Identifying and Prioritizing the Factors Affecting the Choice of Medical Tourism Destination

Despite the vast benefits of Iran in the field of medical tourism, the number of tourists entering the country for medical reasons is still negligible. The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize the factors affecting the choice of medical tourism destination.
This was a descriptive study using survey method. The study population consisted of experts familiar with the subject of medical tourism, among which a sample of 12 individuals was selected. A questionnaire was used to measure the importance and priority of the extracted factors influencing the selection of medical tourism destination. Data analysis was performed by utilizing analytical hierarchy process (AHP).
Twenty-four indicators in four dimensions were identified, affecting the choice of medical tourism destination. Among the identified dimensions, the medical technology was more important than the other dimensions.
According to the importance level, the affecting factors on the choice of medical tourism destination are medical technology, staff and treatment process, economic dimensions, and tourism dimensions. Paying attention to these factors and indicators for each of them will increase the attractively of medical tourism to Iran.