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That article doesn't actually compare India to the US. In fact, it says that "It’s also likely the results aren’t India-specific." It would be interesting to se

That article doesn't actually compare India to the US. In fact, it says that "It’s also likely the results aren’t India-specific." It would be interesting to see the results of a similar study carried out in the US or UK, for example. In any case, there is a difference between the general level of competency of doctors in a given country, and the level of competency available to wealthy foreigners travelling to the country for medical tourism.

mtgx 13y ago
It's not India-specific. This is definitely happening in Eastern European countries, too, and probably even some of the western ones (although a bit more) - just like with college tuitions. There's something seriously wrong with both the healthcare system and the education system in US if the prices are 20x+ more than in any other country.
- pisarzp 13y ago
  This is definitely happening in Eastern European countries, too, and probably even some of the western ones Careful here. I live in London for several years now, and from my experience Eastern European doctors are much better qualified then Western European. I'm originally from Poland, and medical studies are really hard, and people spend whole 6 years cramming just to become an apprentice to the doctor (it's Bachelors and Masters degree combined). On the other hand in western countries you can do undergrad degree in anything and only then apply to med school.
  - aioprisan 13y ago
    If you do your bachelors in non-science field, you cannot get admitted without doing a post-baccalaureate, which can take 1-2 years additional. There are a lot of science requirements to even apply to medical school, that someone with a computer science degree, for instance, would not meet and would have to take those courses (i.e. biology, chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry etc.)
    - jdmichal 13y ago
      Well, to be fair, OP only said apply to medical school, not get in...
  - tripzilch 13y ago
    Same reason why many people in the Netherlands got their eyes lasered in Turkey. Both cheaper (including the flight) and better qualifications (if anything by experience). This was a few years ago though, from what I've seen the costs for eye lasering here seem to be catching up a little. Frankly I'm a bit surprised by all the people in this thread saying "well that's a huge price difference, but how do you know Indian doctors are as good as US doctors"--as good? On what basis is the default assumption that US doctors would be better and the Indian ones need to prove themselves? All I know of the US healthcare system is that it's ridiculously overpriced, but just like that $8 bowl of ramen (wat) someone mentioned upthread, doesn't mean it's better, it might even be worse.
    - bjourne 13y ago
      Because everyone born in a capitalist society has been taught from day one that "the more expensive the better." Just as you would assume a $200k car is a really good one.
  - amerika_blog 13y ago
    > On the other hand in western countries you can do undergrad degree in anything and only then apply to med school. This isn't quite right. If you want access to anything but a fly-by-night medical school, they're wanting hard science and most likely a focus in biology.

mtgx 13y ago

It's not India-specific. This is definitely happening in Eastern European countries, too, and probably even some of the western ones (although a bit more) - just like with college tuitions. There's something seriously wrong with both the healthcare system and the education system in US if the prices are 20x+ more than in any other country.

pisarzp 13y ago
This is definitely happening in Eastern European countries, too, and probably even some of the western ones Careful here. I live in London for several years now, and from my experience Eastern European doctors are much better qualified then Western European. I'm originally from Poland, and medical studies are really hard, and people spend whole 6 years cramming just to become an apprentice to the doctor (it's Bachelors and Masters degree combined). On the other hand in western countries you can do undergrad degree in anything and only then apply to med school.
- aioprisan 13y ago
  If you do your bachelors in non-science field, you cannot get admitted without doing a post-baccalaureate, which can take 1-2 years additional. There are a lot of science requirements to even apply to medical school, that someone with a computer science degree, for instance, would not meet and would have to take those courses (i.e. biology, chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry etc.)
  - jdmichal 13y ago
    Well, to be fair, OP only said apply to medical school, not get in...
- tripzilch 13y ago
  Same reason why many people in the Netherlands got their eyes lasered in Turkey. Both cheaper (including the flight) and better qualifications (if anything by experience). This was a few years ago though, from what I've seen the costs for eye lasering here seem to be catching up a little. Frankly I'm a bit surprised by all the people in this thread saying "well that's a huge price difference, but how do you know Indian doctors are as good as US doctors"--as good? On what basis is the default assumption that US doctors would be better and the Indian ones need to prove themselves? All I know of the US healthcare system is that it's ridiculously overpriced, but just like that $8 bowl of ramen (wat) someone mentioned upthread, doesn't mean it's better, it might even be worse.
  - bjourne 13y ago
    Because everyone born in a capitalist society has been taught from day one that "the more expensive the better." Just as you would assume a $200k car is a really good one.
- amerika_blog 13y ago
  > On the other hand in western countries you can do undergrad degree in anything and only then apply to med school. This isn't quite right. If you want access to anything but a fly-by-night medical school, they're wanting hard science and most likely a focus in biology.