Development and validation of medical tourists attracting factors scale (MTAF-46)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background In order to identify the medical tourists attracting factors (MTAF), a standard, comprehensive, and efficient scale is required to further develop this income generating and competitive industry. Aim/Objective The present study aims to develop and validate MTAF scale. Methodology This qualitative and scale development study was conducted in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. The first step involved extracting key variables and applying the Delphi method. In the second and third steps, the face and content validity (CVR and CVI) were examined. In the fourth step, construct validity was investigated. In the last step, internal reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and external reliability was calculated using test-retest method. The data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. Results The psychometric scale showed that final version of the scale consisted of 46 questions in 10 dimensions. The total Cronbach's alpha value was 0.817 and more than 0.70 for each dimension. The overall CVI had an acceptable value of 0.85. The results of CFA showed that the latent construct model had a good fit (Fit indices: X 2/DF = 4.405; RMSEA = 0.039; CFI = 0.918; IFI = 0.919; TLI = 0.911). Conclusions Validation of the designed scale was confirmed.