HEALTH INTERVENTIONS SOUGHT BY AFGHAN MEDICAL TOURISTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This research study explained the Afghan medical tourists’ doctor choosing behavior in Pakistani context. Moreover, the study aimed to examine the factors which influence the medical tourists’ behavior in choosing doctors at Pakistani hospitals, and the role played in their doctor choice, by perceived image of destination’s health and social wellbeing attributes. The study was designed quantitatively, and executed through a cross-sectional survey method. The random sampling technique was applied on the total population of 2463, and sample size 344 was achieved by application of Yamane’s formula. However, the population was comprised of those medical tourists who visited to five private hospitals of Islamabad city in the whole month of July 2023. The sample size was comprised of both genders, out of them 42.2 percent were first-time visitors, while 57.8 percent were repeated visitors. The data was collected through interview schedule in the waiting areas of five private hospitals at Islamabad city. However, the findings presented, the doctor’s ability to accurately identify disease, his/her qualification, the use of modern medical technology, and confidentiality of patients’ health profile as the most influential factors. While the least influential factors were, the amount of waiting time, and cost factors. However, the perceived image of health attributes, like advance medical technology use and existence of qualified doctors at hospitals played strong role in respondents’ doctor choice. while the perceived image of transparency in service charges and staff behavior, played moderate role. Furthermore, the perceived image of safety at destination city, played very probable role, while the perceived behavior of accommodation and transportation service providers, played moderate role in respondents’ doctor choice. The future studies can extend population to more than one-month time frame, five hospitals, and one city.