Potential factors affecting medical tourist's viewpoint about service quality in Shiraz, Iran

Recently medical tourism as a new form of tourism has gained great popularity among the countries and a relatively large part of the world income is devoted to it. Since the high quality of service in the medical tourist's viewpoint has been a key factor in attracting and retaining them, the present study aimed to demonstrate which variables could affect the medical tourist's perspective about service quality.
We applied univariate analysis and multiple regression to explore the variables affecting medical tourists’ viewpoint about service quality they received. In order to measure thequality of service, we used SERVQUAL scale based on a gap model.
Findings: The findings showed nationality and type of therapy are the influential factors that affect patient's perspective.
Understanding the demographic characteristics of medical tourists helps the authorities to make better decisions and change their strategies in offering services in order to raise medical tourist's attraction and trust and also develop this type of industry.