An Exploratory Study of Factors Influencing Chinese Outbound Medical Tourism

ABSTRACT

China has experienced rapid economic transitions in the past few decades, accumulating high demand for accessible, affordable, and efficient healthcare services both within the country and abroad. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing Chinese mainland outbound medical tourism. Data was derived from interviews with 10 respondents. The thematic analysis qualitative method was employed to identify respondents’ views on the factors influencing Chinese outbound medical tourists to seek medical services. A total of seven themes were identified and classified under two dimensions (quality of medical service and convenience). This study provides empirical evidence regarding the factors influencing Chinese outbound medical tourists by drawing on interviews with potential Chinese medical tourists. The insights and implications derived from the results are discussed.

摘要

在过去的几十年中, 中国经历了快速的经济转型, 对国内外可进入性, 可负担, 高效率的医疗服务需求也在不断增长。本研究的目的是探索中国人选择出境医疗旅游的影响因素。本研究的数据来自对10位受访者的访谈, 进而采用主题分析方法来确定影响受访者选择出境医疗旅游的因素。本文总共确定了七个主题并将其分为两个维度 (医疗服务质量和便利性) 。本研究通过对潜在中国医疗游客的访谈, 为影响中国游客出境医疗的因素提供了证据, 见解和启示。

KEYWORDS:

• China outbound tourism
• healthcare
• factors
• medical tourism

关键词:

• 中国出境旅游
• 医疗卫生保健
• 影响因素
• 医疗旅游

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kei Wei Chia

Kei Wei Chia is Lecturer in School of Marketing and Media at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He completed his Ph.D. in 2017, from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He has authored and coauthored many articles in refereed and professional journals including Tourism Management, Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research and International Journal of Business and Society, Tourism and Hospitality Research. His current research interests are in the area of island tourism, medical tourism, rural tourism, heritage tourism, and sustainable tourism (E-mail: [email protected]).

Yi Ming Liao

Yi Ming Liao was born in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Gannan Normal University. After graduation, she earned her MBA in Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia. She is currently a CEO in one healthcare company registered in Hong Kong SAR, China.