Determinants of medical tourism considering a geographical model: a case study of Iran

Background: Medical Tourism has received significant attention worldwide as the most remarkable phenomenon in the tourism industry. Medical Tourism was considered a medical tourist’s behavior concerning the push/pull factors and three fundamental flows to assess the BTD model (Birthplace-Transportation-Destination). The present study aimed to unearth determinable factors of medical tourism based on a geographical model named BTD in Iran. Methods: Firstly, with ۳۰۱ respondents and ۱۱ expert judges, after literature review, item building, and some assessments, the primary checklist leads to ۴۹ items. Two next steps, some processes were common, including sample-to-item ratio (۱۰.۱۲, ۱۰.۲۴), the Cronbach's alpha (over ۰.۸۱, ۰.۸۵-۰.۹۶), Bartlett's Test (both were significant), and KMO (۰.۸۹۶, ۰.۹۱۵). Finally, EFA in the first study and PCA in the second study were assessed and reported. In the third study, to check multicollinearity, the VIF (۱.۸۰۹-۲.۹۱۷), AVE (۰.۵۰-۰.۵۵), and CR (۰.۵۹-۰.۶۸) were calculated. Then, AVE was compared with SIC. Ultimately, SEM was conducted that the ۳-factor model, especially without the Mahalanobis distance, indicates better results. The study is developed in five cities called Khorasan, Tabriz, Tehran, Fars, and Isfahan. Results: Regardless of cost, other significant factors were recognized, including birthplace-related factors, transportation-related factors, and destination-related factors. Conclusion: As can be seen, the construction and the push/pull factors surveyed to assess the BTD model covering all main flows were well defined. Meaningful statistical relationships support the internal and external validity of the multidimensional construct. Therefore, present results are functional for interested sectors, and researchers must not disregard the market.