Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital

Background and purpose: The globalization of medical tourism has intensified competition among destinations, making it crucial to identify key success factors. While research emphasizes the role of host communities in tourism development, non-medical aspects of medical tourism remain underexplored....

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Main Authors: Shadi Khalilolahi, Nasrin Kazemi, Saeid Besharati, Atefe Abedini, Mohammad Varharam
Format: Article
Language:fas
Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2024-11-01
Series:بیمارستان
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Online Access:http://jhosp.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6693-en.pdf
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author Shadi Khalilolahi
Nasrin Kazemi
Saeid Besharati
Atefe Abedini
Mohammad Varharam
author_facet Shadi Khalilolahi
Nasrin Kazemi
Saeid Besharati
Atefe Abedini
Mohammad Varharam
author_sort Shadi Khalilolahi
collection DOAJ
description Background and purpose: The globalization of medical tourism has intensified competition among destinations, making it crucial to identify key success factors. While research emphasizes the role of host communities in tourism development, non-medical aspects of medical tourism remain underexplored. This study examines healthcare staff perspectives to identify the drivers and barriers affecting medical tourism in public hospitals. Methods: This qualitative study employed structured interviews with 16 healthcare staff at Masih Daneshvari Hospital, selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted in person during the summer of 2024 until data saturation was reached. Data analysis followed an inductive content analysis approach using MAXQDA software for coding, grouping, and categorization of themes into drivers and barriers. Results: Key drivers of medical tourism development include skilled human resources, strong medical potential, affordable healthcare and associated costs, and the presence of complementary attractions. Conversely, major barriers include inadequate welfare services for medical tourists, managerial and institutional inefficiencies, hospital infrastructure deficiencies, and political and cultural challenges. Conclusion: Developing a successful medical tourism sector requires a holistic approach. Identifying, prioritizing, and implementing strategic plans to strengthen facilitators and address obstacles are essential steps toward sustainable growth in this field.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2008-1928
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publisher Tehran University of Medical Sciences
record_format Article
series بیمارستان
spelling doaj-art-00d247d9cfb9451ca9ca2c56b93d5f222025-08-20T01:49:08ZfasTehran University of Medical Sciencesبیمارستان2008-19282228-74502024-11-01233304319Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari HospitalShadi Khalilolahi0Nasrin Kazemi1Saeid Besharati2Atefe Abedini3Mohammad Varharam4 M.A. Student in Tourism Management, Faculty of Tourism, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. *Corresponding Author Email: shadi.khalilolahi@ gmail.com Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Management and Economics, Faculty of Tourism, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Nursing Research Center of Respiratory Diseases (NRCRD), National Research Institute of tuberculosis and lung diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of medicine science, Tehran, Iran. Associate Professor, Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mycobacteriology Research Center (MRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Background and purpose: The globalization of medical tourism has intensified competition among destinations, making it crucial to identify key success factors. While research emphasizes the role of host communities in tourism development, non-medical aspects of medical tourism remain underexplored. This study examines healthcare staff perspectives to identify the drivers and barriers affecting medical tourism in public hospitals. Methods: This qualitative study employed structured interviews with 16 healthcare staff at Masih Daneshvari Hospital, selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted in person during the summer of 2024 until data saturation was reached. Data analysis followed an inductive content analysis approach using MAXQDA software for coding, grouping, and categorization of themes into drivers and barriers. Results: Key drivers of medical tourism development include skilled human resources, strong medical potential, affordable healthcare and associated costs, and the presence of complementary attractions. Conversely, major barriers include inadequate welfare services for medical tourists, managerial and institutional inefficiencies, hospital infrastructure deficiencies, and political and cultural challenges. Conclusion: Developing a successful medical tourism sector requires a holistic approach. Identifying, prioritizing, and implementing strategic plans to strengthen facilitators and address obstacles are essential steps toward sustainable growth in this field.http://jhosp.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6693-en.pdfmedical tourismdriversbarriersmasih daneshvari hospitalhealthcare staff
spellingShingle Shadi Khalilolahi
Nasrin Kazemi
Saeid Besharati
Atefe Abedini
Mohammad Varharam
Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital
بیمارستان
medical tourism
drivers
barriers
masih daneshvari hospital
healthcare staff
title Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital
title_full Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital
title_fullStr Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital
title_full_unstemmed Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital
title_short Drivers and Barriers of Medical Tourism Development in Public Hospitals from the Perspective of Healthcare Staff: A Case Study of Masih Daneshvari Hospital
title_sort drivers and barriers of medical tourism development in public hospitals from the perspective of healthcare staff a case study of masih daneshvari hospital
topic medical tourism
drivers
barriers
masih daneshvari hospital
healthcare staff
url http://jhosp.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6693-en.pdf
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