Usage Behavior of Medical Services in Thailand among Medical Tourists from the Middle-East Region: Perception of Medical Service Providers

Abstract

This research aims to explore the Middle-East tourists’ uses of medical services in Thailand,focusing particularly on the emerging problems in medical services and solutions. In-depth
interviews were conducted with 17 respondents composing of the entrepreneurs of the hospitals and medical tourism businesses. As perceived by medical service providers, the findings revealed
that the Middle-east tourists can be divided into six groups, including medical tourists who were self-paid, royal house-related, state-insured, private-insured, self-insured, and diplomatic.
Their symptoms were mostly complicated and chronic, and specifically need special cares and treatments, e.g. bone diseases, diabetes-related diseases, heart diseases, and cancers. The
respondents selected the hospital based on its reputation and specializations, physician’s expertise, reasonable medical expenses, medical reports, advices from related agencies and/or
Arabic interpreters. The study revealed problems concerning the medical services in Thailand, including the medical service providers’ lack of understanding in the religion and cultures
practiced by the Middle-east people, over-estimated medical costs, lack of proficiency and skills in Arabic language among translators, and lack of government’s policies to support the hospital
entrepreneurs’ actual needs and problems.