Challenges and Achievements of Medical Tourism from the viewpoint of Medical tourists and Service Providers in the Public Hospitals of Shiraz (2017)

Challenges and achievements of medical tourism

Abstract

Introduction: Obviously, medical tourism is growing rapidly. This study aimed to identify the challenges and achievements of medical tourism from the viewpoint of medical tourists and service providers in the public hospitals of Shiraz in 2007. Method: This descriptive study was carried out through structural and thematic analysis, using a method called SWOT. The study sample included all tourists, medical tourists, and service providers in the public hospitals of Shiraz. Accordingly, 21 medical staff and 31 medical tourists were investigated. The Friedman Test was used to prioritize and rank the most important weaknesses, strengths, opportunities, and threats of medical tourism. Results: The results showed that medical tourism in the public hospitals of Shiraz had 9 strengths, 8 weaknesses, 8 opportunities, and 6 threats. A total of 17 strategies, including four SO strategies, three ST strategies, six WO strategies, and four WT strategies for medical tourism in the public hospitals of Shiraz were developed. Some of the major parts of these strategies included the development of medical tourism in the public hospitals of Shiraz, the establishment of medical justice for medical tourists through the optimal distribution of services and control over price and quality, the fight against corruption and collusion, plans for supporting the officials, financial support and investment in the medical tourism sector, and the development of strategic plans for supporting medical tourism. Conclusion: It seems that appropriate policies should be legislated by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to improve the medical tourism in Shiraz.