2017

See discussions, stats, and author proﬁles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.
net/publication/323990456
Medical tourism in India: current scenario
Article · March 2017
CITATION READS
1 565
2 authors, including:
Mohammad Amiri
Panjab University,
21 PUBLICATIONS 14 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
All content following this page was uploaded by Mohammad Amiri on 24 March 2018.
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded ﬁle.

IJMSS Vol.05 Issue-03, (March, 2017) ISSN: 2321-1784
International Journal in Management and Social Science (Impact Factor- 6.178)
Medical tourism in India: current scenario
1
Mohammad Amiri*, 2Najmeh Safariolyaei
1
Ph.D. Scholar, Centre for Social Work, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
2
Ph.D. Scholar, Psychology Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Abstract
Today, there is a trend of medical tourism in India. Several foreign and domestic tourist patients prefer
Indian states of Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat for taking medical treatment along
with tourism. Nowadays, medical tourism in India is considered to be holding immense potential. Due to
availability of good infrastructure and relatively cheaper (on a global level) medical treatment, there is a
strong growth rate and rapid expansion in this sector, especially driven by foreign patients. Quality
medical expertise and cost effectiveness have made India, one of the sort-after places for medical
tourism. This study paper highlights the major health and medical treatments adopted by foreign tourist
patients. Through this study, an effort has been made to find factors which directly influence the
decision making process of patients and the factors which affect growth and development of medical
tourism sector in India. Efforts have also been made to understand the problems faced by foreign tourist
patients. The result of the study shows that, there is a positive opinion of foreign patients about the
medical and non-medical facilities provided by Indian Hospitals.
Key Words: Health Care system, Medical tourism in India, Marketing of Medical Tourism, Patients,
Treatment methods.
Introduction
The term “Medical Tourism” can be broadly explained as a provision of ‘cost-effective’ private medical
care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of
specialized treatment. This process is being facilitated by the corporate sector involved in medical care
as well as the tourism industry both – private and public. In recent times, medical tourism has emerged
as one of predominant segment of tourism sector. Medical tourism is the fastest growing segment of
Indian tourism sector. Today, it is generating more income and employment opportunities and higher
foreign exchange money also. Medical Tourism by its nature, somewhat different from other segments
of tourism.
Medical or health tourism has become a common form of vacationing and it covers broad spectrum of
medical services. It mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with wellness and health care. The factors
influencing the patients going to different countries for medical treatment or medical procedures differ
from country to country. Medical tourist patients encounter many obstacles/problems during their
treatment period. Several tourist patients from USA, UK and other developed European countries are
seeking medical treatment at a quarter of sometimes even a tenth of the cost at home. From Canada, it
is often those people who are frustrated by long waiting period, from UK, the patients not only wait for
treatment by National Health Service but also they cannot afford physician’s fee in private practice. For
others, becoming a medical tourist is a chance to combine a tropical vacation with medical treatments.
In India, more patients are coming from undeveloped countries like Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal,
Bangladesh etc.; and some other undeveloped African countries and also from some Gulf countries like
Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar etc.; where affordable medical treatment may not be available.
In simple words medical tourism is the activity of travelling to other countries to receive superior
medical treatment/health care facilities at affordable costs, by highly skilled doctors/surgeons.
Significance of the study
A Monthly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories
International Journal in Management and Social Science
http://www.ijmr.net.in email id- irjmss@gmail.com Page 106
Today, in India medical tourism sector is witnessing a sudden paradigm shift in the past some years.
Foreign tourist patients are always searching for high quality health care services at low cost and
excellent customer service in overseas locations. Medical coverage has attracted attention to medical
tourism, while medical travel facilitators have sprung up to help foreign tourist patients to go abroad for
medical treatment. Currently India, Thailand, Malaysia etc. are incorporating medical tourism into their
economic development strategies. The present study is significant with a view to identify the major
health and medical treatment methods adopted by tourist patients and the problems or obstacles faced
by them during their medical treatment period. It is also important to understand the opinions of
foreign tourist patients, regarding legal or technical process in India. This study would be useful to
understand the various factors which directly affect the decision of taking medical treatment in Indian
hospitals. It is also important to understand the opinion of tourist patients regarding the major factors
related to growth and development of Indian medical tourism which would be helpful to policy makers.
Objectives of the study
Considering the significance of the study, the following objectives have been formulated:
i. To identify the major health care treatment methods adopted by foreign tourist patients.
ii. To understand the opinion of foreign tourist patients regarding the influencing factors like cost
of treatment, doctors, staff of hospital and other legal and technical procedure.
iii. To understand the factors which directly affect the decision of foreign tourists related to taking
health care treatment in Indian hospitals.
iv. To identify the major problems faced by foreign tourist patients during their medical treatment
in Indian hospitals.
v. To know the opinion of foreign tourist patients regarding the factors which are very important
for the growth and development of Indian medical tourism sector?
Materials and methods
Research Methodology
The present study is simple and exploratory in nature. Structured interview schedule has been used to
collect primary data from the foreign tourist patients. The survey method has been used for the study
purpose.
Selection of Sample
Sample of 138 foreign tourist patients was selected from Mumbai and Pune metropolitan cities in
Maharashtra state (98 tourist patients from Mumbai and 40 tourist patients from Pune). The
metropolitan cities and foreign tourist patients were selected by using purposive sampling method,
which is based on the guidelines provided by doctors.
Limitations of the Study
i. The present study is limited to highlight the current scenario of Indian medical tourism sector.
ii. The scope of the present study is set only for Mumbai and Pune cities of Maharashtra.
Results and Discussion
The following table indicates the major health care treatment methods adopted by foreign tourist
patients: Table. 1, Health Care treatment methods adopted by foreign tourist patients.
Health care treatment Methods Frequency Percentage
Homeopathy 11 8%
Ayurvedic and Spas 10 7%
Meditation and Yoga 22 16%
Naturopathy 13 9%
Unani 03 2%
Allopathy 79 57%
Total 138 100%
From the above table it is revealed that, majority (57%) of foreign tourist patients have adopted
allopathy treatment method. 16% are attracted towards meditation and yoga and 9% tourist patients
have adopted naturopathy treatment method. 8% and 7% foreign tourist patients have adopted
homeopathy treatment method and ayurvedic and spas respectively. Only 2% tourists have adopted
Unani health care treatment method. In Mumbai and Pune all these health care treatment methods
have been provided by public as well as private sector hospitals such as – Tatas, Fortis, Max, Wockhardt,
Piramal, Apollo and Escorts Group. It is found that, almost all the hospital in Pune and Mumbai (Sancheti
Hospital in Pune and Tatas in Mumbai) are accredited by the national and international accreditation
bodies like QCI, ISO, NABH and JCI.
Table. 2, Opinion of foreign tourist patients regarding the factors like cost, doctors, hospital staff etc;
(Multiple responses)
Opinion Frequency Percentage
Cost of Medical Visa is higher than tourist Visa of India 47 34%
Medical treatment cost is low but other costs are very high in 113 82%
India
Websites of hospitals provide all information pertaining to 97 70%
various health care treatments available in Indian hospitals
Indian doctors are competent to diagnose and for exact health 136 98%
care treatment
Indian hospitals’ staff are efficient 133 96%
Indian hospitals are helpful in getting medical visa and 138 100%
extending the medical visa, as per the health condition of
patient
There is a minimum waiting period for health care treatment 108 78%
India is an easily accessible country for any type of health care 14 83%
treatment
The above table depicts that 34% of tourist patients have opined negatively about the cost of medical
visa of India. In their opinion cost of medical visa is very high. 82% have opined that, other cost like
transportation, accommodation, meals etc are very high. Websites of Indian hospitals provide all the
information related to different health care treatments which is very important for the tourist patients;
was opined by 70% tourist patients. 98% tourist patients have positively opined about the competency
of Indian doctors, and 96% have positively opined about the staff of Indian hospitals. In case of
extending visa for further health care treatment, management of Indian hospitals always helps foreign
tourist patients in the visa extension process, was opined by 100% tourist patients. In the opinion of 78%
tourist patients, there is very short waiting period for getting health care treatment in Indian hospitals,
and 83% tourist patients have opined thatIndia is easily accessible for obtaining different types of health
care treatments. Therefore, it is concluded that, today, Indian hospitals have the most competent
doctors and world class health care facilities with low charges for treatment of certain medical
problems.
Table. 3, Factors directly affecting the decision of foreign tourist patients about taking health care
treatment in Indian hospitals (Multiple responses)
Affecting Factors Frequency Percentage
Online comparison regarding costs of health care 138 100%
treatment and non-medical facilities is possible
There is appropriate accreditation system for Indian 71 51%
hospitals
Availability of good medical insurance system in India 118 86%
Modern medical technology has been adopted by Indian 134 97%
hospitals
There are government initiatives to support hospitals in 98 71%
enhancing health care and medical tourism in India
According to the 100% tourist patients, possibility of online comparison of cost of health care treatment
and other non-medical facility is the most important affecting factor in the decision of taking health care
treatment in Indian hospitals. 51% have opined that due to existence of appropriate accreditation
system for Indian hospitals, they are in favor of getting medical treatment in India. According to 86%
tourist patients, availability of good medical insurance system, they are attracted towards Indian
hospitals for getting health care treatment. Due to adoption of modern medical technology by Indian
hospitals, 97% tourist patients are attracted towards Indian hospitals for their health care or medical
treatments. Indian government takes initiates to support hospitals in enhancing health care and medical
tourism in India, therefore 71% tourist patients are attracted towards Indian hospitals for getting their
medical or health care treatments.
Table. 4, The major factors influencing the growth and development of Indian medical tourism sector
(Multiple Responses)
Influencing factors Frequency Percentage
Adequate lodging facilities for patient’s relatives 117 85%
Availability of expert surgeons/ doctors in case of failure of 138 100%
medical treatment
Good infrastructure, transportation, availability of air 113 82%
ambulance etc.
Initiation of government in promotion of medical tourism 99 72%
Low cost of medical insurance 131 95%
There is a legal provision of protecting tourist patients 71 51%
against the torturing and harassment
Effective advertising related to medical and non-medical 79 57%
services in national and international media
Indian doctors are well experienced with past proven 138 100%
records in effective medical treatments
Availability of post treatment medical assistance system 116 84%
by Indian hospitals
The above table indicates the major factors influencing the growth and development of medical tourism
sector in India. In the opinion of 85% foreign tourist patients, there was adequate lodging facility
provided by Indian hospitals during their stay. 100% foreign tourist patients have opined that, there is a
fast growth and development of medical tourism sector in India due to availability of expert surgeons or
doctors in case of failure of medical treatment and doctors are well experienced with past proven
records in effective medical treatments. Good infrastructure, good transportation facility and availability
of ambulance etc. are the major influencing factors which are leading to growth and development of
medical tourism in India, was opined by 82% foreign tourist patients. In the opinion of 72% patients, due
to government initiation in aggressive promotion of medical tourism, there is a growth and
development in this sector. Apart from these influencing factors, low cost of medical insurance, legal
protection against the torturing and harassment and effective advertising in national as well as
international Medias are also some of the influencing factors, stated by 95%, 72% and 51% foreign
tourist patients respectively. Availability of post treatment medical assistance system by Indian hospitals
is also one of the important influencing factors for growth and development of Indian medical tourism
sector.
Observations
On the basis of primary information collected from foreign tourist patients some observations have
been made, which are as follows:
i) Majority of foreign tourist prefer allopathic health care, meditation and yoga. Very few foreign tourist
patients have opined favourably towards Unani medical treatment method.
ii) It is observed that health care or medical treatment is the latest reason to visit India due to the low
cost of treatments with world class services and quality of health care services, minimum waiting period,
competent doctors/surgeons, higher chances of extending visa in case of further treatment etc.
iii) There are many factors which are influencing the decision of tourist patients regarding taking health
care treatment in Indian hospitals. These factors are - possibility of online comparison regarding cost of
medical treatment and other non-medical facilities, transportation, modern technology, appropriate
accreditation system for hospitals, etc.
iv) It is observed that, foreign patients face several problems related to the language, food, high cost of
transportation and medicine and problem in the context of adequate availability of Indian rupees due to
cancellation of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes.
v) There are also some factors which are directly influencing the growth and development of medical
tourism sector in India. These most important factors are availability of expert surgeons/doctors with
adequate experience, lodging or accommodation facility for patient’s relatives, low cost of medical
insurance and availability of post treatment medical assistance etc.
vi) It is observed that, realising the potentials of this sector, government of India and major corporate
hospitals have approached with professional commitment.
Suggestions
1) Indian medical tourism sector should work closely with the industry chambers and various
government departments to spread the awareness and remove hurdles existing in the development of
this sector.
2) There should be arrangement for proper training to social work students by corporate hospitals with
a view to help foreign tourist patients to remove the problem of language and provide them some other
service through social work students.
3) The joint platform of tourism, health, and aviation and information communication department
should be made for targeting overseas travellers for medical or health care tourism in India.
4) The services of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Naturopathy should be expanded with a view of getting
benefits of Indian ancient wisdom related to health care treatments methods.
5) Classical Ayurveda panchkarma treatment should be highlighted by Health Department of India, for
preventive health care segment.
6) Indian hospitals that want to be centres for health care tourism need to increase their exposure and
be constantly updated on internationally accepted standards of health care service delivery to the
international client.
7) Indian government may introduce a new category of medical visas to promote medical tourism.
References
Singh, N. (2014). HEALTHCARE TOURISM: AN EMERGING CONCEPT. International Journal of
Management Research and Reviews, 4(7), 741. Retrieved from:
http://ijmrr.com/admin/upload_data/journal_Dr.%20Nirmal%20Singh%20%205jul14mrr.pdf
Garg, S. R., & Bhardwaj, A. (2012). Indian medical tourism industry: growth opportunities and
challenges. Multi-Disciplinary Edu Global Quest (Quarterly), 1(1), 115-135. Retrieved from:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042814039597
Khanna, T. (2007). The Rise of Medical Tourism. Harvard Business School Working. Retrieved from:
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/the-rise-of-medical-tourism
Kim, K. H., Yu, J. H., & Lee, C. S. (2014). A Study on Product Empowerment of Medical Tourism Using
Conjoint Analysis. 통상정보연구, 16(3), 307-329.
http://www.dbpia.co.kr/Journal/ArticleDetail/NODE02457651
Piazolo, M., & Zanca, N. A. (2011). Medical tourism: A case study for the USA and India, Germany and
Hungary. Acta Polytechnica Hungarica, 8(1), 137-160. Retrieved from: www.uni-
obuda.hu/journal/Piazolo_Zanca_27.pdf
Rath, S. P., Das, B., Mishra, S. S., & Puthan, P. (2012). New Avenue of Tourism & Revenue Generation in
India–“Medical Tourism”. International Journal of Business and Management Tomorrow, 2(1), 1-14.
Retrieved from: ssjournals.com.md-in-1.webhostbox.net/index.php/ijbar/article/download/125/125
View publication stats

2017

Transféré par

Informations du document

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

2017

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

See discussions, stats, and author proﬁles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

Medical tourism in India: current scenario

Article · March 2017

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded ﬁle.

View publication stats

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi