International Patients' Travel Decision Making Process- A Conceptual Framework.
BACKGROUND
Role of information source, perceived benefits and risks, and destination image has significantly been examined in travel and tourism literature; however, in medical tourism it is yet to be examined thoroughly. The concept discussed in this article is drawn form well established models in tourism literature.


METHODS
The purpose of this research was to identify the source of information, travel benefits and perceived risks related to movement of international patients and develop a conceptual model based on well-established theory. Thorough database search (Science Direct, utmj.org, nih.gov, nchu.edu.tw, palgrave-journals, medretreat, Biomedcentral) was performed to fulfill the objectives of the study.


RESULTS
International patients always concern about benefits and risks related to travel. These benefits and risks form images of destination in the minds of international patients. Different sources of information make international patients acquaint about the associated benefits and risks, which later leads to development of intention to visit. This conceptual paper helps in establishing model for decision-making process of international patients in developing visit intention.


CONCLUSIONS
Ample amount of literature is available detailing different factors involved in travel decision making of international patients; however literature explaining relationship between these factors is scarce.
School of Management, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Mohammad Jamal
MJ
Khan
School of Management, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Shankar
S
Chelliah
School of Management, University Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Mahmod Sabri
MS
Haron
Affective image; Information sources; International patients; Medical tourism