Health tourism: concept, history, development and current state of global market

Abstract

Abstract In this working paper is developed the conceptual framework of the tourism of health and its two main strands of study: from the medicine and tourism. A bibliographical review of the tourism of health from a historical and contemporary perspective in an attempt to knowing their origins, evolution, changes and trends. It was found, firstly, that the medical tourism (este termino tambien sirve) is not a new phenomenon, because there is much evidence about it in the ancient world. Secondly, that the international movement of patients no longer exists from the developing countries to the developed countries, but in the opposite direction. This is explained by the high costs of health services, the high proportion of older adults (elderly) and the problems associated with insurance coverage in the developed countries, among other causes. In general, it is expected that the flow of health tourists continue increasing in favor of the developing countries.