WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Healthcare seekers contemplating an affordable treatment overseas and looking for just the right destination should know that Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Singapore and Costa Rica have been ranked as the most attractive destinations for medical tourism in 2014, the International Healthcare Research Center announced today.

The Medical Tourism Index, which measures the attractiveness of a country for medical travel along three key dimensions and 34 underlying criteria, concluded that Canada topped the lists for "Country Environment" and "Medical Tourism Costs"; Costa Rica and Jamaica for "Destination Attractiveness"; and Israel and Singapore for "Medical Facility and Service."

"This instrument makes a significant contribution so far as providing unbiased information about medical tourism across the globe," said Renée-Marie Stephano, President of the Medical Tourism Association®, who announced the conclusions at the 7^th World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress, Sept. 20-24, 2014, in Washington, D.C. "This information provides not only what patients need to know when planning a medical journey overseas, but serves as a valuable tool for governments, employers and insurance companies, hospitals and doctors, facilitators and related travel and hospitality industries throughout the world."

The 2014 Medical Tourism Index considered 30 countries – about 60 percent of the world's population -- from Africa, Asia, Central America, Middle East, South America and North America.

"Many countries are touting their healthcare services, costs, safety and security, and locations to attract foreign patients," said Marc Fetscherin, co-developer of the Medical Tourism Index and associate professor of international business and marketing at Rollins College. "IHRC – through the Medical Tourism Index and related analysis – serves as a trusted and evidence-based support mechanism to achieve their goals."

For the complete 2014 Medical Tourism Index, go to: www.medicaltourismindex.com/

About International Healthcare Research Center
The International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC) promotes and provides transparency and improves global healthcare quality, population health management, expanded access to care, and the consumer healthcare experience. IHRC is a 501c (3) non-profit research center, headquartered in the United States. www.healthcareresearchcenter.org

About Medical Tourism Association®
The Medical Tourism Association® is the first membership-based international nonprofit trade organization for the medical tourism and healthcare industry made up of top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliates committed to promoting the highest level of quality healthcare to patients in a global environment. www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com