Analysis of factors influencing patient decision-making about a medical tour

Globalization and the integration of the economic, political and informational space have led to changes in the tourism industry. Medical tourism as a promising area of modern healthcare, which has a high growth rate due not only to the social demand of modern society, but also to the competitive economic activity of the state, which includes not only medical institutions, advanced equipment and highly qualified specialists, but also a wide variety of business sectors such as insurance, banking, legal support, communications, transport. The authors consider a list of factors that allow the medical tourist to form a comprehensive understanding of the chosen medical tour, its affordability and the risk of additional financial expenses, the quality and safety of medical services, the possibility or absence of documentation support, the presence or absence of a language barrier, the likelihood of catamnestic monitoring and remote consultations, etc. and their impact on the development of the industry as a whole. The article highlights the factors of formation of the perceived value of a medical tour, differentiated by the level of management from federal to corporate. The development of medical tourism contributes to the revival of the medical services market, increased competition, and, as a result, improved quality of medical care.