Drivers of Healthcare Globalisation and Their Effects on Medical Tourism

Authors

  • H. Omer Tontus Public Hospitals Administration of Turkey, Emergency Health Services and Foreign Health Departments Ministry of Health
  • Saniye Nebioglu Public Hospitals Administration of Turkey, Healthcare Services Department Ministry of Health

Keywords:

Globalisation, Medical Tourism, Drivers, Factors

Abstract

Globalisation has intensified in many parts of the world, becoming an important challenge for public health institutions and policymakers. Although many studies have been conducted on the role of globalization in healthcare, no consensus has been reached on its effects. In this commentary, we attempt to evaluate the drivers of healthcare globalization and their effect on medical tourism destination selection. The focus of the commentary is the effects of globalization on patients, whose primary purpose is to travel for planned treatment for health reasons. People from developed countries look for alternative healthcare services and travel to developing countries for cost-effective medical care. Factors which foster medical tourism include demographic changes, remodeling of the healthcare industry, modern technological changes and advanced medical practices, including cost and quality considerations. This commentary presents a list of key factors related to globalization and their effects on medical tourism.

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Published

2018-06-02

How to Cite

Tontus, H. O. and Nebioglu, S. (2018) “Drivers of Healthcare Globalisation and Their Effects on Medical Tourism”, e-Review of Tourism Research, 15(2/3). Available at: https://ertr-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/ertr/article/view/212 (Accessed: 28 March 2024).

Issue

Section

Commentary