Evaluating the internal relations between medical tourism enablers using interpretive structural modeling (ISM)

Among the different aspects of tourism, health tourism and its subcategories (wellness tourism, curative tourism and medical tourism) have higher capabilities and competitive advantages. Regarding the advantages and benefits of medical tourism compared to other types, and also the potential in Iran in this area, this paper is going to provide a comprehensive framework for identification and investigation of direct and indirect factors affecting the medical tourism development in Iran. So, by reviewing the literature and using expert opinion, the medical tourism enablers in Iran are identified and then sorted by the Interpretative Structure Method (ISM). The population of the study consists of member of health tourism counsel. Survey and interview are the tools used to gather the data. 15 enablers were identified as the most important enablers in the medical tourism in Iran. The enabler of national healthcare policy, and then, transparent legal frameworks, top management commitment, and competent medical and paramedical staff are the major enablers in the modeling of Iranian medical tourism development which should be considered seriously by relevant managers. The results may help policy makers to make more intelligent decisions and take more appropriate ways of development of the medical tourism in Iran.