Can Inbound and Domestic Medical Tourism Improve Your Bottom Line? Identifying the Potential of a U.S. Tourism Market

    Authors

    M. D. Fottler; D. Malvey; Y. Asi; S. Kirchner;N. A. Warren

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Healthc. Manag.

    Keywords

    Health Policy & Services

    Abstract

    In large part due to current economic conditions and the political uncertainties of healthcare reform legislation, hospitals need to identify new sources of revenue. Two potentially untapped sources are inbound (international) and domestic (within the United States) medical tourists. This case study uses data from a large, urban healthcare system in the southeastern United States to quantify its potential market opportunities for medical tourism. The data were mined from electronic health records, and descriptive frequency analysis was used to provide a preliminary market assessment. This approach permits healthcare systems to move beyond anecdotal information and assess the relative market potential of their particular geographic area and the diagnostic services they offer for attracting inbound and domestic medical tourists. Implications for healthcare executives and guidance on how they can focus marketing efforts are discussed.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Healthcare Management

    Volume

    59

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    49

    Last Page

    63

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000341276800009

    ISSN

    1096-9012

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