International Medical Tourism Research Articles

Exploring the Role of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) in Leveraging Social Media as a Destination Marketing Tool: Insights from Himachal Pradesh

TOURISM: Tourism is the movement of people to destinations outside their usual environment for various reasons, including leisure, business, or other purposes. These visitors' activities, known as the visitor economy, can have a significant impact on the visited locations economically, socially, and culturally. This can involve enjoying recreational activities, relaxation, and pleasure, often with the help of established businesses offering services and experiences. Tourism is a multifaceted and dynamic industry that has evolved significantly over the years. It encompasses the movement of people to destinations outside their usual environment for personal or recreational purposes, contributing substantially to the global economy and generating employment opportunities and income for millions. The tourism industry can be broadly categorized into two primary types: international tourism, where tourists travel to foreign lands, and domestic tourism, where tourists explore their own country. The most frequently visited countries by international tourists include France, Spain, the United States, China, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Tourism serves as a crucial industry, providing employment and income to millions of people worldwide and contributing significantly to the economies of various nations. The steady rise in popularity of tourism since the 1950s can be attributed to advancements in technology, the proliferation of the internet, the increasing availability of paid vacations, demographic changes, and media exposure. The tourism life cycle, proposed by Professor Richard Butler, consists of four stages: initial discovery, growth, decline, and regeneration. This model helps us understand the pattern of popularity that tourist destinations follow. Tourism is not limited to leisure activities; it also includes business tourism, cultural travel, environmental effects of aviation, international tourism advertising, medical tourism, and science tourism, among others. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) plays a crucial role in promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism, providing statistics and insights on key indicators for inbound and outbound tourism globally. In conclusion, tourism is a complex and multifaceted industry that has a significant impact on the global economy and local communities. It encompasses various forms, including international and domestic tourism, and serves as a crucial source of employment and income for millions of people worldwide.

Charting the Sustainable Course: Navigating the Saudi Arabia Medical and Wellness Tourism Roadmap with Business Model Canvas (BMC)

Medical and wellness tourism has emerged as a pivotal sector with significant economic implications globally, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study delves into the landscape of Saudi Arabia’s medical and wellness tourism, recognizing its importance as a key player in the tourism industry. The study aims to elevate this sector to new heights on the global stage by employing the Business Model Canvas (BMC) as a strategic tool. BMC allows for a comprehensive analysis of the medical tourism industry in Saudi Arabia, breaking down key elements across its nine blocks: key partners, key activities, key resources, value propositions, customer segments, channels, customer relationships, cost structure, and revenue streams. The results of this study shed light on the unique selling proposition (USP) as a crucial strategic step for Saudi Arabia to distinguish itself and enhance its position in the international medical tourism arena. By identifying and maximizing the unique aspects within each BMC block, the study presents a roadmap for Saudi Arabia, navigating the challenges and capitalizing on the potential of the medical and wellness tourism sector. This research serves as a guide, emphasizing the strategic importance of a well-defined business model to shape the future of medical and wellness tourism in Saudi Arabia and establish a prominent global presence.

Multidimensional destination perception effects over medical tourists’ behavioural in emerging destinations: empirical evidence from China’s international medical tourism pilot area

PurposeThis study aims to explore the consumer perceptions of cognition and intention to visit pilot zone of international medical tourism as emerging, developed medical tourism destinations.Design/methodology/approachUsing a survey-based quantitative method, based on a survey of 439 tourists who have cross-border travel experience, the partial least squares approach was performed to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that internal factors had a stronger influence on destination image compared to external factors. Among different factors, preferential policies had the greatest impact on intention to visit. Perceived quality had a stronger effect on intention to visit than preference. Geographical distance had a varied effect, with those furthest away in Northeast China showing greater intention to visit compared to closer regions.Originality/valueThis study explores the impact of multidimensional destination perception on medical tourists’ behavioural intention in emerging destinations by integrating the push-pull theory and theory of planned behaviour and tests how geographical distance affects intention to visit emerging destinations. Using China international medical tourism pilot area as a typical case of medical tourism emerging destinations for empirical analysis. This research offers guidance for branding and marketing strategies, contributes to a deeper understanding of medical tourists’ destination choices, enriches the theoretical explanation of emerging destination choice in medical tourism and provides valuable insights for destination recovery.

The Ethics of International Medical Tourism.

The Ethics of International Medical Tourism.

Quantitative Research of Medical Tourism Market in Thailand

Introduction. Recently, the medical tourism industry in Thailand has undergone significant qualitative transformations, with the healthcare sector as the main driver of the development and growth of the country's economy. On a global scale, medical tourism in Thailand demonstrates a significant increase in market value that exceeds the global average, ranking in the top five of the most attractive medical tourism destinations.
 A combination of medical services provided by highly qualified specialists, low-cost treatment, as well as ambitious government initiatives allowed Thailand to become one of the industry leaders and a significant hub for healthcare and tourism development. In general, there is a significant potential for market expansion. In particular, Russian tourists are largely represented in Thailand’s tourism market.
 Purpose. The purpose of the study was to identify the key drivers of medical tourism in Thailand that may help to adjust Russian national strategy to the development of medical tourism and the export of medical services within the framework of the Federal Project ”Export of Medical Services” as part of the National Project “Healthcare” upon the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 204 dated May 7th, 2018.
 Results and conclusion. Despite the fact that modern international medical tourism is relatively new, the entry into the market of both a separate medical organization and a governmental one is associated with a high threshold of entry requiring significant legal, infrastructural, scientific, and educational transformations, as well as ensuring the safety of medical tourism services at different levels, from national to municipal and hospital. Thus, the global scientific society is interested in the experiences of the countries that have achieved significant results in the international medical tourism market. Thailand is a striking example of a leading destination for medical tourists from Southeast Asia. The ecosystem of medical and wellness tourism created and supported by the government includes doctors, patients, medical organizations, international certification companies, assistance agencies, and medical tourism agencies. The creation of appropriate conditions for the essential development of all market participants allowed Thailand to begin its journey as a global medical destination in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Advancing pediatric perioperative Care in India: Acontemporary overview.

In the last 30 years, significant advances have been made in pediatric medical care globally. However, there is a persistent urban-rural gap which is more pronounced in low middle-income countries than high-income countries, similar urban-rural gap exists in India. While on one hand, health care is on par or better than healthier nations thriving international medical tourism industry, some rural parts have reduced access to high-quality care. With this background, we aim to provide an overview of the present and future of healthcare in India. With the cumulative health experience of the authors or more than 100 years, we have provided our experience and expertise about healthcare in India in this narrative educational review. This is supplemented by the government plans and non government plans as appropriate. References are used to justify as applicable. With the high percentage of pediatric population like other low to middle-income countries, India faces challenges in pediatric surgery and anesthesia due to limited resources and paucity of specialized training, especially in rural areas. Data on the access and quality of care is scarce, and the vast rural population and uneven resource distribution add to the challenges along with the shortage of pediatric surgeons in these areas of specialized care . Addressing these challenges requires a multi faceted strategy that targets both immediate and long-term healthcare needs, focusing on improving the facilities and training healthcare professionals. Solutions could include compulsory rural service, district residency programs, increasing postgraduate or residency positions, and safety courses offered by national and international organizations like Safer Anesthesia from Education Pediatrics, Vital Anesthesia Simulation Training, and World Federation of Society of Anesthesiologists pediatric fellowships. India has achieved great strides in perioperative health care and safety. It has become the major international medical industry due to high-quality care, access and costs. Crucially, India needs to establish local hubs for pediatric perioperative care training to enhance healthcare delivery for children.

Medical tourism among Indonesians: a scoping review

BackgroundInternational medical travel or medical tourism is not a new phenomenon in many countries, including among Indonesians. Indonesia is reported as a major source of patients from the lower, middle, to upper classes for its neighbouring countries. This scoping review aims to synthesise evidence on supporting factors for Indonesians taking medical tourism and what needs to be improved in Indonesia’s health system.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review guided by a framework provided by Arksey and O’Malley. We systematically searched existing literature from 5 databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Wiley. Data were extracted based on study details, study design, characteristics of participants and results. Analysis followed the three-stage procedure outlined by Thomas and Harden: (1) coding the text line by line, interpreting the data and identifying concepts or themes; (2) developing descriptive themes by grouping similar concepts in theme and subtheme and (3) generating analytical themes by reviewing preliminary themes and discussing the addition or revision of themes.ResultsA total of 25 articles were included in this review. The review highlights a broad range of facilitators for medical tourism among Indonesians: (i) availability of health services, medical specialities, and person-centred care, (ii) region adjacency, transport, and health agency, (iii) affordability of medical treatment, (iv) religious and socio-cultural factors, and (v) reasons patients reported distrust in Indonesian doctors.ConclusionThe findings indicate improvements in the Indonesian health system are necessary if the increasing rates of international medical tourism by Indonesian people are to change. Addressing the factors identified in this scoping review through avenues including policy may increase people’s satisfaction and trust towards health care and treatment in Indonesia, thereby reducing the number of Indonesian people taking medical tourism.

Tools for the Development of Regional Medical Tourism Programs: International Experience

Background. Internationalization of global healthcare and, in particular, the development of international medical tourism, informs the creation of a strategy for the development of domestic medical tourism programs in regions, states, or provinces using various tools for each stage of market development. 
 Purpose. This article aims to identify, classify, and analyze the development tools for regional medical tourism programs applied in the countries recognized as international destinations for medical tourism. 
 Methods and materials. The study data are based on foreign and domestic scientific publications in the field of international medical tourism and the export of medical services. The authors analyzed publications on the development of regional medical tourism programs in the media and performed content analysis of scientific publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
 Results. The internationalization of global healthcare has a significant influence on cross-border private medical travel (medical tourism), thus encouraging the development of both national and regional healthcare. The existing global practice of 19 countries in regional medical tourism provides an extensive development toolkit that includes more than 70 tools focusing on various aspects of the elaboration and implementation of opportunities for regional medical tourism and the export of medical services. The tools can be implemented in one of the four stages of market development: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. The first stage is characterized by the prevalence of tools related to analysis and the development of the market base. The growth stage focuses on market expansion. At the third stage, the first tools aimed at offering better price for medical services appear. The stage of market decline is focused on the expansion of the target consumers by increasing the financial accessibility of medical tours. At the same time, the third and fourth stages are characterized by a limited number of support tools, which can be explained by the relative immaturity of the global medical tourism market and the focus on programs designed for the international market rather than on increasing economic efficiency. Therefore, in the following years, the scientific and professional communities will focus on the development and implementation of tools that can increase the reflow of financial resources expended on market development.
 The results of this study can be useful to the subjects of the Russian Federation that are interested in the development of regional strategies in terms of the federal project on the development of the export of medical services as part of the “Healthcare” national project.

베트남 의료관광 수요 결정요인에 관한 연구

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify the predictive factors of medical tourism in Vietnam by analyzing the variables that lead to the annual visitor number. Design/methodology/approach – This study collected data from Vietnamese with experience in domestic and international medical tourism, and focused on Hanoi, Vietnam. In this study, the variable of medical tourism preferences was applied independently. Factors that impacted the number of annual visitors were estimated by the truncated Poisson model. Findings – The results of the TP model analysis of demand for medical tourism are as follows. Among the variables related to socio-economic characteristics, age, marital status, and occupation had a significantly positive effect on the number of annual medical visits. These results imply that it is important to understand socio-economic characteristics to expand demand for medical tourism in Vietnam, which shows high growth potential. The top three variables that gave a significant positive effect on the number of annual medical visitors are the level of medical technology, waiting time, and price, as well as medical service experience. Research implications – The results indicate the need to develop medical tourism products tailored to consumer tastes by subdividing medical technology levels, waiting for time and price, medical experience services, and so on. Thus, the results presented by this study create a starting point for the development of demand forecasting models for the domestic, international, and Vietnamese medical tourism markets in the future.

International medical tourism of US cancer patients for alternative cancer treatments: Financial, demographic, and clinical profiles of online crowdfunding campaigns.

Previous research has found that individuals may travel outside their home countries in pursuit of alternative cancer therapies (ACT). The goal of this study is to compare individuals in the United States who propose plans for travel abroad for ACT, compared with individuals who seek ACT domestically. Clinical and treatment data were extracted from campaign descriptions of 615 GoFundMe® campaigns fundraising for individuals in the United States seeking ACT between 2011 and 2019. We examined treatment modalities, treatment location, fundraising metrics, and online engagement within campaign profiles. Clinical and demographic differences between those who proposed international travel and those who sought ACT domestically were examined using two-sided Fisher's exact tests. Differences in financial and social engagement data were examined using two-sided Mann-Whitney tests. Of the total 615 campaigns, 237 (38.5%) mentioned plans to travel internationally for ACT, with the majority (81.9%) pursuing travel to Mexico. Campaigns that proposed international treatment requested more money ($35,000 vs. $22,650, p < 0.001), raised more money ($7833 vs. $5035, p < 0.001), had more donors (57 vs. 45, p=0.02), and were shared more times (377 vs. 290.5, p=0.008) compared to campaigns that did not. The median financial shortfall was greater for campaigns pursuing treatments internationally (-$22,640 vs. -$13,436, p < 0.003). Campaigns proposing international travel for ACT requested and received more money, were shared more online, and had more donors. However, there was significantly more unmet financial need among this group, highlighting potential financial toxicity on patients and families.

A Patient-Dentist Treatment Bridge Between Switzerland and Ukraine Despite the Turbulent Times

Dental and medical tourism in a peaceful time is highly popular in the current century of globalization. The share of dental tourism is 32 percent of the total number of the international medical tourism market. COVID-19 pandemic made its impact on such type of “treatment travels” requiring safety measures and appropriate travel health insurance. Nevertheless, dental tourism in a wartime is completely unusual and needs to be analyzed. That is why we present a case of such treatment.

국제의료관광 코디네이터의 직업전문성이 직무만족과 조직몰입 및 경영성과에 미치는 영향

Purpose: In this study, the effects of professionalism of international medical tourism coordinators on job satisfaction and the effects of job satisfaction on organizational commitment and management performance are empirically studied to suggest ways to improve the management performance of medical tourism hospitals. Methods: In order to achieve the purpose of the study, a survey was conducted on international medical tourism coordinators working at medical tourism hospitals located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and the survey was conducted face-to-face and non-face-to-face. 112 questionnaires were retrieved through face-to-face surveys, and 53 copies were retrieved online. Of the collected questionnaires, a total of 162 questionnaires were used for empirical analysis, excluding 3 questionnaires with insincere responses. Results: As a result of the factor analysis, professionalism was classified into four factors: social importance, sense of calling, autonomy, and belief in self-regulation. Job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and management performance were each classified into a single dimension. As a result of hypothesis testing, it was found that social importance and autonomy had a significant effect on job satisfaction, and job satisfaction had a significant effect on organizational commitment and management performance. Conclusion: The professionalism of the international medical tourism coordinator was studied to increase job satisfaction, organizational commitment and management performance

한국과 중국의 국제의료관광 정책 비교연구: 보아오 국제의료관광 선행구를 중심으로

This study focuses on suggesting a path for medical tourism in Korea by examining institutional support cases such as free trade ports in Chinese medical tourism pilot zone, which is developing the medical tourism industry with a focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine. This study reviewed at the medical tourism policy promoted by China, focusing on the Boao International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. China has adopted a strategy of conducting a pilot operation in a specific area when making new policy attempts and expanding the application area according to the result. The service level of medical and wellness tourism also depends on infrastructure such as the connectivity of international transportation, the comfort of accommodation, and the convenience of domestic transportation. Therefore, an appropriate level of policy support related to infrastructure will be required. This paper presents the direction and implications for high value-added medical tourism to overcome the difficulties that the tourism industry is experiencing after COVID-19.

MEDİKAL TURİZİMDE DİJİTAL PAZARLAMA GÜVENİ VE MEDİKAL TURİST SADAKATİ İLİŞKİSİ: ULUSLARARASI TURİSTLER ÜZERİNE BİR ARAŞTIRMA

Uluslararası medikal turizm, hastaların zorunlu veya tercihen tedaviler için başka ülkelere seyahat etmesidir. İnsanların sağlık hizmetlerinde diğer ülkeleri tercih etmelerinin en önemli nedenleri arasında fiyat ve sağlık hizmetlerinde sunulan kolaylıklar gelmektedir. Sadık müşteriler, sağlık hizmeti sunan işletmeler için önemlidir. Çalışmanın evrenini Türkiye’ye sağlık hizmetleri almak için gelen yabancı turistler oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmanın örneklemi 247 uluslararası turistten oluşmaktadır. Hipotez testleri için SPSS 26 programı kullanılmıştır. Bu çalışmada, dijital pazarlama güveni ile medikal turist sadakati arasındaki ilişkide fiyat kalitesi ve uygunluğunun aracılık etkisi incelenmiş, pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki gözlemlenmiştir. Dijital pazarlama güveni ile medikal turist sadakati arasındaki ilişkide aracılık etkisinin genel etkiyi artırdığı ortaya çıkmıştır.

The Post Pandemic Revitalization Plan for the Medical Tourism Sector in South Korea: A Brief Review.

The significant impacts of recent infectious diseases (MERS, COVID-19) demand fundamental changes and alternatives in different markets, such as tourism and the medical tourism industry. In this study, we aimed to have a historical investigation on how infectious diseases have affected the tourism industry in Korea, to reach practical implications for managing the medical tourism sector. The impact of global infectious diseases, including MERS, and COVID-19, on the tourism industry was studied in South Korea. First, the available information was collected to clarify how these two outbreaks have impacted the tourism market in South Korea, and then the government’s countermeasures were studied. Investigating among the policies resulted in practical implications for the post-pandemic revitalizing plan for the medical tourism market. The infectious outbreak caused a significant decrease in the number of inbound tourists to South Korea, moreover, the crisis response system of the government has been useful so far. Hence, several practical implications can be achieved for the medical tourism market. A framework is suggested which involves 5 stages of strategies to revitalize medical tourism market. It presents remedies to revitalize the medical tourism industry and to enter the global market again. Korea’s quarantine model, which succeeded in preventing COVID-19, can be a preemptive response to another pandemic in the future. The medical tourism industry policy based on Korea’s quarantine model will contribute to the revitalization of the international medical tourism industry after COVID-19.

Highlighting Differences in Cancer Epidemiology in India: A Descriptive Report from a Private Sector Hospital-Based Cancer Registry in Delhi for the Years 2013 to 2017

Abstract Introduction Cancer continues to grow in number. Knowing the epidemiology helps in prevention and treatment. Existing hospital-based cancer registries (HBCRs) provide little data of private sector including patients for medical tourism. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of cancer at a tertiary center in the private sector in North India for all cancer patients. Materials and Methods Cases were ascertained from the Oncology Outpatient Department of Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2017, and from pathology database since July 2015. They were abstracted into National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) core pro forma. We conducted a descriptive analysis of distribution by age, gender, nationality, site, stage, and treatment. Results Among the 15,850 confirmed cases, 8,034 (51%) were males. Nearly 1.8% of patients were pediatric (&lt;15 years) and 30.1% geriatric (&gt;65 years). A high proportion of patients (13%) came from outside India and 27% from outside Delhi-National Capital Region. The most common cancers in males were prostate (10.9%), lung (10%), and mouth (7.6%). Stomach was the most common site of cancer in international male patients. Four of the top ten cancers in males were of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum). The most common cancers in females were breast (37.4%), ovary (7.1%), and corpus uteri (5.6%). Tobacco-related cancers accounted for 36.9% of cancers in males and 11.3% in females. The composite stage in males was IV in 54%, followed by stage III (21%), stage II (15%), and stage I (10%). In females, stage IV was 33%, stage III was 23%, stage II was 28%, and stage I was 16%. As registry included outpatient record visits and pathology records, not all registered patients received treatment at Max Super Specialty Hospital. Overall, 49.8% of male patients and 49.7% of female patients received treatment at Max Super Specialty Hospital. Data quality metrics matched other national HBCRs. Conclusion We highlight the differences from other NCRP HBCRs, with prostate cancer being the top cancer in males and gastrointestinal cancers forming major proportion among all. Socioeconomic status of our patients, referral bias, and international medical tourism could be responsible.

Real-world data studies of medical products in the context of special healthcare policy: study designs and key considerations

Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Area is the only administrative area in China where the pilot application of real-world data is performed. Based on the special healthcare policy in Boao Lecheng, conducting real-world data study to provide real-world evidence for the clinical evaluations and approvals of innovated medical products has become an important field that supports the reform of China's evaluation and approval system of medical products. Trustworthy real-world evidence needs to rely on both high-quality real-world data and reasonable and rigorous study designs. Based on the real-world data research guidelines and specifications issued by relevant academic research and regulatory authorities both at home and abroad, combined with the special policy environment of Boao Lecheng and previous practice experience, this paper summarizes the study designs of real world data in Boao Lecheng and discusses the key considerations of different study design in the context of special healthcare policies in Boao Lecheng in order to provide reference for the further study of real-world data.

Medical Tourism: Analysis of the State of International Tourism and Prospects for Domestic Development

Medical tourism is a relatively popular area of tourism, and the primary purpose is to organize the treatment of a patient abroad. It differs from usual tourism in that rest abroad is combined with medical services, which are ready to provide the world's leading centres and clinics. The study is devoted to developing recommendations for ensuring the sustainable development of Ukrainian medical tourism, based on the analysis of international tourism achievements. In their study, the authors similarly considered the very concept of medical tourism, its features and main directions, namely, the authors deemed such directions as diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitation, health-improving and non-traditional tourism. The authors examined the leading countries of inbound medical tourism, as well as the key incentives for such tourists. Analysis of the growth dynamics of medical tourists by year and the main directions of medical tourism in Ukraine allowed the authors to highlight the most promising Ukrainian medical tourism destinations. In conclusion, the authors analyzed the benefits of international and Ukrainian medical tourism. Summing up, the authors concluded that medical tourism in Ukraine is only at the initial stage of its development; however, certain regions have significant potential for its successful formation.

Treating pediatric and congenital heart disease abroad? Imperatives for local health system development

Over one million children are born with congenital heart defects each year, whereas four million children live with with rheumatic heart disease. Although a majority of these patients will eventually require surgical or interventional care, most live in areas without access to safe, timely, and affordable cardiac surgical care. Countries with limited or no local cardiac surgical care spend up to over 10% of their health budgets on sending patients abroad to receive cardiac care. Similarly, billions of dollars are spent each year on international medical tourism, notably including seeking cardiac surgical care abroad. Some low- and middle-income countries have successfully invested in domestic cardiac surgical services, saving tens of millions of dollars over time whilst strengthening local health systems. In this article, we describe international medical tourism for pediatric and congenital heart disease, and present an analysis on whether expenditure in seeking foreign care for cardiovascular patients is worth the cost in light of a neglect of investments in local cardiac services in countries with growing health systems.

Assessing the Risks of China's Medical Tourism from the Legal Perspective.

While China’s medical tourism industry is increasingly standardized and institutionalized, the relevant research assessing its legal risks is still absent. This paper aims to evaluate the risks of medical tourism from the legal perspective by exploring the conflict between the developing new practice and the existing legal system, summarizing the legal risks in medical tourism, and proposing measures and suggestions to mitigate such risks. The empirical research method is employed to review the legal risks in Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, which is the pioneering project of China’s development within the medical tourism industry. These research methods include collecting the latest medical tourism policies and regulations, judicial decisions, and on-the-spot investigation of the Pilot Zone. It is found that the legal risks in medical tourism activities are mainly concentrated in the administrative, civil and litigious legal relations, and concern four major subjects which are regulators, medical operators, tourism operators and consumers. For regulators, their administrative supervision has not been well in place before and during medical tourism activities, and there remain legal gaps in regulation. In terms of the protection of consumers’ substantive rights, service providers and operators may evade their responsibilities by exploring the vacuum area during the transition from the old laws to the new ones, and the conflicting provisions exist between the special laws and general ones. Concerning the protection of consumers’ litigation rights, there are many obstacles for consumers to safeguard their interests through litigation in a foreign land. In this paper, medical tourism activities are identified among four legal subjects and involving three types of legal risks, in the hope to help improve the overall understanding of medical tourism from the legal perspective, and put forward targeted suggestions on the potential legal risks.