Analysis of Barriers to Medical Tourism Development (Case Study: District 6 of Tehran)

Medical tourism is always referred to as the travel of tourists in order to benefit from medical services to other countries. In recent years, especially in developing countries, medical tourism has become an important trade. Medical tourism in countries has generated economic income, expanded GDP, increased employment, prevented brain drain, and improved infrastructure. Iran also has significant capacities in this field due to the cheapness of its medical services compared to other countries, the existence of specialized and modern medical forces. However, the existence of problems and issues such as poor planning, managerial weaknesses and other factors have caused medical tourism in Iran is not in a good position. (Case study: District 6 of Tehran) is discussed. The statistical population of the present study consists of all experts, staff and professors of the University of Medicine and Tourism. The sample size was determined based on the Cochran model of 40 opinions. The results were evaluated based on mean test and binomial test in SPSS software. The results showed that in general, economic and infrastructural barriers play a greater role in the lack of development of medical tourism in District 6 of Tehran and political barriers also play the least role in the development of medical tourism in District 6 of Tehran