Identifying the Therapeutic Tourism Potentials of Kermanshah Province Based on Grounded Theory

Abstract| Medical tourism, as one of the aspects of tourism, has played a significant role in the sustainable development and dynamics of the economy, as well as understanding between nations and strengthening the foundations of world peace. Therefore, the current research was carried out to identify, introduce, and present a suitable model of therapeutic tourism potential in Kermanshah province. This study employed grounded theory, which is a qualitative method. The statistical population of the research is 8 hospitals with an active IPD department in the center of Kermanshah province. A semi-structured interview was chosen as a data collection method. To achieve theoretical saturation, the entire society associated with foreign patients was consulted. The results of the interviews with these experts were reported in the form of themes of referral motivation, financial incentives, accommodation incentives, transportation, and changing the structure of treatment centers. The theme of referral motivation includes five general components and twenty-two indicators; the theme of financial incentives includes three general components and fourteen indicators; the theme of accommodation and transportation incentives includes three general components and ten indicators, and the theme of changing the structure of treatment centers includes two general components and fifteen indicators. Finally, the final model of the research was drawn and practical suggestions were presented to the managers of the health and treatment fields in Kermanshah province