The Incorporation of Telemedicine With Medical Tourism: A Study of Consequences

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-3-2009

School

Management

Abstract

This article examines the impact of the complementary use of telemedicine before and after a medical tour upon medical tourist satisfaction. It concludes that the integration of telemedicine technologies into the medial tourism system offer a unique opportunity for medical service providers to increase patient satisfaction and loyalty. The research establishes that remote consultations before the medical tour facilitate in generating more realistic expectations in the minds of the patients, thus minimizing the perception- expectation gap. However, this does not necessarily lead to higher levels of patient satisfaction. Likewise, remote consultations held following the medical tour assist in minimizing cognitive dissonance, redressing patient complaints, and boosting service loyalty. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Journal of Hospitality and Leisure Marketing

Volume

18

Issue

5

First Page

512

Last Page

522

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