(1).png)
Within the framework of the Scientific Symposium “Enhancing Quality and Patient Experience in Medical Tourism in Accordance with International Standards,” held in Da Nang, the Excellence in Medical Tourism Standards developed by Temos International (Germany) were introduced and shared as an academic and professional reference document to support discussion, training, and practical implementation orientation.
Reference document:Excellence in Medical Tourism Standards by TEMOS International (Version 3.0, 2023), translated by VietHealthcation (VHC Group JSC), and used as an academic and professional reference within the framework of the Scientific Symposium. Available for download at:[Please access this link]
According to the official definition of TEMOS International, the objective of the Excellence in Medical Tourism accreditation program is to neutrally evaluate, validate, and confirm the quality of clinical and non-clinical healthcare services, thereby identifying opportunities for quality improvement and optimization of patient care, with a particular emphasis on continuity of care.
The standards are applied to the healthcare organization as a whole, encompassing all clinical and non-clinical services related to both domestic and international patients. TEMOS does not accredit individual departments, specific services, or individual practitioners; rather, it assesses the organization’s overall operational system.
Organizations applying for Excellence in Medical Tourism accreditation are required to meet a number of prerequisite conditions, including:
- Legal operation with appropriate licensure to provide healthcare services and to accept international patients
- Implementation of a continuous quality improvement program within the quality management system
- Establishment of an International Patient Department (IPD) or an equivalent unit responsible for managing international patients throughout the entire care continuum
- A minimum of two years’ experience in managing international patients
- Availability of multilingual communication and compliance with international medical ethics standards
The TEMOS accreditation approach is not intended for ranking or promotional purposes. Instead, it focuses on assessing intrinsic system capacity, interdisciplinary coordination, risk management, and evidence-based quality improvement.
The standards are developed in accordance with the continuous improvement cycle Plan – Do – Check – Act (PDCA) and are organized into four main domains:
This domain addresses the entire international patient journey, from pre-travel arrangements and admission to inpatient care, discharge, and post-treatment follow-up. Key areas of focus include patient-centered case management, culturally appropriate communication, transparency in treatment information and costs, and effective coordination among relevant departments.
This domain evaluates leadership roles, strategic governance, the functioning of professional committees, human resource management, continuing medical education, and legal aspects related to international patient management.
This domain covers quality management systems, outcome and performance measurement, continuous improvement processes, medical ethics in international patient care, and environmental sustainability within healthcare delivery.
This domain focuses on international patient safety goals, infection prevention and control, facilities and infrastructure, and essential support services required for international patient care.
Across the entire standards framework, TEMOS emphasizes the central role of the international patient—not merely in terms of service experience, but in relation to system-level operational capability. Quality of care is assessed through:
- Clarity, consistency, and traceability of processes
- Interdisciplinary coordination and case management capacity
- Responsiveness and adaptability in the event of risks or clinical changes
- Transparency in treatment information, costs, and professional accountability
- Respect, attentive listening, and sustained support for patients throughout the care continuum
According to TEMOS, international patient trust is built through the way systems operate on a daily basis, rather than through formal or declarative commitments.
The Excellence in Medical Tourism Standards were translated and academically edited into Vietnamese by VietHealthcation (VHC Group JSC), the strategic partner of TEMOS International in Vietnam. The translation process focused on preserving the original structure, terminology, and accreditation logic of the source document, while adapting language usage to align with professional healthcare terminology and the Vietnamese healthcare system context.
The Vietnamese version was used within the symposium as an academic reference document to support research, discussion, and training activities. The document is not publicly distributed and is not intended for commercial use, in compliance with the copyright regulations of TEMOS International.
The Excellence in Medical Tourism Standards of TEMOS International provide a structured and practice-based reference framework for assessing system-level capacity in international patient care. The introduction and discussion of these standards within the context of a scientific symposium contribute to establishing a shared professional foundation for academic exchange, while offering a practical approach to implementing Medical Tourism in accordance with international standards and in alignment with the conditions and context of Vietnam.
