[ survey on the current statues of exporting medical products and services to abroad in Iran [medical tourism]]

ABSTRACT

Medical tourism has become a challenging Issue in a last few years all over the world. Iran, as one of the developed countries in terms of advanced medical sciences and highly distinguished specialists and physicians, aims to tack part actively in the global market of medical tourism among Middle-Fast countries through empowering effective relationship with other countries and improving its own medical services. According to the health part of the forth national strategic development plan, Iran should reach to the heart of the Middle-Fast countries regarding medical tourism until the end of the mentioned plan. This survey has been conducted to find out current statues of medical tourism in the country and gathering concerned authorities and specialist's opinion for providing required context for medical tourism in Iran to achieve the goal. This qualitative research was done during the summer of 2005 on the 9 provinces in the country. They had been selected randomly as the pilots. Required data were gathered through interviewing with top Health organization's authorities such as medical university chancellors and his/her deputies and hospital managers and so on in each province. Iran had distinguished development in exporting medical products such as drugs and medical equipments in the last few years. The study showed that this figure has been increased about 1.82 and 6.5 times more in terms of weight and worth[$] during the period of 1375-1382. Unfortunately, the researchers could not find any reliable and comperhensive data about exporting medical services at all. Other findings are comments and suggestions of related health authorities and specialist of the provinces on solving existing problems on the way of goal. It is quite evident that although some effective steps have been taken, there is a long way to reach the final target in terms of Iran's medical tourism. To achieve the purpose, first of all a well-developed strategic planning and a proper management of the medical tourism is essential. Nevertheless enjoying by developed medical sciences and distinguished specialists in Iran, delivering medical services are facing to serious problems yet