The role and importance of perceived risk in medical tourism. Applying the theory of planned behaviour

PLoS One. 2022 Jan 5;17(1):e0262137. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262137. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the role and importance of perceived risk in medical tourism (MT). The research demonstrates that the country of origin and an assessment of the respondents' own health condition significantly moderates the impact of their attitudes on behavioral intention. The research shows a strong correlation between the risk perceived by the respondents and their attitudes towards MT services. This relationship is significantly moderated by risk awareness, aversion to risk and gender. Additionally, an important factor in the model is the level of satisfaction with medical services in their own country. The survey using a fully structured questionnaire was conducted among young consumers from Jordan, Poland and Turkey. To verify the hypotheses, a multiple regression model with interactions was used.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Jordan
  • Male
  • Medical Tourism / psychology*
  • Poland
  • Psychological Theory
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.