Development Of Medical Tourism Research Articles

Medical Tourism Policy in China: Its Structure, Evolution, and Development Process

ABSTRACT Medical tourism is a policy area with obvious policy connotations. Drawing on public policy theories and frameworks to explore the development of medical tourism policies can give an understanding of the future development trends of the medical tourism industry. This research uses public policy research methods and analyzes the characteristics of China’s medical tourism policy texts from three perspectives: structural characteristics, evolution stages, and development process. This analysis comprehensively and scientifically reflects the status of China’s medical tourism policy. This research has shed some light on the theory and practice of medical tourism development.

Trends in publication activity on the problems of research on the development of medical tourism in the world

The article provides a bibliometric analysis of publications related to medical tourism. Attention is paid both to the publications of domestic specialized publications and to the publications of the scientometric databases Scopus and Web of Science. The article offers an analysis of the publication activity of the authors regarding research on the problems of medical tourism by geographical distribution, by key words, in terms of sponsors of funding of such research. The conducted analysis of publication activity is displayed, including, using the visualization tool of bibliometric networks VOSviewer for the period 2002–2023. This article can be useful for scientists and researchers who intend to study trends in the development of medical tourism, to summarize and analyze the flow of materials from different regions, determining best practices and developing a strategy for the development of this industry.

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.

Проблемы и возможности медицинского туризма в Челябинской области.

Since January 1, 2019, the Federal project “Development of export of medical services” is being implemented, which is aimed at improving the quality of medical services in the Russian Federation and their promotion on the international market. Despite this, the problems and opportunities of medical tourism remain one of the urgent health problems not only in Russia, but also in the Chelyabinsk region. Through the conducted research, among political, economic, social and technological factors, problems and opportunities affecting the development of the export of medical services in the region were identified. The experts also named the necessary measures for the development and promotion of medical services on the international market Aim: analysis of existing problems in the field of medical tourism and import of medical services offered on the territory of the Russian Federation, and identification of possible prospects for the development of this area of medical activity. Materials and methods. The materials of this study were analytical materials and official statistical data of the FSBI “TSNIIOIZ” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. When processing the results, the information and analytical method, the statistical method, the method of questioning and expert evaluation, the method of processing and summarizing information were used. Results. The study involved 50 medical workers holding senior positions in medical organizations of the Chelyabinsk region (heads of structural divisions, chief physicians and deputy chief physicians). The study of the opinion of the study participants on the problems and prospects of the development of medical tourism led to the following results: • Shortage of personnel and material and technical resources is the main constraining factor of development in the provision of medical services to foreign citizens • It is necessary to equip medical organizations with a sufficient amount of medical equipment to increase the level of medical services provided to foreign citizens. The analysis of the external environment revealed political, economic, social and technological factors that hinder and contribute to the development of medical tourism in the country. Thus, the leading political factor contributing to the development of the export of medical services, experts called the support of medical tourism from the state. And the respondents consider the sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States to be the main negative political factor. Respondents consider the relatively low cost of providing paid medical services as the main economic opportunity for the development of medical tourism. Whereas the main negative economic factor is the increase in the cost of medical devices and medical equipment due to restrictions on the import of imported equipment directly and the emergence of parallel imports. The most important for attracting foreign patients among social factors is the level of qualification of medical personnel, as well as high performance indicators in certain medical areas. Significant social threats, from the point of view of the respondents, is the lack of a unified system of voluntary medical insurance and international accreditation for most medical organizations of the Russian Federation. In order to develop medical tourism and increase the demand for Russian medical organizations among foreign tourists, the participants of the experiment consider it necessary to use the latest treatment technologies and achieve an international level of service, as well as create conditions that will help foreign patients to facilitate obtaining a medical visa. Conclusion. The results of the study made it possible to assess the problems of medical tourism and assess the prospects for development from the point of view of the heads of medical organizations of the Chelyabinsk region, as well as to develop a set of measures for the development of medical tourism in the Chelyabinsk region. The scope of the results. The data obtained will allow us to develop a set of measures aimed at the development of medical tourism in Russia, the adoption of which will help to increase the volume of exports of medical services and the number of treated foreign citizens.

Аналіз потреби в регіональних оздоровчо-лікувальних туристичних дестинаціях для дітей

The article considers the importance and prospects for the development of medical and health tourism, taking into account the unstable geopolitical situation in the country after the fullscale invasion of Russia. Recommendations for the balanced development of health and wellness destinations are provided. The article analyses the strategies for the development of healthimproving tourist destinations for children in the Odesa region using the SWOT analysis. The demand for the provision of health and medical services for children is studied by means of a questionnaire. The study is an important component of the sustainable development of the tourism industry in the Odesa region, as well as for the state as a whole.

The Impact of Macroeconomic Indicators on Medical Tourism: A Global Perspective

Medical tourism is an expanding global phenomenon stimulating economic development driven by a combination of multiple macro and socioeconomic factors. The study aims to investigate whether the development of medical tourism globally is associated with specific macroeconomic indicators. The association of Medical Tourism Index (MTI) is explored with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), healthcare spending and international tourism receipts. A countries’ grouping method and an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model were used. MTI was used as the outcome variable, while macroeconomic indicators as potential predictors. The grouping of countries showed that European and Asian countries as well as Canada excel high ranking in all indicators. However, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) that exhibit high performance in GDP, rank below the MTI average. Caribbean and Latin American countries are ranking high in the MTI but fall below the average in all the indicators. The OLS analysis showed a positive correlation between the score of the MTI and health expenditure and no correlation among MTI, GDP and international tourism receipts, a finding also supported by the grouping analysis. Taking into consideration the similarities and disparities found among countries regarding the macroeconomic indicators mostly impacting medical tourism, it seems that there is a consensus on their relationship but not clearly identified rather due to a variety of social, cultural and ethical factors that dominate in each country. Further research is needed in order to obtain more robust and comparative evidence.

The market of medical tourism: opportunities and perspectives

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and the complex geopolitical situation have considerably reduced international medical travel, which has had a significant impact on the medical tourism market. At the same time, these circumstances have acted as a trigger for expanding the range of opportunities in the domestic market and the emergence of new types of medical services, such as vaccine tourism.
 AIM: To study the current opportunities of the medical tourism market in Russia and to outline promising areas for its development and optimization in view of the existing limitations.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The article reviews current legislative and regulatory legal acts, publications of modern authors on the issue of medical tourism development in Russia and also studies the demand for and popularity of medical tourism among the consumer audience (through Google Trends service).
 RESULTS: Based on the analysis, it is established that the main difficulties of medical tourism sector development in our country at the present stage are weak transport infrastructure, low targeting of services and imperfections of the unified register.
 CONCLUSION: Such problems as weak transport infrastructure, low targeting and amateur private sector activities reduce the pace of development of domestic tourism. Given the current shortcomings, optimization of the domestic medical tourism market in Russia requires building new logistics solutions.

Exploring the Potential of a Multi-Level Approach to Advance the Development of the Medical Tourism Industry in Indonesia.

Nowadays, the global medical tourism market size has grown quite rapidly, with a projected increase of 21.1% between 2021 and 2028. This study aimed to explore barriers and potential strategies for the development of medical tourism in Indonesia. A qualitative case study design was employed, where 8 respondents were selected using an expert sampling method from various groups according to the helix framework, including academics, government, professional organizations, the private sector, and the media. Data was collected through document analysis and in-depth interviews, and was analyzed manually using an inductive thematic content analysis approach. Limitations to the development of Indonesian medical tourism are related to regulations concerning medical tourism, the number of health services, distribution, supporting resources, public trust, and competition. At the institutional level, the challenges comprise services and products, hospital facilities, supporting facilities, and marketing processes. Furthermore, at the micro level, the low competency of both health and non-health workers persist as an obstacle. The potential strategy at the macro level include the development of robust marketing and branding strategies, health infrastructure, and resources. At the institutional level, it was necessary to develop related products and services provided, improve quality, and focus on branding and marketing strategies. Additionally, improving human resource skills was needed at the micro level.

Export of educational services for development of medical tourism

The education sector helps attract foreigners for educational purposes, which contributes to the development of medical tourism. Every year the attractiveness of educational services increases and the number of foreign tourists receiving medical education increases. The growth of medical tourism is driving job creation in healthcare, hospitality, tourism and other related industries. Medical tourists spend significant amounts of money on treatment, accommodation, transportation and related services, which contributes to the influx of foreign exchange into the country. The article analyzes the dynamics of the number of educational organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic by type and form of ownership, the number of university students from the CIS countries, from countries outside the CIS, the number of students studying in educational institutions of secondary vocational education of the Kyrgyz Republic from the CIS countries and outside the CIS for 2018- 2022. A typology of educational services for export has been proposed, including bachelor's and master's programs, PhD programs, student mobility, language courses, internships, scientific practical conferences, educational projects, joint scientific research. To develop educational services in medical universities, innovative educational technologies, information and communication technologies, technologies for the development of “critical thinking”, game teaching methods and much more are offered.

Opportunities, challenges and implications of medical tourism development in Hong Kong

AbstractThis study revealed two different sets of push and pull factors affecting the medical travel decision process of two groups of mainland Chinese to Hong Kong, including potential and experienced medical tourists. The relations between identified factors and their willingness of personal visit and recommendation were also investigated. Regarding the recommendation intention, interpersonal acquisition and personal needs satisfaction are mostly considered by travelers in psychological level while recognized high medical reception capacity and quality are also prioritized in the pull aspect. However, local medical service constraints, perceived quality of medical experience shaped by healthcare suppliers, and destination attributes determine the two groups' responses to personal visit intention. Besides, the advantages of developing medical tourism in Hong Kong are implicated as can‐be‐perceived unique cultural attribute, mass tourism fame as medical tourism development basis, and reputation for high‐quality care formed with unintentional or deliberate promotion from third parties and various marketing channels.

РЫНОК УСЛУГ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО И ЛЕЧЕБНО- ОЗДОРОВИТЕЛЬНОГО ТУРИЗМ В САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГЕ: ИТОГИ 2023 ГОДА

The authors analyze the market for medical and health tourism in St. Petersburg. The results of the functioning of the market for medical and health tourism services for 2019-2023 are presented. The article provides data on the number of foreign tourists who visited St. Petersburg for medical purposes and data on the income received by medical institutions providing services to foreign tourists. Proposals are being formulated for the development of medical and health tourism in the city.

Medical Bozhou, Tourism Vigorous—A Study on the Potentiality of Medical Tourism Development in Bozhou

Medical Bozhou, Tourism Vigorous—A Study on the Potentiality of Medical Tourism Development in Bozhou

Identifying and Analysing Iran Medical Tourism Development Barriers Using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping

The medical tourism industry has been observing significant developments in Iran. This country has been attracting tourists from countries in the Middle East and different regions of the world for a long time. However, nowadays, the Iran medical tourism industry faces serious barriers and challenges which deteriorate its participation in the global medical tourism market. The present article aims to investigate the barriers to the development of medical tourism in this country. In this regard, by reviewing the related literature and a weighted content validity ratio (CVR) analysis, 17 critical barriers were identified and finalised. Then, their casual relations were determined using a fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) methodology. The data gathered by a panel consisted of 10 experts in the field of medical tourism. The results show that five barriers, including managers’ lack of knowledge, lack of strategic planning, lack of cooperation and coordination, weak government support and lack of enabling tourism sector, are considered the most important. The findings of this research provide opportunities for practitioners and policymakers to concentrate on Iran’s medical tourism in order to overcome the barriers and consequently enhance the development of this lucrative industry.

Ethical Standards in Innovative Medicine

States are trying to develop the sector of medicine and healthcare in general, as they are one of the factors contributing to the economic development of states. The trend towards the need to invent innovations, both in the field of technology and medicines, leads to changes in the legislation of regional integration associations, as well as in the domestic legislation of the member states of these integration associations. The development of medicine contributes to the development of medical tourism, which is a positive trend. At the same time, the need for innovative development of medicine cannot go in isolation from the norms of religion. With the development of the innovative pharmaceutical business, such issues as the development of modern education, labor legislation, constitutional legislation, as well as the norms of international public and international private law intersect when it comes to private medical companies, cross-border pharmaceutical business. Indeed, the innovative development of health care is possible in the consolidation of the medical community, the exchange of experience, in combination with the norms of religion.

The problems of development of medical health-improving tourism in modern conditions

The analysis of main approaches to determining essence of health-improving tourism in works of national scientists and researchers is presented. The conclusions are made that the most widespread classification of health-improving tourism is its division into medical and health-improving tourism. The medical tourism includes such its types as medical and sanatorium-health resort, and health-improving tourism covers balneologic, SPA-tourism, Wellness-tourism. The difference between medical and health-improving tourism is determined in order to regulate received services. The author's structure of medical and health-improving services, types of tourism and specialized organizations is developed. The analysis of supply and demand for health-improving tourism in 2014-2020 is presented. The main trends of development of health-improving segment in context of such its directions as increasing of SPA and Wellness industry, development of medical tourism, increasing of return on health tourism are formulated. The factors constraining development and reducing competitiveness of health-improving tourism in Russia are identified and structured.

Investigating the quality of Iranian hospitals’ websites and their association to the Province’s share of medical tourism

BackgroundNowadays, virtual methods are among the most important and influential marketing instruments in various industries, such as medical tourism. This study aims to investigate the quality of Iranian hospitals’ web pages and their association with the province’s share of the medical tourism industry in Iran and the ownership type of hospitals.MethodsIn this analytical cross-sectional study, the quality of hospitals’ websites was investigated through a 36-item self-administered questionnaire which was validated, and its reliability was verified (Cronbach’s alpha = 74%.). The questionnaire was categorized into three sections: hospital services and facilities, hospital’s medical tourism-related services, and tourism information of the destination province. The census method was used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using the independent t-test and analysis of variance in SPSS software (version 25), and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsA total of, 102 hospitals with an IPD (International Patients Department) were included in the study, and 21.6% did not have an English-language page and were excluded from the study. The mean total score was 47 ± 7.5, indicating low-quality content. Public hospitals had lower quality scores than semi-private and private hospitals. The total quality score, information about the hospital and its services, and the score of information about medical tourism-related services were associated with the province’s share of national medical tourism.ConclusionAccording to the obtained results and the possible role of website quality in increasing provinces’ medical tourism development, the IPD page on hospital websites should be revised and regularly updated to make them more informative for prospective medical tourists.

An elaboration of obstacles and perspectives of medical tourism development taking the approach of integrated service provision (Case study: Isfahan Province, Iran)

Aim. The intention of the present research has been to examine and evaluate the barriers and limitations to the development of medical tourism in Isfahan as one of Iran’s tourism destinations by taking the approach of service integration.Materials and Methods. This exploratory research was conducted using mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology. Data analysis by the qualitative method was done using MAXQDA-18 software, while by the quantitative method a combination of SWOT strategic planning technique and multi-criteria decision making was usedResults. Multiple weaknesses and challenges were classified by using a framework of indexes developed on different dimensions including: quality of medical services and facilities; access to medical and tourism information; infrastructures and regulations; communications and marketing; environmental factors; treatment procedures and passive defense and international barriers. Meanwhile, the role of each of these dimensions and sub-indexes in impeding medical tourism development in the region was evaluated by examining the association between the various dimensions contributing to medical tourism development in Isfahan.Conclusions. To remove the barriers identified, several strategies are proposed. including the provision of health-based integrated services (medical, treatment and wellness), development of shared products by the sectors involved in this domain, compilation of a comprehensive plan for health tourism development, preparation of a coherent and well-organized scientific plan given the policies of resilient economy, realistic and practical attention to the branding issues, the usage of up-to-date methods of modern marketing plan for the health companies and facilitators, removal of the legal barriers to the medical tourism development and compilation of new supportive, supervisory and advertising policies.

TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ZHAMBYL REGION)

All trips that people make to another place to use health services are described as medical tourism. Today, the demand for medical tourism is high. According to the World Tourism Organization for 2020, in 2019, the number of people participating in tourism activities reached 1.5 billion. 27 percent of these trips are related to family-oriented tourism, religious tourism and medical tourism. Medical tourism, which is estimated at more than $ 500 billion worldwide, is spread all over the world, has the highest growth and development rates and is a tourism sector that is in the center of attention and attractiveness of all countries. From this point of view, it can be seen that the medical tourism market is expanding day by day and is becoming an important sector that attracts the interest of investors and guides the global economy. One of such modern international tourism in various developed countries of the world. The article examines the issues of the state and prospects of development of medical tourism at the world level, including in Kazakhstan, in particular in the Zhambyl region, examines the contribution to the economy of the region, as well as the ways of its development.

Young people's social representations about medical tourism: discriminant analysis

The article considers the category of «medical tourism» as one of the promising sectors of the socio-economic development of a particular country (whether developed or developing). It is noted that the industry is undergoing a number of significant changes under the influence of factors that have arisen over the past three years now. They are the coronavirus pandemic and the tension of the political situation in the country and in the world. Due to restrictions on entry and the rise in the cost of providing medical services, the industry is shifting demand both for medical services themselves and for the countries that are preferred. Undoubtedly, the medical tourism industry needs predictive analysis. Therefore, this study is aimed at building a predictive model, on the basis of which it is possible to assess the prospects for the development of medical tourism, based on the social perceptions and expectations of young people. In the course of the study, it was revealed that the medical tourism industry is studied within the framework of a number of concepts and methods: the theory of queuing, the theory of «gray» systems, the theory of gravity, the analysis of the data shell, the calculation of the Medical Tourism Index (BMI). At the same time, within the framework of the author's study, it is proposed to study the medical tourism industry using discriminant analysis, which makes it possible to identify from a variety of stereotypes those that most influence the prospects for the development of the industry, at the same time determining which ones belong to those young people who believe that industries have development prospects, and which — to those who believe that the prospects are very doubtful. In general, the analysis showed that Russian youth is more oriented towards the Russian market of medical services, and considers a trip abroad to be the prerogative of wealthy people who want to combine health improvement, treatment and recreation.

The Development of Medical Tourism with Preventive Technology: Medical Wellness

Objective: This study aims to examine the Development of Medical Tourism with Preventive Technology: Medical Wellness. Methods: This research was studied using the literature study method, sourced from national and international journals. Journal sources used include Pubmed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and ResearchGate. Results: The study results show that telemedicine and telehealth (or e-health systems) covering all health service providers that use information and communication technology for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of health services can become a preventive technology in the practice of medical tourism and medical wellness in Indonesia. This is because information and communication technology development can be an essential factor in realizing the successful development of medical tourism in Indonesia. Conclusion: The reputation of Bali's tourism infrastructure in Indonesia and the ASEAN region is relatively well established. Growth in health and wellness travel due to improved infrastructure, tourist demand, the hospitality sector and a well-regulated business environment. However, such a comparative advantage does not guarantee that Bali will be able to compete in a world where tourist preferences are the driving force of competition.