PlacidWay has established itself as a leading global medical tourism platform, connecting patients with a vast network of healthcare providers worldwide. This trust is built upon a foundation of stringent criteria and a meticulous vetting process that ensures only high-quality, reputable medical centers are listed on their platform. For medical facilities looking to expand their global reach, understanding these requirements is crucial.
By adhering to these rigorous criteria, medical centers can position themselves as trusted partners on the PlacidWay platform, gaining global visibility and attracting international patients seeking high-quality, transparent, and patient-centric healthcare solutions. PlacidWay's commitment to these standards ultimately benefits patients by providing a reliable and safe pathway to medical care abroad.
PlacidWay's criteria can be broadly categorized into several key areas, all designed to prioritize patient safety, quality of care, and overall experience.
1. Online Presence
A strong, verifiable online presence is fundamental for a provider's legitimacy and accessibility to international patients. We assess:
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Verifiable Digital Footprint: You need a clear and active presence online, like an official website, active social media accounts (such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X/Twitter), or listings on reputable medical directories (e.g., Google My Business).
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Up-to-date Information: All content, including contact numbers, addresses, and listed staff, must be consistently current and accurate across all platforms.
2. Reputation & Reviews
Trust is built on genuine patient feedback. Our assessment focuses on:
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Quality & Quantity of Reviews: We scrutinize the volume and depth of patient reviews, seeking a substantial number of detailed, positive testimonials from diverse, verifiable sources. We place particular value on video testimonials, as they offer a higher degree of authenticity and personal insight into patient experiences.
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Verifiable Sources: Reviews must originate from reputable platforms, including public social media and specialized medical review sites (e.g., Google Reviews, TrustPilot). We may also seek to verify the authenticity of direct testimonials, especially video content, on your website.
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Response to Feedback: We analyze how you respond to reviews, positive or negative, looking for professional and empathetic engagement.
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Consistency Across Platforms: We check for consistent positive sentiment across all online platforms; significant discrepancies or patterns of negative feedback are red flags.
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Absence of Manipulation:We're vigilant for any signs of manipulated or suppressed reviews.
3. Physical Facility
Your facility's quality reflects your commitment to patient care and safety. We verify:
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State-of-the-Art Standards: We seek evidence of modern equipment, up-to-date technology, and adherence to current medical facility standards, reviewing provided photos, virtual tours, and detailed descriptions.
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Cleanliness & Hygiene: We assess the facility's cleanliness and hygiene standards through available visual documentation and patient feedback.
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Reputable Location: We confirm the facility's location in a safe, accessible, and professional area, verifying the advertised address. The facility must be visibly present on services like Google Street View to allow for external visual confirmation.
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Verifiable Online: We visually confirm the existence and appearance of the facility through online mapping services.
4. Qualified Doctors & Medical Staff
Expert medical staff are paramount for patient safety and successful outcomes. We require:
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Proper Qualifications: All doctors and medical staff must hold current, valid medical degrees and licenses from accredited institutions, along with board certifications in their claimed specialties.
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Experience: We evaluate your staff's proven track record in specific procedures and specialties.
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Verification Process: We require direct proof of credentials. Our specialized legal department, with a presence in various regions, then rigorously cross-references this information with national and international medical registries and licensing boards to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
5. Clinic Certifications & Accreditations
External validations confirm your clinic's adherence to quality and safety. Our process requires:
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Valid Local License: A fundamental requirement: your clinic's current operating license from the relevant local health authority.
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Accreditations: We highly prefer internationally recognized accreditations (e.g., Joint Commission International (JCI), Accreditation Canada International) or similar national ones, signifying rigorous safety and quality standards.
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Specialty-Specific Certifications: For specialized procedures, we may look for additional certifications (e.g., a COFEPRIS license for Stem Cell treatments in Mexico).
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Transparency: You must readily provide copies of all relevant licenses and certifications. Our specialized legal department, with a presence in various regions, is responsible for verifying the authenticity and validity of these documents.
6. Criminal Records, Negligence, Lawsuits
Patient safety is non-negotiable. Our due diligence includes:
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Criminal Records Check: Investigation of any criminal convictions, especially healthcare-related offenses.
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History of Negligence: We search for documented instances of medical negligence or malpractice through public disciplinary actions.
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Lawsuit & Settlement Review: We look for any ongoing civil lawsuits or significant past settlements related to malpractice.
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Data Source Utilization: We leveragemedical board databases and conduct news/media searches for adverse coverage.
7. Negative Feedback/Issues
Beyond lawsuits, we examine informal indicators of poor practice:
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Recurring Negative Feedback: We seek patterns of recurring complaints across online platforms (e.g., poor communication, disorganization, unsatisfactory outcomes).
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Verifiable Source: Feedback must come from credible, verifiable sources like patient review sites or consumer protection websites.
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Severity & Specificity: We evaluate the severity and specificity of complaints; detailed accounts of harm are more concerning.
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Provider's Response: We analyze how you address and resolve negative feedback; a proactive response is positive.
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Absence of Manipulation: Any evidence of attempts to suppress or artificially inflate reviews is a significant red flag.
8. Bilingual Patient Coordinator
While not mandatory, this role greatly enhances the international patient experience. We evaluate:
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Importance for Medical Tourism: A bilingual patient coordinator is invaluable for clear communication, reducing anxiety, and smooth logistics for international patients.
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Alternative Solutions: If you don't have one, you must propose a robust alternative (e.g., professional interpretation services, multilingual staff) and provide availability details.
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Potential Consequences: You must acknowledge and explain any challenges if this role isn't filled by a dedicated coordinator.
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PlacidWay's Supportive Role: We note where PlacidWay might offer additional support to bridge communication gaps for providers without this dedicated role.
If you meet these comprehensive criteria and are ready to expand your reach to a global patient base, we invite you to apply.
Join Our Network: List Your Clinic with PlacidWay.
For further assistance or support, please contact us at sales@placidway.com.