The Inquiry of International Standards for Medical Tourism: A Case Study into Hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Authors

1 Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Scienc-es, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Health Education, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

4 Health Service Management Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

5 Students’ Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6 Hospital Management Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

7 Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

8 Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry that has provided special opportunities to gain competitive advantage over international health organizations. This study aimed to investigate the quality requirements based on Joint Commission International (JCI) for medical tourism in selected hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study that was conducted at three educational hospitals operated by Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The data were collected through the last updated checklists (translation of the standards of JCI, comprising 13 axial) completed by the researcher. Data analysis was done using descriptive and analytical tests including frequency, standard deviation and T- Test by means of SPSS 19.0.

Results: Studied hospitals met 76.8% of organization-oriented standards plus 75.4% of patient-oriented standards. There were two patient-oriented standards, namely access to care and its continuity 87.2% alongside anesthesia and surgery care 86.6% which were met at the highest level. On the other side, organization-oriented standard of leadership and guidance 69.2% was the item met at the least.

Conclusion: It seems that studied hospitals are ready to attract medical tourists by the advantage of service quality. Moreover, it is necessary to give attention to the strengths and improve the weaknesses concerning quality of services. Criteria on service charges, waited time and etc, should be scientifically analyzed and reviewed as well.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 April 2014
  • Revise Date: 24 May 2014
  • Accept Date: 30 May 2014
  • First Publish Date: 01 June 2014

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