FACTORS INFLUENCING CHINESE MEDICAL TOURISTS' SATISFACTION WITH MEDICAL SERVICES IN THAILAND

Abstract

Medical tourism is a new worldwide niche market, which generates apparent economic benefits. Chinese medical tourists are a significant consumer group in the medical tourism industry that many countries have begun to explore. This research aims to study the factors motivating mainland Chinese medical tourists to seek healthcare in Thailand and to assess their satisfaction with the medical services they received in this country. This research adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings indicate that the key factors motivating mainland Chinese medical tourists to travel to Thailand to receive in medical services include recommendations and media advertisements, national policies, access, not long waiting list, and high medical quality. Overall, most of the Chinese medical tourists were satisfied with their medical experiences in Thailand. The determinants influencing Chinese medical tourists' satisfaction include medical quality, care services, the therapeutic environment, and costs. The key findings of this study are anticipated to help operators of medical tourism and medical service providers in Thailand to understand the demand and intentions of Chinese medical tourists and to strengthen competitive advantages in the medical tourism industry.