Think carefully before helping patients seek overseas treatment

The Medical Defence Union, the UK's largest medical defence organization, has advised its members to be cautious when responding to requests for help from patients who want to travel abroad for medical treatment. The MDU suggests that when patients enquire about overseas treatment, doctors may initially want to talk to them to ensure they understand what this may entail. For example, they may want to discuss the potential for communication difficulties; the possibility there may be problems in claiming compensation if something goes wrong; and the question of follow-up arrangements after their discharge from the overseas clinic.