Effective factors in expansion of medical tourism in Iran.
BACKGROUND
Medical tourism (MT) refers to circumstances in which people travel for medical treatments. The present study focuses on determining factors affecting MT in Iran.


METHODS
The study uses a mixed method approach. Initially, through a qualitative study, 12 experts were interviewed deeply; then, 22 participants in three equal focus groups expressed their ideas about growth and development of MT in Iran. Based on the expressed ideas, 120 factors were identified and accordingly a structured questionnaire was developed. Some members from the focus groups confirmed the questionnaire's face and content validity. The reliability of pertinent items was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha=0.8. Afterwards, 61 eligible subjects filled out this questionnaire.


RESULTS
The findings showed that "healthcare quality" and "high level of expertise" are two most attractive factors in MT. However, other factors such as "healthcare costs", and "visa facilities" are among key factors as well. Also, the role of "the healthcare providers" was found to be more prominent than the roles of "the government" and "the general tourist services".


CONCLUSIONS
Although some attractive MT factors are present currently, MT expansion to a desirable level in Iran requires a comprehensive plan of which its factors were discussed in this paper.
MSc, Institute of Technology, Linköping University, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping, Sweden, & Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Deputy of Curative Affairs, Budget Administration, Tehran, Iran. rezaee@health.gov.ir.
Reza
R
Rezaee
Pharm. D, PhD, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mehrzan@gmail.com.
Mehdi
M
Mohammadzadeh
Access to care; Health Tourism; Healthcare Cost; Healthcare Quality; Iran; Medical tourism
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