Determinants of Bangladeshi patients' decision-making process and satisfaction toward medical tourism in India

Bibliographic Data

ID22080265
AuthorsMuhammad Zakaria (0000-0001-5270-2694, Wayne State University), Muhammad Aminul Islam (Wayne State University), Md Khadimul Islam (0000-0001-9788-5113, Wayne State University), Aklima Begum (0000-0002-0480-6533), Nahida Akter Poly (Daffodil International University), Feng Cheng (0000-0001-9563-1734, Vanke (China), corresponding author), Junfang Xu (0000-0001-9133-8960, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1137929-1137929
Publication date2023-05-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1137929
PMID37200988
OpenAlexW4367853907
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited50

Objectives The aims are to explore the factors influencing Bangladeshi patients' decision-making process and their satisfaction level toward medical tourism in India. Methods The study used a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected from the patients or their relatives ( N = 388) who would have decided to travel to India for medical and treatment purposes at the Chittagong Indian visa center (IVAC). Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested, and facilitator-administered questionnaire, which mainly included the social demographic characteristics, health status, medical tourism information and medical tourism index. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to explore the factors influencing their satisfaction level toward medical tourism in India. Results More than three-fourths of the participants had visited India for self-treatment. Of the participants, 14% were cardiology patients, and 13% suffered from cancer. The relatives were the key source of information regarding medical tourism for more than one-fourth of the respondents. India's availability of well-experienced doctors, hospital/medical facilities with high standards, well-trained doctors, reputable doctors, and quality treatments and medical materials were top-ranked items. Regression results depict that facility and services appeared as the strongest factor (β = 0.24, t = 4.71, p < 0.001) followed by tourism destination factor (β = 0.16, t = 3.11, p = 0.002), medical tourism costs factor (β = 0.16, t = 3.24, p = 0.001) and country environment factor (β = 0.15, t = 2.69, p = 0.007). Conclusions We found that the factor related to facility and services is one of the strongest predictors in our models. Therefore, home countries must strengthen the health care providers' advanced professional training, including service attitudes. Moreover, it is important to lessen the language barrier, reduce the airfare for medical tourists, and make the treatment cost more affordable for patients

Cross-sectional study · Facilitator · Family medicine · Geography · Medical tourism · Tourism · Customer Service Quality and Loyalty · Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism · Medicine · Psychology · Travel-related health issues