SYSTEMATIC ARTICLE REVIEW ON THE FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Malaysia has established a strong reputation as a leading destination for medical tourism in the Asia Pacific area, primarily attributed to its high quality of services. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the existing research pertaining to the many elements that influence the demand for medical tourism in Malaysia. This study aims to ascertain the determinants that influence the selection of Malaysia as a favoured destination for medical tourism among foreign medical tourists. The present study employs a methodological approach centred on conducting an article review, wherein ten scholarly works on medical tourism in Malaysia spanning the years 2019 to 2022 were thoroughly examined and analyzed. Furthermore, the present evaluation has incorporated secondary data from a prior medical tourism study. The findings suggest that the factors driving the demand for international tourists seeking medical treatment in Malaysia include the country's experience in the medical field, advanced equipment utilization, high-quality facilities, effective information dissemination, strong communication capabilities, and low medical costs. The surge in the popularity of medical tourism in Malaysia can be attributed to the country's favourable accessibility to a wide range of medical treatments. Several crucial aspects that significantly impact consumer behaviour encompass the level of satisfaction derived from the counsel received and the perceived value attributed to Malaysian doctors. The findings above provide valuable insights into consumer behaviour, offering guidance to destination management organizations and stakeholders in the tourism industry. These insights can aid in developing strategies to improve the medical tourism experience, foster community support, and ensure the sustained demand for medical tourism in Malaysia.