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Choi S. Examining the Use of Offshore Online Gambling Sites in the United States via Routine Activities Theory: A SEM Analysis. J Gambl Stud 2024; 40:83-106. [PMID: 37150774 PMCID: PMC10164417 DOI: 10.1007/s10899-023-10212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite the recent proliferation of legal online gambling in the Unites States, offshore gambling sites still remain prevalent, causing various problems in the U.S. Although numerous law violations occur in this domain, prior research has reported limited information about offshore gambling, mostly focusing on offshore gamblers' characteristics and motivations. Using routine activities theory, this study attempted to understand environmental and theoretical factors that affect the use of offshore sites by focusing on offshore gambling-generating contexts that involve offshore sites and online casino reviews. Major findings show that the online visibility of offshore sites may be a key predictor of the use of the sites by U.S. players. In addition, online casino reviews providing a blacklist of online gambling sites served as informal guardians, helping players avoid unreliable offshore gambling sites that pose a risk to their customers. Policy implications were suggested based on the findings and provided insights toward effective online gambling regulatory efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinyong Choi
- Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Kennesaw State University, 402 Bartow Ave MB#2204, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA.
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2
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Nelson LM, Spencer H, Hijane K, Thinuan P, Nelson CW, Vincent AJ, Gordon CM, Plant TM, Fazeli PK. My 28 Days - a global digital women's health initiative for evaluation and management of secondary amenorrhea: case report and literature review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1227253. [PMID: 37772077 PMCID: PMC10523024 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1227253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a need to close the gap between knowledge and action in health care. Effective care requires a convenient and reliable distribution process. As global internet and mobile communication increase capacity, innovative approaches to digital health education platforms and care delivery are feasible. We report the case of a young African woman who developed acute secondary amenorrhea at age 18. Subsequently, she experienced a 10-year delay in the diagnosis of the underlying cause. A global digital medical hub focused on women's health and secondary amenorrhea could reduce the chance of such mismanagement. Such a hub would establish more efficient information integration and exchange processes to better serve patients, family caregivers, health care providers, and investigators. Here, we show proof of concept for a global digital medical hub for women's health. First, we describe the physiological control systems that govern the normal menstrual cycle, and review the pathophysiology and management of secondary amenorrhea. The symptom may lead to broad and profound health implications for the patient and extended family members. In specific situations, there may be significant morbidity related to estradiol deficiency: (1) reduced bone mineral density, 2) cardiovascular disease, and 3) cognitive decline. Using primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) as the paradigm condition, the Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation has been able to address the specific global educational needs of these women. The Foundation did this by creating a professionally managed Facebook group specifically for these women. POI most commonly presents with secondary amenorrhea. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of conducting a natural history study on secondary amenorrhea with international reach to be coordinated by a global digital medical hub. Such an approach takes full advantage of internet and mobile device communication systems. We refer to this global digital women's health initiative as My 28 Days®.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence M. Nelson
- Digital Women's Health Initiative, Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation, Tysons, VA, United States
| | - Hillary Spencer
- Digital Women's Health Initiative, Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation, Tysons, VA, United States
| | - Karima Hijane
- Digital Women's Health Initiative, Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation, Tysons, VA, United States
| | - Payom Thinuan
- Faculty of Nursing, Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon, Lampang, Thailand
| | - Chaninan W. Nelson
- Digital Women's Health Initiative, Mary Elizabeth Conover Foundation, Tysons, VA, United States
| | - Amanda J. Vincent
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Catherine M. Gordon
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tony M. Plant
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Pouneh K. Fazeli
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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3
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Shafii M, Madadizadeh F, Askari R, Zarezadeh M, Mohamad Abdoli A, Bahariniya S. Investigating medical tourism development indicators in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute: A cross-sectional study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2023; 20:1039-1046. [PMID: 36819203 PMCID: PMC9928976 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v20i12.12565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Payingspecial attention to the development indicators of medical tourism (MT) can lead to the further development of this industry and tourists' satisfaction. Objective This study aimed to investigate MT development indicators in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Research Institute, Yazd, Iran in 2021. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, 430 medical tourists referred to the Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Yazd, Iran in 2021 were studied. A researcher-made questionnaire with 46 questions and 10 dimensions was used in both internal and external environments to collect data. The Spearman correlation coefficient was also used to assess the correlation between the quantitative factors. Results The reliability and validity of the scale were confirmed. The mean ± SD of the advertising and marketing index scored was lower than the other internal environmental indices (15.05 ± 2.16). Also, the economic factors and tourism infrastructure were lower than the other external environmental factors (9.8 ± 1.99, 8.53 ± 2.11, respectively). Conclusion Given the importance of MT, top managers and relevant authorities should pay close attention to the criteria of advertising, marketing, and tourism infrastructure. MT demand can be improved by increasing the importance of advertising, implementing realistic advertising strategies, and developing adequate urban infrastructure and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Shafii
- Department of Health Services Management, Health Policy and Management Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Farzan Madadizadeh
- Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Roohollah Askari
- Department of Health Services Management, Health Policy and Management Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Zarezadeh
- Department of Health Services Management, Health Policy and Management Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Mohamad Abdoli
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Sajjad Bahariniya
- Department of Health Services Management, Health Policy and Management Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Skin Rejuvenation with Cultured Melanocyte and Fibroblasts in a Medical Tourism Patient. World J Plast Surg 2022; 11:116-121. [PMID: 36694683 PMCID: PMC9840759 DOI: 10.52547/wjps.11.3.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Liv A. Enjeux éthiques à mieux définir le tourisme médical et ses protagonistes au Québec. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS 2022. [DOI: 10.7202/1087213ar] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Jiang L, Wu H, Song Y. Diversified demand for health tourism matters: From a perspective of the intra-industry trade. Soc Sci Med 2021; 293:114630. [PMID: 34954675 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies on health tourism were limited to a small range of topics related to medical tourism. At present, the concept of health tourism has become profound because medical care has been altered from "disease-centered" to "health-centered". The main purpose of this study is to identify the key factors influencing the development of health tourism in China. To this end, in the first stage, an intra-industry trade theory was introduced and quantitative methods were applied to discover the important factors. In the second stage, multiple sources, including empirical studies, official data, research reports, and notably field investigations and case studies were incorporated to take in-depth discussions. The results indicated the foremost factors affecting the health tourism trade were total health expenditure per capita and the number of domestic health consumers. Notably, health tourism was substantially determined by the "willingness to spend on health" of domestic health consumers. In addition, Chinese health tourists were more likely to positively accept health tourism services in China. An important conclusion is that China should diversify health tourism offerings for different consumer groups. Once diversified products for health tourism are provided, the number of health tourism consumers will soar accordingly, which thus contributes to forming economies of scale, lowering the average costs of health treatment, increasing health tourism profit, and stimulating economic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jiang
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
| | - Huazhang Wu
- School of Health Management, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Yang Song
- School of Medical Humanities, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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Kirby J. An Ethics-Informed, Comparative Analysis of Uterus Transplantation and Gestational Surrogacy for Uterine Factor Infertility in High-Income Countries. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2021; 18:417-427. [PMID: 34383286 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-021-10114-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Interest in the future, clinical implementation of uterus transplantation for uterine factor infertility was recently boosted by the demonstration of proof-of-concept for deceased uterus donation/transplantation. The ethical dimensions of living and deceased uterus transplantation are explored and addressed in the paper through their comparison to the ethical elements of an existing, legal, assisted reproduction practice in some high-income countries, i.e., gestational surrogacy. A set of six ethics lenses is used in the comparative analysis: reproductive autonomy and rights, informed choice/consent, relevant critical relational theories, health equity, theoretical application of the accepted living donation standard, and comparative benefits and burdens considerations. Gestational surrogacy, as currently practiced in some high-income countries, is the assumed, theoretical base-threshold for determination of ethical acceptability in assisted reproduction practices. The analysis demonstrates that (at the present time): 1) the ethical acceptability of living uterus donation/transplantation is less than that of gestational surrogacy in high-income countries, and 2) the ethical acceptability of deceased uterus donation/transplantation is roughly equivalent to that of gestational surrogacy. This leads to the conclusion that, at the present time, only one version of uterus transplantation practice, i.e., deceased uterus transplantation, should be considered ethically acceptable for possible clinical implementation in high-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Kirby
- Department of Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, C-315 - 5849 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4H7, Canada.
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8
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Abstract
Background: Today, medical tourism is a growing phenomenon in the healthcare industry, especially among developing countries. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the Iranian medical tourism industry with selected countries. Methods: This comparative study was conducted in 2020. Data were gathered from databases, including PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Magiran, SID, and websites of the World Tourism Association, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Health of the selected countries from 2000 to 2020. A researcher-made checklist was used to collect data. Selected countries were compared in terms of the status of tourism and travel competitiveness, governance and policy-making status, the status of the medical tourism industry, and medical tourism infrastructure Results: The main difference between the selected countries and Iran lies in the organizational structure of the main stakeholders of the tourism industry. In other countries, this industry is organized and supervised by specific coordination bodies. In terms of tourism and travel competitiveness, Singapore, with a global rank of 17, was better than other countries. Based on the status of the medical tourism industry, Costa Rica ranked 7th in the world, and Singapore, the UAE (Dubai), Turkey, UAE (Abu Dhabi), Jordan, and Iran ranked 15, 22, 27, 31 35, and 41, respectively. In Iran, all indicators of medical tourism infrastructure were lower than those of other countries except for competitive prices. Conclusions: Considering a low rank of Iran in all the studied components, the organizational integration structure of the medical tourism industry and increasing competitiveness can help the development of this industry in Iran.
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Bulatovic I, Iankova K. Barriers to Medical Tourism Development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18031365. [PMID: 33540935 PMCID: PMC7908472 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Medical tourism is a thriving industry. Many destinations now seek to attract more medical tourists. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is no exception. As one of the most important pillars of the UAE’s economy, tourism is considered a high priority. However, medical tourism in the UAE is still developing. This paper addresses the main challenges for medical tourism in the UAE and proposes methods to enhance its development. This research utilized qualitative analysis. Twelve professionals in medical tourism were interviewed to provide data. The data were then analyzed using NVivo 12 software. Our results indicate that the key barriers to medical tourism development in the UAE are high costs of medical tourism services, lack of marketing activities, lack of collaboration between medical and tourism service providers, and so forth. Although initiatives from the UAE government are very encouraging, more efficient medical care supply networks, tourism suppliers and intermediaries should be established to ensure its growth. This research could influence national tourism policies in the UAE as well as regional alliances in all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.
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10
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Dental tourists: treat, re-treat or do not treat? Br Dent J 2021; 230:73-76. [PMID: 33483660 DOI: 10.1038/s41415-020-2591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Many UK patients in the search for their perfect smile have now decided to have their dental treatment abroad, the main reasons being that they believe they can have the same treatment but at a much lower price. With many overseas clinics offering treatment packages that also include a holiday, dental tourism seems an opportunity not to be missed. Although not always the case, some treatments unfortunately do not go to plan, often leaving distraught patients and their apprehensive dentists in a difficult situation. This article will discuss the reasons behind dental tourism and if the health system has contributed to the increasing demand for dental tourism. We will touch on the impact dental tourism has had on UK dentistry and if the NHS should be responsible for handling the consequences of any failed or incomplete dental treatment carried out abroad. It will also put the spotlight on dentists' responsibilities and to what extent they should treat these patients, as these cases can leave clinicians in primary and secondary care in a challenging predicament, not only clinically but also ethically and medico-legally.
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11
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Xu T, Wang W, Du J. An Integrative Review of Patients' Experience in the Medical Tourism. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing 2020; 57:46958020926762. [PMID: 32513038 PMCID: PMC7285947 DOI: 10.1177/0046958020926762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medical tourism has emerged as an industry due to the constantly improved information technology and decreasing cost for transportation. Evidence on how medical tourists develop their medical travel and their experience keeps growing. This article aims to provide an integrative review to understand medical tourism from the patients' perspective. PRISMA procedures were followed. All the literature was published from January 1, 2009, to May 4, 2019, in peer-reviewed journals in CINAHL and MEDLINE/PubMed. Johns Hopkins Nursing evidence level and quality guide were used to evaluate evidence level. Twenty-one studies including 8 quantitative, 10 qualitative, and 3 mix-method studies were reviewed. Low cost, short waiting list, quality, and procedures available were the motivators to treatment abroad. The Internet, former tourists' testimonial, and physician and facilitators' advice were the predominant resources consulted. Perceived value of medical quality directly affected patients' overall satisfaction. Our integrative review has led to the identification of many factors related to medical tourist's experience. We suggest further empirical researches on (1) the patients' decision-making process of motivators and barriers, (2) the factors related to patients' experience on the health care quality, and (3) the strategies to ensure the continuity of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuzhen Xu
- Texas Woman's University, Houston, USA
| | | | - Jinlan Du
- Texas Woman's University, Houston, USA
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12
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Ridde V, Aho J, Ndao EM, Benoit M, Hanley J, Lagrange S, Fillol A, Raynault MF, Cloos P. Unmet healthcare needs among migrants without medical insurance in Montreal, Canada. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:1603-1616. [PMID: 32459571 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1771396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
While access to healthcare for permanent residents in Canada is well known, this is not the case for migrants without healthcare coverage. This is the first large-scale study that examines the unmet healthcare needs of migrants without healthcare coverage in Montreal. 806 participants were recruited: 436 in the community and 370 at the NGO clinic. Proportions of individuals reporting unmet healthcare needs were similar (68.4% vs. 69.8%). The main reason invoked for these unmet needs was lacking money (80.6%). Situations of not working or studying, not having had enough food in the past 12 months, not having a medical prescription to get medication and having had a workplace injury were all significantly associated with higher odds of having unmet healthcare needs. Unmet healthcare needs were more frequent among migrants without healthcare coverage than among recent immigrants or the citizens with health healthcare coverage (69%, 26%, 16%). Canada must take measures to enable these individuals to have access to healthcare according to their needs in order to reduce the risk of worsening their health status, something that may have an impact on the healthcare system and population health. The Government of Quebec announced that all individuals without any healthcare coverage will have access to COVID-19 related health care. We hope that this right, the application of which is not yet obvious, can continue after the pandemic for all health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valéry Ridde
- IRD (French Institute For Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université de Paris), ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Joséphine Aho
- University of Montreal School of Public Health, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Magalie Benoit
- University of Montreal School of Public Health, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jill Hanley
- School of Social Work, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Solène Lagrange
- University of Montreal School of Public Health, Montreal, Canada
| | - Amandine Fillol
- IRD (French Institute For Research on sustainable Development), CEPED (IRD-Université de Paris), ERL INSERM SAGESUD, Dakar, Senegal.,University of Montreal School of Public Health, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marie-France Raynault
- University of Montreal School of Public Health, Montreal, Canada.,Centre de recherche Léa Roback sur les inégalités sociales de santé de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Patrick Cloos
- University of Montreal School of Public Health, Montreal, Canada.,Centre de recherche en santé publique, Montréal, Canada
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Virani A, Wellstead AM, Howlett M. Where is the policy? A bibliometric analysis of the state of policy research on medical tourism. Glob Health Res Policy 2020; 5:19. [PMID: 32391438 PMCID: PMC7201815 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-020-00147-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is imperative that researchers studying medical tourism connect their work with policy, so that its real-world challenges can be better understood, and more effectively addressed. This article gauges the scope and evolution of policy thinking in medical tourism research through a bibliometric review of published academic literature, to establish the extent to which researchers apply public policy theories and frameworks in their investigation of medical tourism, or consider the policy imperatives of their work. Methods A Boolean search of the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection was performed to identify policy-related publications on medical tourism. We analyzed the results using bibliometrics and a data visualization software called VOSviewer to identify patterns in knowledge production and underlying network linkages in policy research on the subject. Results Our findings suggest that only a small proportion of medical tourism research explicitly addresses policy issues or applies policy paradigms in their study approach. Field-specialized journals serving practitioners publish less research as compared to interdisciplinary social and health policy journals. Moreover, there are significant geographical and disciplinary disparities in the policy-orientation of research, and a predilection towards select policy areas such as reproductive and transplant tourism to the neglect of more holistic governance and health system considerations. Conclusion This article is a call to action for greater engagement by policy scholars on medical tourism, and for health researchers to more explicitly consider how their research might contribute to the understanding and resolution of contemporary policy challenges of medical tourism. Failure to clearly and consistently make the policy connection is a lost opportunity for researchers to frame the public debate, and influence policy thinking on medical tourism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altaf Virani
- 1Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 469C Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 259772 Singapore
| | - Adam M Wellstead
- 2Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, USA
| | - Michael Howlett
- 3Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia Canada
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Virani A, Wellstead AM, Howlett M. The north-south policy divide in transnational healthcare: a comparative review of policy research on medical tourism in source and destination countries. Global Health 2020; 16:37. [PMID: 32321561 PMCID: PMC7178960 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00566-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical tourism occupies different spaces within national policy frameworks depending on which side of the transnational paradigm countries belong to, and how they seek to leverage it towards their developmental goals. This article draws attention to this policy divide in transnational healthcare through a comparative bibliometric review of policy research on medical tourism in select source (Canada, United States and United Kingdom) and destination countries (Mexico, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore), using a systematic search of the Web of Science (WoS) database and review of grey literature. We assess cross-national differences in policy and policy research on medical tourism against contextual policy landscapes and challenges, and examine the convergence between research and policy. Our findings indicate major disparities in development agendas and national policy concerns, both between and among source and destination countries. Further, we find that research on medical tourism does not always address prevailing policy challenges, just as the policy discourse oftentimes neglects relevant policy research on the subject. Based on our review, we highlight the limited application of theoretical policy paradigms in current medical tourism research and make the case for a comparative policy research agenda for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altaf Virani
- Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, 469C Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 259772, Singapore.
| | - Adam M Wellstead
- Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, USA
| | - Michael Howlett
- Department of Political Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Zander N, Dukart J, van den Berg N, Augustin J. Identifying Determinants for Traveled Distance and Bypassing in Outpatient Care: A Scoping Review. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing 2019; 56:46958019865434. [PMID: 31375038 PMCID: PMC6681267 DOI: 10.1177/0046958019865434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The outpatient sector represents a growing share of health care. This review examines how patients choose their physician for continuous outpatient care and why they are willing to bypass the nearest physician. It was conducted according to the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Three databases (PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and Ovid Medline) were searched, focusing on articles in which distance influenced the choice of physician. In all, 1,308 articles were accessed, and 17 selected for final review. First, we extracted methods for assessing distance traveled and bypassing. Second, we identified determinants that directly influence the traveled distance and transferred all into a conceptual framework. The center of this framework is the individual "willingness-to-go", which reflects the willingness of patients to accept additional distances. Our findings can support studies on patient mobility and physician choice, which are essential for examining both the distribution and use of medical services, as well as for adequate need related planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Zander
- 1 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Germany
| | - Jessica Dukart
- 1 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Germany
| | | | - Jobst Augustin
- 1 University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Germany
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