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Key Clinical Message: Gastric outlet obstruction can be a dangerous complication of intragastric balloons, as it can result in severe metabolic alkalosis. As weight loss procedures and medical tourism become more popular, physicians should have a high index of suspicion for complications of invasive procedures, particularly in returning travelers. Intragastric balloons for weight loss have decreased in frequency in the United States. However, they are still frequent in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Severe complications occur in less than 3% of patients who undergo this procedure. Herein, we present a case of gastric outlet obstruction, severe metabolic alkalosis, and refeeding syndrome in a patient returning from the Dominican Republic. She presented with 2 weeks of emesis and obstipation, followed by a pre‐syncope and altered mental status. An intragastric mass was observed on computerized tomography, which was characterized as an intragastric balloon and retrieved endoscopically. All metabolic derangements were corrected, and the patient improved without sequelae. As weight loss procedures and medical tourism become more popular, physicians should have a high index of suspicion for complications of invasive procedures, particularly in returning travelers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quality assessments are being introduced in many countries to improve the quality of care and maintain acceptable quality levels. In South Korea, various quality assessments are being conducted to improve the quality of care, but there is insufficient evidence on intensive care units (ICUs). This study aims to evaluate the impact of ICU quality assessments on the structural indicators in medical institutions and the resulting in-hospital mortality of patients. Methods: This study used data collected in the 2nd and 3rd ICU quality assessments in 2017 and 2019. A total of 72,879 patients admitted to ICUs were included during this period, with 265 institutions that received both assessments. As for structural indicators, changes in medical personnel and equipment were assessed, and in-hospital deaths were evaluated as patient outcomes. To evaluate the association between medical staff and in-hospital mortality, a generalized estimating equation model was performed considering both hospital and patient variables. Results: Compared to the second quality evaluation, the number of intensivist physicians and experienced nurses increased in the third quality evaluation; however, there was still a gap in the workforce depending on the type of medical institution. Among all ICU patients admitted during the evaluation period, 12.0% of patients died in the hospital. In-hospital mortality decreased at the 3rd assessment, and hospitals employing intensivist physicians were associated with reduced in-hospital deaths. In addition, an increase in the number of experienced nurses was associated with a decrease in in-hospital mortality, while an increase in the nurse-to-bed ratio increased mortality. Conclusions: ICU quality assessments improved overall structural indicators, but the gap between medical institutions has not improved and interventions are required to bridge this gap. In addition, it is important to maintain skilled medical personnel to bring about better results for patients, and various efforts should be considered. This requires continuous monitoring and further research on long-term effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International medical travel or medical tourism is not a new phenomenon in many countries, including among Indonesians. Indonesia is reported as a major source of patients from the lower, middle, to upper classes for its neighbouring countries. This scoping review aims to synthesise evidence on supporting factors for Indonesians taking medical tourism and what needs to be improved in Indonesia's health system. Methods: We conducted a scoping review guided by a framework provided by Arksey and O'Malley. We systematically searched existing literature from 5 databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Wiley. Data were extracted based on study details, study design, characteristics of participants and results. Analysis followed the three-stage procedure outlined by Thomas and Harden: (1) coding the text line by line, interpreting the data and identifying concepts or themes; (2) developing descriptive themes by grouping similar concepts in theme and subtheme and (3) generating analytical themes by reviewing preliminary themes and discussing the addition or revision of themes. Results: A total of 25 articles were included in this review. The review highlights a broad range of facilitators for medical tourism among Indonesians: (i) availability of health services, medical specialities, and person-centred care, (ii) region adjacency, transport, and health agency, (iii) affordability of medical treatment, (iv) religious and socio-cultural factors, and (v) reasons patients reported distrust in Indonesian doctors. Conclusion: The findings indicate improvements in the Indonesian health system are necessary if the increasing rates of international medical tourism by Indonesian people are to change. Addressing the factors identified in this scoping review through avenues including policy may increase people's satisfaction and trust towards health care and treatment in Indonesia, thereby reducing the number of Indonesian people taking medical tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In response to the aging population, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks to expand access to evidence-based practices which support community-dwelling older persons such as the Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE) program. GRACE is a multidisciplinary care model which provides home-based geriatric evaluation and management for older Veterans residing within a 20-mile drive radius from the hospital. We sought to expand the geographic reach of VA-GRACE by developing a hybrid-virtual home visit (TeleGRACE). Objectives: The objectives were to: (1) describe challenges encountered and solutions implemented during the iterative, pre-implementation program development process; and (2) illustrate potential successes of the program with two case examples. Design: Quality improvement project with longitudinal qualitative data collection. Program Description: The hybrid-virtual home visit involved a telehealth technician travelling to patients' homes and connecting virtually to VA-GRACE team members who participated remotely. Approach & Participants: We collected multiple data streams throughout program development: TeleGRACE staff periodic reflections, fieldnotes, and team meeting notes; and VA-GRACE team member interviews. Key Results: The five program domains that required attention and problem-solving were: telehealth connectivity and equipment, virtual physical examination, protocols and procedures, staff training, and team integration. For each domain, we describe several challenges and solutions. An example from the virtual physical examination domain: several iterations were required to identify the combination of telehealth stethoscope with dedicated headphones that allowed remote nurse practitioners to hear heart and lung sounds. The two cases illustrate how this hybrid-virtual home visit model provided care for patients who would not otherwise have received timely healthcare services. Conclusions: These results provide a blueprint to translate an in-person home-based geriatrics program into a hybrid-virtual model and support the feasibility of using hybrid-virtual home visits to expand access to comprehensive geriatric evaluation and ongoing care for high-risk, community-dwelling older persons who reside geographically distant from the primary VA facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earnings from the tourism industry not only contribute to the expansion of an area's or nation's economy, but also result in the development of new jobs across a variety of industries, the accumulation of foreign currency, and the upgrading of economic infrastructure over the longer term. The purpose of this research is to investigate how income from tourism and inflation rates affect the pace of economic expansion in nations located in the Balkan region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania). The Balkans, the region of dynamic developments, diversity of lifestyles, rich historical heritage and authentic culture from ancient civilizations to the present, has various tourism potentials such as sea tourism, mountain tourism, cultural tourism, rural tourism, health tourism and ecotourism. The research covers the years 2005-2020 and includes data on the variables that impact economic development in the nations that make up the Balkan region. Since there were significant gaps in Kosovo's data, the country was excluded from the research. Panel data analysis was used in the research to investigate macroeconomic variables such as foreign tourism revenues and inflation rates in these nations. Both of these factors are related to tourism. In the research that was conducted using a panel analysis method, the conclusive analysis wasn't begun until after the appropriate assumption tests had been carried out. It has been determined, via the use of the Driscoll-Kraay technique of estimating, whether or not these factors have an effect on economic growth. Based on the data that was collected as a result of the investigation, it was determined that the expansion of the tourism sector in the nations that were chosen from the Balkan region does not have a substantial impact on the overall growth of the economies of these countries. In a similar vein, inflation rates were completely unrelated to growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the call for uniform laws relating to cross-border commercial surrogacy via a multilateral treaty to protect both surrogates and babies. Topics discussed include the history of international fertility tourism with Baby Cotton in Great Britain in 1985 as the first case of commercial surrogacy, reasons for the growth of international commercial surrogacy, and the benefits and challenges relating to international commercial surrogacy.

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the directions of health tourism development in Czechia. The purpose of the study is the subjects of health tourism: well-known rehabilitation centers in Czechia, medical institutions, health resorts. The methodological basis was formed by the following methods: abstract-logical; statistical; expert evaluation; cluster analysis; piecewise linear approximation. Among the most popular regions of Czechia for health tourism, the main places are Prague, Moravian-Silesia, Olomouc, Plzeň, South Moravian and South Bohemian. The increase in the number of patients among residents of the country and foreigners who use health tourism services is studied. The five leaders among the countries that used the services are identified. The main problems and advantages of health tourism in Czechia are identified. The Czech tourism development strategy for 2021-2030 is analyzed and directions for its implementation are proposed. Originality / value: the originality of the study lies in forecasting the directions of health tourism development in Czechia using the method of piecewise linear approximation in the following areas: adults with health insurance; adults at their own expense, children and teenagers, which will increase the volume of income for health tourism institutions in Czechia. According to the forecasting results, the demand for health services will increase by 3% annually. The results of this study can be useful for substantiating the directions of further health tourism development in the country, which will ensure the competitiveness and investment attractiveness of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aim. Based on research results, it has been established that various types of sports games and sports and health tourism are the most popular among schoolchildren and students. Various movements and actions in volleyball have great health benefits. They help strengthen the musculoskeletal system, improve overall metabolism, increase the activity of all organs and systems of all organisms and are a means of active recreation. In the conditions of hiking trip, a particularly important role is played by the high adaptive abilities of the body, based on the reactivity and lability of functional systems. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of volleyball and sports and health tourism on the physical, mental and social health of schoolchildren and students. Material and Methods. The study involved 60 schoolchildren and 60 male students. Schoolchildren and students were divided into two groups (30 people in each group), who were engaged in volleyball and sports and health tourism sections. The study used methods to assess physical, mental and social health; level of satisfaction with quality of life; well-being, activity and mood. Results. The best indicators for physical health among schoolchildren and students were obtained in favor of those involved in sports and health tourism (p<0,05-0,01). The best level of mental and social health was found among students who spent a year studying in sports and health tourism sections (p<0,05-0,01), while schoolchildren, on the contrary, had the best results obtained from those who were involved in team sports. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate that playing sports games (volleyball and basketball) and sports and health tourism have a positive effect on the physical, mental and social health of schoolchildren and students. These studies indicate that school-age children are characterized by team sports, which are more emotional and serve as an effective means of physical education for this age category. Students are more interested in organizing classes in sports and health tourism, which include participation in competitions in various types of tourism and weekend trips held in the fresh air. Thus, it can be stated that the influence of sports games and sports and health tourism on the psychological sphere of schoolchildren and students contributes to positive changes in their psyche, creates a persistent, cheerful, active state, generating positive emotions and ensures increased satisfaction with life in general, which in turn affects the health of children and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and enduring effect on the tourism industry, specifically impacting travel agencies. To respond effectively, it is essential to comprehend the financial repercussions and challenges that these agencies confront. This study seeks to address existing gaps in knowledge by conducting a comprehensive examination of the tourism industry's financial performance in the post-COVID-19 era. Our methodology utilizes a Difference-In-Difference (D-I-D) approach, considering multiple investigations to establish a causal connection between the pandemic and the financial stability of tourism service providers. We analyse changes in the overall financial health of the tourism industry relative to other sectors both before and after the COVID-19 outbreak using Altman Z scores. Furthermore, we assess accounting harmonization across diverse jurisdictions and financial frameworks (IFRS, US GAAP, Czech GAAP, German HGB). Data is sourced from 11 multinational corporations in the tourism sector, supplemented with financial data from sectors such as Automotive, Manufacturing, Food and beverage, and Real Estate. Our empirical findings indicate that non-tourism entities experienced a 19% lower likelihood of bankruptcy post-COVID-19. This finding underscores the uniqueness of the tourism industry's challenges during the pandemic. In addition to these findings, we provide practical recommendations designed to assist companies in the tourism industry as they navigate the recovery phase following the pandemic. These insights are pivotal in enabling the industry to build resilient strategies and ensure its sustainability in a post-pandemic landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to incorporate the international health insurance model/models for a symbiotic benefits to medical tourists and health insurance companies. This study is based on the extensive analysis of articles published regarding health insurance for tourists and medical tourism. Objective of study is "to adopt the health insurance models for growth of health insurance premium and medical tourism in India". Content analysis has been adopted in this study. Literature confirms that the influx of medical tourism is positively related with growth of health insurance, when innovative model/models of health insurance are incorporated strategically for the medical tourists in India. According to the study results, adoption and implementation of international based model/models of health insurance for medical tourists is a trigger point for the growth of health insurance fund in India and it changes the perception of medical tourists towards India as economical destination in case of medical emergencies. The scope of study is to recognize international health insurance model/models in digitalized era for the growth of health insurance premium and medical tourism in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Functional nutrition is a concept of nutritional science for which it has been proven to have special health effects, so the constant innovation of functional products contributes to the development of the modern food industry. The paper examines the influence of the addition of Inulin HPX on the sensory quality of bread in order to obtain a new functional product that can improve the nutrition of the population, as well as the catering offer of the destination. Different proportions of Inulin HPX in the amount of 0%, 7.5% and 15% were used for the production of bread dough, as a substitute for part of the flour in the basic raw materials. The goal of the research was to analyze the impact of the functional component Inulin HPX on the sensory (volume, texture, color, smell and taste) and nutritional properties of bread, as well as the acceptance of the new functional product by consumers through a demand survey in the territory of the city of Kotor, Montenegro. Based on the test results, the bread with the functional component of 7.5% Inulin HPX has the best sensory characteristics and a high level of acceptance by consumers. This pilot study can serve as a basis for the marketing of a new functional product on the market of Montenegro intended for consumers who care about healthy lifestyles. One of the conclusions is that it can be a part of improving the menu of restaurants that promote healthy food, but also catering establishments within the framework of wellness and health tourism in Montenegro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of health tourists' expectations and satisfaction on regional feelings of trust was examined. In line with the purpose of the research, the sample of the research consists of 178 patients whose structure was determined by simple random sampling method among the patients who were in the institution to receive health services. The data were analyzed with the SPSS program. Of the 178 tourists who participated in the research, 52.8 percent were women and 47.2 percent were men. According to the age variable, 41.6 percent of the tourists were between the ages of 18-30, 36.5 percent were between the ages of 31-45, and 21.9 percent were aged 46 and over. When the educational status of the tourists was examined, it was determined that 42.7 percent were primary school graduates, 14.6 percent were high school graduates, 33.1 percent were university graduates, and 9.6 percent were master's and doctorate graduates. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that meeting the expectations and satisfaction of the participating health tourists had a statistically significant and positive effect on the sense of regional trust. In line with these results, as patients' expectations are met and their satisfaction increases, their trust in the region and country also increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research examines the dynamic field of health tourism, with an emphasis on the contribution of female entrepreneurs. It highlights the convergence of wellness and medical tourism offerings within the sector and the possibilities for expansion in European and Romanian contexts. Personal achievement, market potential, and societal contributions are significant driving forces for women engaging in this field. The necessity for deliberate support and the establishment of policies sensitive to gender issues to create a welcoming and varied space for women in health tourism is acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering Iran's potential in medical tourism and being located in one of the world's most competitive health tourism regions, the present study aims to Identify and prioritize strategies for developing medical tourism in the country. The study relied on a mixed research method. In the qualitative part, solutions for Iran's medical tourism development were identified by interviewing activists and experts. The collected data were analyzed through the thematic analysis method. This process revealed four dimensions and 18 strategies. In the quantitative part, a questionnaire was developed, and experts in the Iranian medical tourism industry prioritized the identified dimensions and strategies. The analysis of the data through the best-worst method clarified that, from the perspective of the practitioners, dimensions of medical tourism development in Iran were: "marketing," "applying information and communication technologies," "human resources development," and "reinforcing infrastructures.". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical tourism industry is currently viewed as one of the lucrative sources of income for some countries and in essence, owes much of its reputation and success to private hospitals and the Internet (Connell, 2006). However, how these private hospitals discursively present themselves to prospective health tourists in order to entice them to use their medical services rather than their rivals' still remains under-researched. Following the ESP genre school, this study seeks to explore the "About Us" sections of private hospitals' websites and aims to see how such sections are rhetorically designed and constructed. Using Bhatia's (1993, 2004) move structures for promotional texts, this study examines the rhetorical structure of the constituent webpages of the "About Us" sections of forty-one Malaysian private hospitals' websites. Our study demonstrates how Malaysian private hospitals utilize a number of cognitive structures to present and promote themselves in their "About Us" sections. Our findings are, in general, beneficial for the private hospitals in Malaysia or elsewhere in the world, and in particular, are helpful for novice medical website designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose. The purpose of the article is to present the course of the research and development process, from the creation of the concept of a new method of using therapeutic sulfide water and determining a new direction of treatment, through the various stages of research and commercial implementation of the health tourism product. Method. The study was carried out using the comparative method, on 150 people, the research hypotheses were formulated and verified. Findings: The results of the study formed the basis for a therapeutic program implemented on the market. Research and conclusions limitations. Limitations in research and inference stemmed from project implementation guidelines, time constraints, and EU funding regulations. Practical implications. The results of the research were implemented in market as SDR - Sulfide Reduction Diet Originality. The results of the research have been patented as two inventions and a trademark. The article focuses on aspects of creating a health tourism product, the cooperation of the scientific community, business environment institutions and entrepreneurs. The process of identifying needs and creating a health tourism product corresponding to current market trends. The issues are presented in the context of marketing activities, branding and promotion of healthy lifestyles. Type of paper. This publication is part of the research and development project N o. RPSW.01.02.00-26-0014/18 titled: 'Research and development work on the use of sulfide water in weight reduction therapy'1 implemented under the Regional Operational Program of the Świętokrzyskie Province for 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund and was conducted at Hotel BRISTOL* ART & Medical SPA in Busko-Zdrój. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research examines the dynamism of health tourism, with an emphasis on the contribution of segmentation, differentiation, and communication of entrepreneurs. It highlights the convergence of health tourism entrepreneurs' behavior into the best opportunities to gain profit and create a brand in the healthcare market. Organizational culture, worldwide trends and changes, and an open mind for a collaborative relationship entrepreneur-employer are significant driving forces in this field. The necessity for deliberate support in listening to customers' voices is a goal of market researchers in health tourism acknowledgment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aesthetic medicine merges art and medical sciences, focusing on the modification and enhancement of physical appearance through surgical and non-surgical procedures. While it is not globally recognized as a medical specialty, aesthetic medicine has become a cornerstone of medical tourism in several Asian countries, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Despite its popularity, there is notable gap in literature concerning its ethical and regulatory perspective. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of existing regulations and ethical considerations in aesthetic medicine within the context of the selected Asian countries. Given the field's growth and its potential impact on both domestic and international health practices, this study is significant for healthcare providers, policymakers, and consumers alike. By identifying areas for improvement in current regulatory frameworks, the paper advocates for further examination to ensure that stakeholder rights and well-being are adequately protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research has established the application of social media in tourism and hospitality in light of the growing importance of social media in both travelers' decision-making and tourism operations and management. Despite the increasing use of social media marketing as an avenue to inform, educate and answer queries to international patients through articles, blog posts and podcasts, there is little empirical evidence for the effect of social media marketing influencing medical tourists destination choice and revisit intentions. This study addresses these issues by providing empirical support, suggesting that social media communication play crucial role in promoting India as a medical tourist destination. Exploratory qualitative (semi-structured personal interviews) and quantitative (self report survey) methods were employed to test the formulated hypotheses. Results show that social media advertising has a significant influence on media tourists' destination choices and decisions. The results provided strong evidence that social media content has significant impact on medical tourists' cognitive, affective and behavioral attitudes towards Indian medical tourism as destination and revisit intentions. Theoretical and managerial implications of the research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tourism industry in India has not received due attention both in macro policy formulation and research. The present study attempts to analyze the trend and pattern of domestic tourism based on the unit-level data of NSSO ab. Y adopting Bai-Perron test and trend analysis. Medical tourism, a vital tourism component in India, has shown comparatively higher growth over the years, but especially after 2006, a lower growth rate and the COVID-19 pandemic accentuated this trend. Wide disparity could be seen among the states and socio- economic groups in India. A higher share of health and medical tourists was visible among the vulnerable group. The marginalized groups like old age groups, tourists from rural areas, SC/ST groups, the lowest MPCE group, and disabled persons had a higher chance to report medical tourism compared to their counterparts. As against the findings of the previous studies, the present study confirms a comparatively higher participation of vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of health and medical tourism is a multifaceted and intricate field. Nevertheless, it is a swiftly expanding global industry with considerable economic prospects. This sector involves the exchange of services, blending two of the world's major domains: healthcare and tourism. This research aims to evaluate the strengths of medical tourism service providers in the Central Macedonia Region while shedding light on various challenges that could impede the sector's growth. Additionally, it investigates crucial sustainability factors and opportunities within the Greek medical tourism industry that can effectively address obstacles, both domestic and international, to enhance sustainable medical services. The study delves into the reasons why the Central Macedonia Region can attract both local and international medical travelers seeking healthcare solutions. With this aim in mind, both Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and primary quantitative research methods were employed. The SLR aimed to locate pertinent scientific literature, which, when integrated with the outcomes of the quantitative research, facilitated the analysis, description, and interpretation of data for the formulation of conclusive findings. In brief, this article aims to contribute scientific value by engaging in interdisciplinary research and demonstrating originality through innovative approaches to sustainable development. It seeks to make a significant contribution to the field by presenting practical strategies and insights that strike a balance between the economic advantages of medical tourism and the crucial considerations of environmental and social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the characteristics of markets segmented by the push–pull factors associated with medical tourists. The questionnaire sought information on attributes of medical tourism motivations and included eight push factor attributes, 10 pull factor attributes, and 13 demographic and medical tourism behavior variables, for a total of 31 items. The surveys were translated into Chinese, Japanese, and English. This paper proposes a market segmentation that consists of three significant segments, the quality seeker, the essential services seeker, and the rest seeker. The results indicate that these segments have strategic implications for reaching individual markets in the medical tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationships between motivation, service quality, tourist satisfaction, quality of life (QOL), and spa and wellness tourism. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM) approach was used to analyze the hypotheses generated. The 'snowball' sampling technique was used to collect data via an online survey. Derived from a sample of 270 Chinese respondents, the results demonstrate that motivations positively impact service quality perception and tourist satisfaction, which in turn influence QOL. The tourists who perceived good spa and wellness services quality are more likely to be satisfied with their tourism experience. Furthermore, tourist satisfaction mediates the relationship between service quality and the QOL resulting from spa and wellness tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to examine the wellness that tourists wanted to fulfill through wellness tourism and identify the relationship between tourists' perceived value and their future behavioral intentions. To perform this study, residents aged 20 or older living in Seoul who are interested in wellness tourism were surveyed, and a total of 401 valid responses were used for analyses. The findings suggest that particular attributes of wellness tourism had a positive relationship with 'emotional value' except 'physical wellness'. Also, a positive relationship was observed between utilitarian value, epistemic value, and all particular attributes of wellness tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by changing consumer behavior trends, a transitioning economy, unique cultural and historical traditions, in conjunction with a wide‐ranging exposure to health, wellbeing, and holistic approaches to human needs, Thailand is well suited to accelerate its involvement in this niche market. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the traveler's motivations and revisit intentions to Thailand along with seeking further understanding of emerging patterns within health and wellness travel and how Thai massage complements the tourism system. Through structural equation modelling, we searched the relationships between travel cost motivations and perceived autonomy satisfaction, competence satisfaction, and relatedness satisfaction dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health tourism has received increasing attention from academic researchers from a global perspective. Although mainland China (hereafter referred to as "China") has long been recognized as a health tourism destination, its health tourism development is still in its infancy stage. Hence, to minimize the aforementioned gap, the present study explored the perception of health tourism and effective health tourism promotion methods from the perspective of tourists before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. The major findings of this study showed that tourists perceived wellness tourism and medical tourism as critical activities/components after the COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study (a) investigates the perception of medical practitioners regarding medical tourism, and (b) examines the differences in the perception of medical practitioners regarding the importance of the services involved. The hypotheses are focused on a series of comparisons of medical institutions that "are or are not involved in medical tourism." The results showed that (i) professionalism of treatment is recognized as the most important factor regardless of the nature and value of the medical treatment provided while a patient travels; and that (ii) there are no significant differences in surgery, treatment, examination, in‐hospital and patient room costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study revealed two different sets of push and pull factors affecting the medical travel decision process of two groups of mainland Chinese to Hong Kong, including potential and experienced medical tourists. The relations between identified factors and their willingness of personal visit and recommendation were also investigated. Regarding the recommendation intention, interpersonal acquisition and personal needs satisfaction are mostly considered by travelers in psychological level while recognized high medical reception capacity and quality are also prioritized in the pull aspect. However, local medical service constraints, perceived quality of medical experience shaped by healthcare suppliers, and destination attributes determine the two groups' responses to personal visit intention. Besides, the advantages of developing medical tourism in Hong Kong are implicated as can‐be‐perceived unique cultural attribute, mass tourism fame as medical tourism development basis, and reputation for high‐quality care formed with unintentional or deliberate promotion from third parties and various marketing channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study endeavors to delve into the intricacies of tourist contentment and proclivities in the realm of ecological health tourism activities within Bama, Guangxi. An exploration of the intricate structural relationships is undertaken, unraveling the quintet of variables encompassing tourists' engagement in Bama's ecological health tourism - namely, the effects of activities, the experiential facet of activities, the pecuniary dimension of activities, coupled with tourist satisfaction and behavioral intent. Employing the methodological framework of constructing a structural equation model, this study leverages IBM SPSS 23.0 software to execute correlation analyses across various variables, including demographic information statistics, reliability and validity metrics. Survey research orbits around the quintet of variables. The findings illuminate that the experiential tapestry woven by tourists partaking in ecological health tourism activities exerts a conspicuously affirmative influence on both their satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Conversely, the financial investment made by tourists in ecological health tourism activities manifests a counteractive impact on their satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Evidently, heightened tourist activity experiences and diminished costs conduce to the facilitation of tourists' aspirations for individualistic tourism activities, thereby enhancing travel satisfaction and behavioral intent. Nevertheless, the potency of tourists' activity effects on tourist satisfaction remains suboptimal. Consequently, it is proffered that the propagation of health care paradigms be fortified, coupled with the augmentation of activity experience design. Further, the optimization of cost structures and the enhancement of resource utilization efficiency are recommended, alongside ameliorating activity effects and steering behavioral intent. This comprehensive approach is anticipated to immerse tourists more profoundly into the local ethos of longevity culture, thereby fostering the robust and sustainable evolution of longevity tourism in Bama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Study addresses the issue of an implementation, in a crisis situation, of an organisational innovation in the form of transformation of tourism and medical activities of Polish health tourism companies into crisis support centres for the health care system. Design/methodology/approach: The COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult period for the tourism market, but by adopting the form of a natural experiment (Messer 2016) it allowed tourism enterprises to develop and implement new organisational solutions. Findings: The research note shows the key conclusions from the research conducted in Polish health resorts in the period 2018-2021. Originality/value: The article has practical value by showing solutions developed during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the potential for promoting wellness tourism in Muang District, Chachoengsao Province in Thailand. The study examines the government's support for wellness tourism in the area, as well as private businesses that offer wellness tourism services. The research identifies two main types of wellness tourism in the district: physical and spiritual. The government policy supports both types of wellness tourism, and the area has the necessary infrastructure and attractions to attract tourists. The findings suggest that promoting wellness tourism can boost tourism numbers and revenue for businesses in the district. [Extracted from the article]

Medical tourism is a rapidly growing sector, and could become a major driver of tourism in Greece. This research examines the status quo and the potential of medical tourism on the island of Crete, Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to February 2022, with the administration of questionnaires. The study involved the participation of 97 hotel managers from four- and five-star hotels, 515 doctors representing various specialties, and 890 medical tourists. Hotel managers overwhelmingly (90+%) believe that medical tourism can significantly contribute to the domestic economy, as well as that the domestic market is ready for the provision of medical tourism services on a larger scale, while more than 70% of the tourists asked would be interested in travelling to Greece to receive medical treatment. IVF, eye surgery, and dental services are the ones that would interest tourists the most, which are also aligned with the services commonly provided by the doctors questioned. Thus, according to the perspectives of doctors, hotel managers, and tourists, medical tourism has the capacity to grow significantly and contribute to the development of the Greek economy. The government should assume a supportive role, facilitating medical tourism processes by addressing the administrative, financial, and promotional aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Taiwan Journal of Publich Health / Taiwan Gong Gong Wei Sheng Za Zhi is the property of Taiwan Public Health Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Humanities & Tourism Research (JoHUT) is the property of Journal of Humanities & Tourism Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Aim: The tourism industry plays a very important role in the economic cycle of society. Medical tourism, as one of the types of tourism industries, has a direct result in globalizing health care. Therefore, by strengthening the supply chain in this area, a very high added value can be achieved. For this reason, the present study provides a conceptual framework for predicting the demand for medical tourism supply chain by determining the relationship between medical tourism demand and economic, medical, and welfare-service components of Zahedan city. Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical and applied research. Data were collected using a questionnaire and field and library methods. The statistical population of interest was specialist doctors in Zahedan city, and 97 people were selected using simple random sampling with Morgan’s table. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and its reliability was obtained using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient with SPSS software more than 0.7. Data analysis was performed using the tangent sigmoid neural network algorithm, linear regression criteria, and mean square error. For this purpose, SPSS software was used to examine the correlation between the data, and MATLAB software was used to design the neural network. Results: There was anerrore in The basis for the optimality of the answers, linear regression criteria and mean square error. The results showed that the values related to regression, education, and health were more than 0.8 and were 0.9033, 0.8818, and 0.9985, respectively. The highest priorities of the respondents related to medical equipment, education, and health were 0.5657, 0.5558, and 0.20726, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results obtained from the proposed model, the neural network has a high accuracy in predicting the demand for medical tourism supply chain in terms of education, health, and welfare. It is also predicted that the demand for medical tourism has been constant during the one-year period of research and it is expected that medical tourism in Zahedan city will decrease in future. Therefore, it is recommended that officials pay attention to the development and improvement of medical tourism to promote it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transferring pregnant women out of their communities for childbirth continues to affect Inuit women living in Nunavik—Inuit territory in Northern Quebec. With estimates of maternal evacuation rates in the region between 14% and 33%, we examine how to support culturally safe birth for Inuit families when birth must take place away from home. Methods: A participatory research approach explored perceptions of Inuit families and their perinatal healthcare providers in Montreal for culturally safe birth, or "birth in a good way" in the context of evacuation, using fuzzy cognitive mapping. We used thematic analysis, fuzzy transitive closure, and an application of Harris' discourse analysis to analyze the maps and synthesize the findings into policy and practice recommendations. Results: Eighteen maps authored by 8 Inuit and 24 service providers in Montreal generated 17 recommendations related to culturally safe birth in the context of evacuation. Family presence, financial assistance, patient and family engagement, and staff training featured prominently in participant visions. Participants also highlighted the need for culturally adapted services, with provision of traditional foods and the presence of Inuit perinatal care providers. Stakeholder engagement in the research resulted in dissemination of the findings to Inuit national organizations and implementation of several immediate improvements in the cultural safety of flyout births to Montreal. Conclusions: The findings point toward the need for culturally adapted, family‐centered, and Inuit‐led services to support birth that is as culturally safe as possible when evacuation is indicated. Application of these recommendations has the potential to benefit Inuit maternal, infant, and family wellness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and purpose: This research aims to evaluate the amount of medical tourism from Sistan and Baluchistan to Pakistan and analyze and explain the causes, contexts, and spatial distribution of medical tourists' travel. Design/methodology/approach: This applied research was conducted with a descriptive-analytical method. The data tvas collected with a simple random sampling method and a researcher-made questionnaire from 400 samples (in 14 counties) and analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis, Kendall-Tao c. Lambda, and Chi-Two statistical inference models. Findings: Half of the households declared that one or more members of their family had made at least one medical tourism trip to Pakistan. The northern cities of the province have not had medical tourists to Pakistan, but about 20 to 80 percent of the families in the middle and southern cities of the province have gone to Pakistan for medical tourism. Conclusion: The purpose of half of the tourists tvas only treatment, and the other half tvas treatment, visiting relatives, and tourism. Business people have visited Pakistan for medical tourism more than government employees. Moreover, 42% of tourists considered cultural similarity, 44% ease of transportation, and 43% i low cost of medical services influencing their travel decision. Originality/value: The originality of this study is focused on three areas: first, the subject of medical tourism to Pakistan has not been studied so far; second, medical tourism has not been studied at the origin of the trip; and third, the population of a province (as the target community) has not been considered in i previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses coupled coordination, spatial autocorrelation, and grey correlation analysis to examine the degree, trends, and spatial distribution of health tourism industry integration in Guangdong Province, China, to explore the relevant factors affecting its development, and to summarize the mechanisms and paths of such integration. Results show that (1) the overall development trend of convergence of the health tourism industry in Guangdong Province is generally positive, and the health and tourism industries are in a benign coupling state of mutual promotion; (2) the convergence of the health tourism industry in Guangdong Province shows obvious local spatial agglomeration characteristics, and the spatial distribution pattern of cold hot spots of industrial coupling coordination shows the characteristics of "cold in the north and hot in the south" and "cold in the east and west, hot in the middle;" (3) among those factors affecting the convergence of health tourism industry in Guangdong Province, market demand exerts the greatest influence, followed by human resources, technological innovation, government support, and basic transportation; and (4) in the convergence mechanism of the health tourism industry in Guangdong Province, demand is the endogenous driving force, talent cultivation and technological innovation are the sustained supporting forces, and government support is the external driving force. Some suggestions are put forward to promote the convergence of the health and tourism industries and to provide a reference for the global health tourism industry to achieve high-quality convergence and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of International Civilization Studies is the property of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Academica Turistica is the property of University of Primorska, Faculty of Tourism Studies - Turistica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the post-COVID-19 era of green economic recovery, this paper analyses the elderly care environment of cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region and investigates the future development direction of the elderly care industry based on comparative advantages and resource endowment. Firstly, an evaluation index system of the elderly care environment is constructed, then the entropy weight method is used to calculate the weight, and finally the comprehensive evaluation index of the elderly care environment in each city is obtained by weighted calculation. The development directions of the elderly care industry for each city in the YRD region are proposed based on the results. The study shows that the suitable development direction of the elderly care industry differs among cities. Cities suitable for residential elderly care are mainly distributed in the central and western regions, cities fit for the leisure and tourism of elderly care are mainly located in the southeast, and cities suitable for the treatment and rehabilitation of elderly care are mainly provincial capitals and cities with better economic development levels. Additionally, Wenzhou City in Zhejiang Province is eligible for the development of a comprehensive elderly care industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is a fast-growing sector, and medical tourism is no exception. The increasing Muslim population has led to Muslim-friendly medical tourism being intensified by Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. This can be seen from the large number of Muslim tourists who seek Muslimfriendly services for medical tourism, so hospitality management is important. The method of this research is a systematic literature review, which comes from several internationally reputable papers in Scopus and rankings in Scimago. This shows that the quality of medical tourism papers has gone through a rigorous selection process. The results of this study indicate that medical tourism has many enthusiasts. Furthermore, technological readiness is needed for the effectiveness of medical tourism promotion because it can reach the whole world. Medical tourism facilities, distance, and culture in the destination country are considered by medical tourism tourists in making decisions. This research can be useful for medical tourism service providers to further improve services and for the government to improve infrastructure in the medical tourism sector in order to attract foreign tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is a dearth of research regarding the motivations and experiences of Omani nationals who travel abroad for medical treatment, especially for neurological diseases. The primary objective was to examine and draw comparisons between Omani adults and children with neurological disorders who pursued medical treatment abroad after being evaluated by local specialists. The study also aimed to gain insights into these patients’ motivations and experiences. A related objective was to explore the sociocultural factors and family dynamics that shape the attitudes towards illness and treatment seeking. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Omani patients treated at a major tertiary hospital in Muscat for neurological disorders and subsequently traveled overseas for treatment were identified and administered a structured questionnaire. Results: The participants were 116 Omani nationals (62 children and 54 adults) with neurological disorders, diagnosed predominantly with epilepsy (71.6%) followed by developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, and encephalopathy. Only 19.8% of patients received government sponsorship. The majority (69.8%) followed the recommendations of family members. Most (63.8%) participants reported positive outcomes after treatment abroad, though 4.3% developed complications and 5.2% acquired nosocomial infections. Most (83.6%) participants opined that the treatment they received overseas was comparable to what they would have received in Oman. There were no significant differences between children and adults in most of these aspects. Conclusions: Public awareness should be increased regarding the pros and cons of medical tourism. Patients must be made aware of the advanced treatment facilities available locally. Efforts should be made to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction by adopting more efficient and patient-friendly processes.

IntroductionMedical tourism has grown significantly, raising critical concerns about the privacy of medical tourists. This study investigates privacy issues in medical tourism from a game theoretic perspective, focusing on how stakeholders’ strategies impact privacy protection.MethodsWe employed an evolutionary game model to explore the interactions between medical institutions, medical tourists, and government departments. The model identifies stable strategies that stakeholders may adopt to protect the privacy of medical tourists.ResultsTwo primary stable strategies were identified, with E6(1,0,1) emerging as the optimal strategy. This strategy involves active protection measures by medical institutions, the decision by tourists to forgo accountability, and strict supervision by government departments. The evolution of the system’s strategy is significantly influenced by the government’s penalty intensity, subsidies, incentives, and the compensatory measures of medical institutions.DiscussionThe findings suggest that medical institutions are quick to make decisions favoring privacy protection, while medical tourists tend to follow learning and conformity. Government strategy remains consistent, with increased subsidies and penalties encouraging medical institutions towards proactive privacy protection strategies. We recommend policies to enhance privacy protection in medical tourism, contributing to the industry’s sustainable growth.

Introduction: Health tourism is an organized trip from one's living environment to another place, which is done in order to maintain, improve and regain physical and mental health. The purpose of this research was to identify the most important factors affecting medical tourism in Iran. Methods: This was a fundamental study that was conducted in two phases. The first phase consisted of two steps. The first step was to perform a systematic review with the keyword of "MEDICAL TOURISM" on Web of Science and select 434 articles, and the second step was to perform a scientometric analysis on these articles using VOSviewer software. The second phase consisted of three steps. The first step was a systematic review with some keywords, including "MEDICAL TOURISM" and "medical tourism" on foreign and domestic databases and selecting 63 articles. The second step was to perform a content analysis on the selected articles using Nvivo software and identify the components affecting medical tourism in the world. The third step was the implementation of a Delphi method using a Likert scale with the aim of identifying the most important factors affecting medical tourism in Iran from the point of view of academic experts. Results: The first phase showed that the scope of research on the topic of medical tourism in the world had an upward trend from 1975 to 2020, and the countries of America, Canada, Malaysia, South Korea and Iran were the top 5 countries in this field. In the second phase, 46 factors affecting medical tourism in the world were identified, and after summarizing the opinions of experts, 39 indicators were determined as indicators affecting medical tourism in Iran. Conclusion: Considering the high number and variety of factors affecting medical tourism in Iran, the development of this industry in the country requires extensive intra- and inter-sectorial coordination. Corresponding Author: Mohammad Dehghani Mahmoudabadi View Orcid in Profile You can search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Profile

Abstract Background Nowadays, virtual methods are among the most important and influential marketing instruments in various industries, such as medical tourism. This study aims to investigate the quality of Iranian hospitals’ web pages and their association with the province’s share of the medical tourism industry in Iran and the ownership type of hospitals. Methods In this analytical cross-sectional study, the quality of hospitals’ websites was investigated through a 36-item self-administered questionnaire which was validated, and its reliability was verified (Cronbach’s alpha = 74%.). The questionnaire was categorized into three sections: hospital services and facilities, hospital’s medical tourism-related services, and tourism information of the destination province. The census method was used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using the independent t-test and analysis of variance in SPSS software (version 25), and a P-value