Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Health Information Management 1735-7853 9 5 2012 11 21 Potentials of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism in Isfahan: A Qualitative Study* Potentials of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism in Isfahan: A Qualitative Study* 686 696 12138 FA Alireza Jabbari Assistant Professor, Health Care Management, Health Management and Economic Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Zahra Agharahimi MSc Student, Health Services Management, Isfahan University of Medical Science. Isfahan, Iran. (Corresponding Author) Email: Zahra.agharahimi@yahoo.com Zohreh Seid Moradi MSc Student, Health Care Management, Islamic Azad University, Fars Sciences and Research Branch, Fars, Iran Mahbobeh Ferdosi Health Care Management, Imam Musa Kazem Hospital, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2022 03 28 Introduction: Cosmetic surgery tourism, as one of the leading industries in the world, can be the<br />solution to strengthen the health and economic growth. The aim of this study was to identify<br />cosmetic surgery tourism potential in Isfahan.<br />Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2011. Research participants included<br />managers, plastic surgery and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists of cosmetic surgery centers<br />who were selected based on the purposeful sampling. Data collection tool was a semi-structured<br />questionnaire that was developed through interviews and observation in statistics of deputy of<br />treatment of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The framework analysis was used for<br />analyzing the interviews.<br />Results: Seven themes were identified as the key factors related to the potentials of medical<br />tourism in the field of cosmetic surgery: demand potential, environmental potential, human<br />resource potential, infrastructure potential, inter-organizational relationship, competitive<br />conditions and promotion strategies. In terms of the medical tourism demand potential, the<br />majority of the patients were Iranians residing abroad and few of the patients were those in<br />neighboring countries. Environmental and human resources factors were in good conditions.<br />Participants believed that in cosmetic surgery centers, infrastructure potential, developed<br />planning and clear guidelines, standardization of prices and considering to an efficient liability<br />insurance were not in an appropriate status. In addition, they mentioned that inter-organizational<br />collaboration and promotion strategies were in a desirable condition. Furthermore, competitive<br />condition in cosmetic surgery centers in terms of cost advantage was desirable but in competing<br />with medical centers was undesirable.<br />Conclusion: Isfahan has a good potential capacity in terms of cosmetic surgery; therefore, in<br />order to promote medical tourism in this city, having appropriate plans, strengthening basic<br />infrastructure and coordination between the organization and effective marketing are necessary Introduction: Cosmetic surgery tourism, as one of the leading industries in the world, can be the<br />solution to strengthen the health and economic growth. The aim of this study was to identify<br />cosmetic surgery tourism potential in Isfahan.<br />Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2011. Research participants included<br />managers, plastic surgery and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists of cosmetic surgery centers<br />who were selected based on the purposeful sampling. Data collection tool was a semi-structured<br />questionnaire that was developed through interviews and observation in statistics of deputy of<br />treatment of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The framework analysis was used for<br />analyzing the interviews.<br />Results: Seven themes were identified as the key factors related to the potentials of medical<br />tourism in the field of cosmetic surgery: demand potential, environmental potential, human<br />resource potential, infrastructure potential, inter-organizational relationship, competitive<br />conditions and promotion strategies. In terms of the medical tourism demand potential, the<br />majority of the patients were Iranians residing abroad and few of the patients were those in<br />neighboring countries. Environmental and human resources factors were in good conditions.<br />Participants believed that in cosmetic surgery centers, infrastructure potential, developed<br />planning and clear guidelines, standardization of prices and considering to an efficient liability<br />insurance were not in an appropriate status. In addition, they mentioned that inter-organizational<br />collaboration and promotion strategies were in a desirable condition. Furthermore, competitive<br />condition in cosmetic surgery centers in terms of cost advantage was desirable but in competing<br />with medical centers was undesirable.<br />Conclusion: Isfahan has a good potential capacity in terms of cosmetic surgery; therefore, in<br />order to promote medical tourism in this city, having appropriate plans, strengthening basic<br />infrastructure and coordination between the organization and effective marketing are necessary https://him.mui.ac.ir/article_12138_4163634d39ec5b1d3e126f44619243b2.pdf