Crooks sheds light on her research which takes a look at these friends and family as "shadow workers" in the medical tourism industry. Shadow workers are an invaluable asset in this industry, but they often do not know that the journey can be painful and challenging, while the industry does very little to protect them. Before travelling abroad, Crooks and her research team caution friends and family to consider nine factors relating to patient health, caregiver health, and the journey itself.

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