THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ATTRACTIVENESS OF MEDICAL TOURISM IN SOUTH KOREA BY MONGOLIAN CLIENTS

Abstract

Introduction Traveling away from their home countries for medical purposes offers patients successful access to healthcare not available in their home countries, whereas potentially relieving patients of suffering and saving lives. The most visited country for the purpose of medical healthcare service is Korea by the Mongolian clients for the last 5 years. On the other side, Mongolia is the 5th country in the top 10 countries list of medical tourism in Korea, in the same period. Methods The study was conducted with a cross-sectional study. Analyzed through the online survey, 50 participants joined in the survey, which is to identify the satisfaction levels and the main reason for the choice of Mongolian patients who have experienced in Korean medical services. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the study. Qualitative method for the framework of policy, law, and registration. A quantitative method for Mongolian patients about a number of patients, registration information, cost, services, financial support, and average tariffs. Result 65% of the survey respondents are young people /30-49 years old/ travel to Korea for health care services. Most of them travelled for cancer treatment. Almost 63% did not register in any hospital or any official governmental organization. Mongolians generally take 13 types of healthcare services and treatment from Korean hospitals. These 13 different diseases related to financial expense is USD1,618,323 by the 48 patients. The maximum amount was USD185,000 for one patient and the minimum USD1,000. Their source of funding for medical treatment is a basic few categories such as donation, loan, and own pocket. 81% of all survey respondents were very satisfied with Korean health care services and hospitals. Conclusion Cancer is a leading cause of medical tourism in Korea. Amond the survey, 52% of the respondents got treatment for cancer diseases and 65% of them are young generation. This high percentage shows Mongolia needs a cancer prevention and screening program nationwide. And the majority of them visited Korea looking for well-experienced doctors and nurses, medical types of equipment, and medical services category. Because Mongolia has no integrated registration system for medical tourism. 63% of the respondents did not register in official data of Mongolia. Therefore, their medical expenses, diseases, treatment, and dead or alive are unknown after medical tourism. The study suggested in first, develop the integrated registration data service in Mongolia.