• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.1052-1059
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• 2009

Health care has become one of the paramount issues of the 21st century as governments and individuals grapples the complex problems associated with contemporary medical care such as cost, affordability, and shifting demographic trends. The purpose of this study was to develop the critical success factors of medical tourism for health-care organizations and to measure the wights of these factors. For this purpose, we gathered the data from doctors, travelling agencies and scholars. about the success factors of medical tourism. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to determine the factors as the Critical Success Factors of medical tourism. We did also the research to evaluate the validity and reliability of these factors. After that the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to analyze the weight and significances among these factors. Factor analysis resulted in 15 major factors (Eigenvalue > 1.0). The AHP analysis showed the list of Critical Success Factors weighted by its significance priorities. The recommendable degree of reliability and validity suggests that these factors could be the valuable refences for the policy making process of the medical tourism in Korea.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.238-242
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• 2021

Through diversification of 4th industries and transportation and globalization, tourism was developed for medical purposes, not limited to touring tourist attractions. The trend of medical tourism in Korea is shifting from large and medium-sized hospitals to professional medical services in one area of small hospitals rather than professional medical services. However, small hospitals lack medical coordinators and interpretation services, and tourists who visit Korea for treatment lack information on small hospitals. Therefore, a platform is needed to match small hospitals with medical tourists. In this study, using Platform as a Service (Paas) in cloud computing, clinic administrators can access the app to introduce information about their hospitals with simple manipulations. Tourists also want to propose a customized platform to select the right area for them to check information about small-scale hospitals and choose the treatment and tourist attractions they wants. In this study, using Platform as a Service (Paas) in cloud computing, clinic administrators can access the app to introduce information about their hospitals with simple manipulations.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.115-124
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• 2011

1. Objectives : This study aimed to provide practical insights on the development of traditional Korean medical tourism and maximize the satisfaction of foreign patients. The main objectives of this study were also to evaluate Sasang Constitutional Medicine(S.C.M.) diagnosis cost from foreigners' perspectives. 2. Methods : For this study, the data were collected from tourists to Korea between January 3, 2010 to February 20, 2010. The sample used in this study was mainly composed of Japanese, Chines and US/Canada, because they are the major national visitor origin group to Korea. The primary data were collected by questionnaire survey using a standardized instrument with a convenience sampling procedure, and efforts of the interviews involved an on-site, self-administrated questionnaire to those sitting or visiting tourist attractions. The total size of the sample was 276 of which 275 showed no missing value against the factors needed for final analysis and were for analysis as an effective sample. SPSS 13.0 for window was used to analyze the collected data on which descriptive statistics and the Limited Dependent(LIMDEP) 8.0 program was used in estimating the willingness-to-pay(WTP) for traditional Korean medical tourism through the Contingent Valuation Method(CVM). A dichotomous choice question form of a CVM was applied to estimating the value. 3. Results and Conclusion: 1. There was significant statistical relationship between attributes when considering medical tourism destination and socio-demographic profiles such as age group, nationality, educational level and occupation. 2. In the level of recognition on Korean medicine, north Americans showed low level of recognition compared to other nationalities. In addition, in terms of age group, 20's and 30's showed low level of recognition on Korean medicine, 3. In relation to the level of interest on Korean medicine, Japanese respondents had higher interesting level on Korean medicine. Also singles had higher level of interest. 4. Regarding preferred Korean medical treatment program, there found significant statistical relationship between Korean medical treatment program and socio-demographic characteristics. 5. The estimating result of the logit model showed that the variables affecting the WTP for Sasang Constitutional medicine diagnosis were offered price and potential ability of medical tourism destination. 6. In relation to WTP for Sasang Constitutional medicine diagnosis, Japanese respondents showed a WTP of USD 62.69 and Chinese respondents showed USD 57.09. On the other hands, respondents from north America and other countries showed a WTP of USD 65.50. In conclusion, from this study, the results found that the opportunities in tradition Korean medical tourism are immense and the possible rewards are numerous. It is time to continue to promote 'Sasang Constitutional medicine' and make the Korean medical tourism programs considering on nationalities, age group, gender and WTP.

• Journal of Arbitration Studies
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.111-128
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• 2016

Trade between nations has been considered as exchange for material things. According to recent changes in the paradigm of global trade, trade is shifting focus on the exchange of an immaterial being. Among them, the service sector is growing fast and the health service has shown exceptional growth as the healthcare market is consistently expanding. It is also part of the global service targeting people all around the world. People visiting other countries for medical service tend to spend more money and stay longer than a traveler. For these reasons, global medical service is in the spotlight as a promising and higher value-added business. The global medical service industry has been developed around Asia, specifically Thailand, Singapore, India, etc. Compared to them, Korea has come late into the market of global healthcare and the Korean government is striving to attract foreign patients. Nevertheless, there is a lack of effort to make foreign patients visiting Korea revisit Korea. Regarding foreign patients' medical disputes, these are not yet a problem officially; however, the government cannot leave the matter as it is. Medical dispute related with foreign patients is a highly complex issue due to different languages, nationalities, cultures, etc. Particularly, Korea's medical tourism is developed with Chinese visiting Korea for plastic surgery and cosmetic procedure. Thus, the Korean medical tourism market can be crowded with a lot of minor medical agencies, so-called brokers, getting foreign patients connected to the medical institutions. Consequently, Korea has received a large number of complaints and dissatisfaction. No one can predict and know what's supposed to happen in the future. Efforts of the Korean government and medical institute attracting foreign patients could be in vain. In order to take a step forward, this paper will do research on present conditions and look for strategies of improving this industry, focusing on the part of medical agency and contributing to the improvement of the Korean medical tourism industry.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2023

Since its inception in 2009, medical tourism in South Korea has continued to progress. Reaching its peak in 2019, the industry experienced a sharp decline in inbound patients after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 due to international border closures and a surge in patient numbers. However, from 2021 onwards, there has been a gradual increase in inbound patients. The purpose of this study was to classify the top 12 countries based on the number of actual patients entering the country from 2014 to 2022, using statistics from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. It also analyzed the changes in the number of foreign patients visiting Korea and the evolving proportion of actual patients compared to short-term visa arrivals on a yearly basis. Through this content, we aim to examine the trends on a country-by-country basis and identify the direction in which the future of South Korean medical tourism should progress. By focusing on healthcare, we intend to pinpoint areas that require attention and improvement, as well as highlight any existing issues. Through modifications and enhancements based on these considerations, we aspire to attract a significant number of foreign patients, thereby promoting South Korea's medical technology on a global scale.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.1663-1674
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was a methodological research to develop an instrument to assess the medical tourism satisfaction of foreign tourist. A primary instrument with 63 questions was developed based on literature review. A group of experts revised individual questions and removed 9 irrelevant questions. This secondary instrument, then, was distriuted from Jury 1, 2012 to October 20, 2012. It was tested with 589 members of foreign tourist. After factor analysis on the final 42 questions, 7 factors were identified; quality of medical service, correspondance, tourism connection, sympathy, convenience, believability, and economical efficiency. The total variance explained was 60.9%. This instrument was statistically reliable and valid to measure medical tourism satisfaction of foreign tourist.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.85-110
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• 2011

As Gangwon-do Province needs an environmental-friendly alternative tourism according to low carbon green growth, this study analyzes specialized fields in green health industry, selects seven specialized fields in green health industry that is fit to Gangwon-do Province, and suggests a development strategy by conducting recognition surveys on preference and impotence of the specialized fields. Surveys and interviews are conducted of 106 students at Green Health Industry Education Center which is operating by Kwandong University and 84 persons who work at medical institutions and tourism related companies in Ganwondo. The surveys and interviews were completed from November 5 to November 19 in 2010, determined factors through a factor analysis when they have many questions, and analyzed by using SPSS 14.0. Out of the seven specialized fields, rest & recuperation field is highly recognized. In order to have competitive edge compared to other self-governing provinces, Ganwon-do Province should prioritize rest and recuperation field. A healthcare program in the green health industry specific to Ganwon-do Province includes hot springs and spa programs as a priority. Gangwon-do's hot springs are deemed to be competitive resources as global medical tourists prefer spa and sauna healthcare programs, while the province promotes its spring resources and builds medical tourism infrastructures. Gangwon-do Province can promote a medical tourism industry that is well suitable for the strength and characteristics of the province. It might pursue oriental medicine therapy tourism, which is related to a recuperating medical service that uses both oriental and western medicine. It can also run such programs as forest bathing (oxygen road), spring and spa, and sea water treatment, which are the specialized fields in green health industry with respect to recreation and healthcare.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.167-188
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• 2021

This study was carried out to identify the key drivers behind the rapid growth of the cosmetic medical tourism industry in recent years and determine the future growth engines. Unlike previous studies that have focused on cosmetic medical tourism in the United States, Japan, and China, this paper examines the related trends in ASEAN countries, where the interest in cosmetic surgery has recently surged among young people, as part of the efforts to promote the expansion of the industry in this particular region. The results of the empirical study showed that those from the ASEAN region traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery found the medical professional's expertise in cosmetic surgery technology, medical care system, and administrative convenience in relation to communication and accessibility appealing, and this is what led to an intention to visit. As for another process that formed the intention to visit, it was the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance arising from the attractiveness of celebrities, and this had an impact on the intention to visit abroad for cosmetic surgery. Especially it was newly discovered, based on an empirical analysis, that sociocultural attitudes towards the appearance and attractiveness of celebrities could be a key influencing factor when it comes to the intention to visit another country for cosmetic surgery.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.507-509
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• 2017

Medical tourism is a newly-prevailing industry accompanied by the change of lifestyle to a health-seeking life in the 21st century, which not only attracts foreigners using high-end medical technologies and equipments but also linking recuperation and leisure and cultural activities to the tour. many chinese tourists enter seeking both medical and tourism purposes. However, since the system for medical tourism is not well supported and there is no medical insurance for Chinese people, it is necessary to link safe hospitals and guides for these Chinese people and to develop systems that will provide proper information to Chinese people. This paper will introduce and propose a medical tour service system which effectively links hospitals, chinese tourists and brokers.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.115-125
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• 2014

This paper has two purposes. The first is to suggest the new and simple method to derive a regional input-output model from the national input-output table published by the Bank of Korea. The interregional input-output table has not been devised in spite of its potential use while the national table has been made every five years with the revised version during each five years. Second, this paper aims to derive Kangwon interregional input-output model from the national model using the regional supply proportion of industry and to analyze the effect of medical tourism industry on the regional economy of Kangwon Province. The paper measures, in particular, the effect of medical tourism industry on the financial self-sufficiency of Kangwon Province using the estimated output elasticity of tax revenue with the autoregressive distributed lag scheme ADL(1,1) in which the dependent variable and the single explanatory variable are each lagged once.