Designing a Conceptual Model for the development of health tourism in the country: A Grounded Theory Approach

Introduction: the purpose of this research is to identify the main components and dimensions of health tourism development in the country and to present a model using a qualitative method based on the Grounded Theory approach.Methods: In terms of purpose, this research is fundamental, and in terms of nature, it falls under the category of qualitative research (Grounded Theory). Regarding the results, it is part of exploratory studies. The statistical population under study consists of eleven experts.The tool for collecting research data is interviews, and the selection of research participants was conducted using the purposeful sampling method. For data analysis, the method of content analysis was employed, based on open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.Results: Based on the results obtained, the development of health tourism in the country is influenced by causal conditions (quality of healthcare services, cost, credibility of medical services, health accommodation services, tourism services, and transportation), contextual reasons (natural, social, legal, and political factors), intervening factors (organizational, insurance affairs, banking affairs, and informal and underground activities), a central category (health tourism development), strategies (advertising, government support for the private sector, health tourism training, HIS development, consultation and relationship development, infrastructure development, and creating tourist loyalty and trust), and consequences (improving the quality of life, economic development, promotion of community culture, and environmental development). Conclusion: It is expected that the conceptual model presented in this research will serve as a suitable roadmap for the development of the country's health tourism industry.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health tourism ، qualitative research ، Grounded theory ، content analysis