The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Patient Journey in Medical Tourism: A Management Framework

Objective: Medical tourism presents unique opportunities for delivering patient-centered healthcare, yet the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing management processes within the patient journey remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate AI’s potential to optimize patient experience and operational efficiency in medical tourism by proposing a comprehensive conceptual framework. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted, analyzing a total of 100 publications (95 peer-reviewed articles and 5 industry reports) published between 2007 and 2023. Thematic analysis was employed to synthesize findings and develop the AI-Enhanced Medical Tourism Patient Journey Model (AI-MTPJM), integrating AI applications across key stages of the patient journey. Results: The AI-MTPJM framework outlines five main stages of the medical tourism patient journey: (1) Information Search, (2) Planning and Reservation, (3) Travel and Treatment, (4) Post-treatment Follow-up, and (5) Feedback and Loyalty. Various AI technologies such as virtual assistants, predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, telemedicine, and sentiment analysis are mapped to these stages. These tools contribute to personalized services, improved operational workflows, and enhanced patient satisfaction in international medical tourism destinations. Conclusion: The AI-MTPJM serves as a strategic bridge between patient-centered service design and data-driven healthcare management. While it holds significant potential for strengthening the competitiveness of medical tourism providers, challenges such as data privacy, cost, and infrastructure requirements must be carefully managed. This framework offers practical insights for stakeholders and lays the groundwork for future empirical research on AI integration in medical tourism management.