| A B S T R A C T
The purpose of the present study was to determine factors impeding the development of medical tourism in East
Azerbaijan province, Iran. The data were derived from interviews with 16 key informants. Data analysis of the
study was conducted through employing the software MAXQDA-12. The results show that marketing, international
issues, culture, transfer, brokerage, management, and policy problems are the main barriers to the development
of medical tourism. It seems that East Azerbaijan province should provide necessary context for the
participation and investment of private sector in the field of medical tourism. Further, it should design and
implement long and short-term strategies in proportion to the problems raised. |