Influencing factors of Medical Tourism

The influencing factors of Medical Tourism include promoting factors and hindering factors.

Promoting factors for the development of Medical Tourism:

One is the difference in medical expenses and the waiting time for treatment. This is the main factor that prompts many foreign patients to seek medical services in developing countries. For instance, Kittikanya's research found that medical costs in Thailand are only half of those in Singapore, one third in Hong Kong, and one fifth in the United States. People who participate in Medical Tourism are willing to enjoy higher-quality, lower-cost and no-waiting non-emergency medical services at the destination.

The second is the improvement of medical service levels and facilities in tourist destinations. Obtaining international Medical institution certification has become an important means to attract high-quality international Medical Tourism practitioners. In this regard, many developing countries are taking the lead.

The third is treatment methods with local characteristics. For instance, traditional Indian medicine such as Ayurveda and yoga, as well as Chinese Medical techniques, have attracted a large number of medical tourists to study, receive medical treatment and take vacations there.

The fourth is the rise of Internet communication technology, the development of health insurance companies and the rapid growth of medical service institutions. These factors have further promoted the development of Medical Tourism.

Scholars have also conducted research on the hindering factors of the development of Medical Tourism. Scholars have found that factors such as the lack of sophisticated and advanced Medical technology, language communication barriers, moral norms constraints, and political instability all restrict the development of Medical Tourism.