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

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 ۲۰۱۳. The data were collected through the last updated checklists (translation of the standards of JCI, comprising ۱۳ 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 ۱۹.۰. Results: Studied hospitals met ۷۶.۸% of organization-oriented standards plus ۷۵.۴% of patient-oriented standards. There were two patient-oriented standards, namely access to care and its continuity ۸۷.۲% alongside anesthesia and surgery care ۸۶.۶% which were met at the highest level. On the other side, organization-oriented standard of leadership and guidance ۶۹.۲% 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:

Quality of health care , Travel , Medical tourism , JCI , Hospitals , Iran