Problems and prospects of creating health tourism villages as a potential for developing medical tourism in the Islamic Republic of Iran (Case study: Yazd province)

Aim. The article discusses the current state of medical tourism, problems and prospects in order to assess the obstacles and limitations in creating tourist health villages in the Iranian province of Yazd. Materials and Methods. The data were obtained using the analytical and documentary method with a focus on content analysis and by interviewing and questionnaires of key experts of the region: this allowed the identifation and development indices for the development of medical tourism in the development of health villages. Results. During the first stage, data analysis was performed using the MAXQDA-11 program. In the second stage, the data obtained were studied in order to assess the state of these indices using the SOWAT model. Priorities were then set and the specific weight of obstacles and restrictions was calculated using complex criteria. Conclusions. Poor transportation provision for medical tourists due to the limited number of domestic and international flights, unavailability of treatment and follow-up after discharge, ineffective insurance legislation and lack of appropriate new legislation were identified as the main obstacles to the development of medical tourism. Accordingly, long-term and short-term strategies should be developed and implemented in accordance with these issues. On the other hand, taking into account the restrictions and obstacles noted, we have proposed locations suitable for building health villages at a minimum distance from Yazd. These are indicated on a map created using the Arc GIS program. During project implementation, strategic objectives were developed.