Center for Health Tourism Strategy

Health Tourism Training Formats Explained

MASTER CLASS WORKSHOPS

To be a CHTS approved Master Class, The CHTS Institute for Continuing Education and Training cannot include sales pitches of any kind during the masterclass. The instructing “Master” may pass out a business card, but only at the request of a participant. 

There are no sales presentations, book sales, or consulting services pitches disguised as a masterclass. If you show up ready to learn and implement, you WILL see results within days of the masterclass. Master Classes are led by true, vetted, “masters” of a skill or subject matter with at least 20 years of working experience – in medical tourism.

The “Master” presenting the workshop must have experience transferring knowledge as a trainer, bring references, and demonstrate deep knowledge of the topic and be able to critique the work of students with helpful instruction and hands-on learning. 

Groups tend to range from 6-25 participants so that there is time for one-on-one training and instruction and interactive learning.

SEMINARS

seminar is a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is requested to participate.

Groups can range in size from a small group to hundreds of attendees in an auditorium.  There is generally little time for interaction at a one-on-one level.  Informality and discussion may be included.

WEBINARS

A webinar is a form of academic instruction or skills training conducted online, either by an academic instructor or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for single or recurring online meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject.

Groups can range in size from a small group to hundreds of attendees on a web-based presentation platform that offers both voice and video or a slide presentation.  There is generally little time for interaction at a one-on-one level. 

Informality and discussion or learning polls and surveys may be included. Webinars are often recorded for replay. 

WORKSHOP

Usually a short course or a brief intensive educational program for a relatively small group of people 6-12 that focuses especially on techniques and skills in a particular field.

There is generally more time allowed for interaction at a one-on-one level.  Informality and discussion are key features.

DIRECTED INDEPENDENT SELF STUDY

A directed independent study course is one in which the student follows a syllabus and proceeds through required learning materials and completes proctored exams or quizzes to demonstrate understanding and competencies in the new skills from the learning. The student is often guided by a faculty member. 

Sometimes “certification” is awarded. Other times, a “certificate of completion” is awarded. Certification generally refers to an earned credential that demonstrates the holder’s specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. Certification differs from a certificate program, which is usually an educational offering that confers a document at the program’s conclusion.

The course is taken at an individual and independent pace. Syllabus usually follows a scaffolded learning process in which skills building is embedded into the order in which courses are completed.  

You’ll find many certificate programs that are “sold” as a certification in medical tourism by commercial organizations posing as official industry “certifying bodies”. Many are of dubious value and unrecognized as an indication of competency by medical tourism providers or the public. Always perform due diligence before purchasing a “certification” or “accreditation” from any seller.