Rethinking Medical Tourism: A Theoretical Integration of Sharing Economy Mechanisms and Patient Needs

Aim: This study aims to develop conceptual framework that explains the integration of medical tourism and the sharing economy by examining how medical tourist needs can be addressed through platform-based service solutions.Methods: The study adopts a conceptual research design based on a synthesis of the existing literature on medical tourism and the sharing economy. Medical tourist needs are categorized into medical, psychological, cultural and tourism related dimensions and their relationship with sharing economy applications is theoretically examined.Results: The proposed framework suggests that medical tourist needs drive the adoption of sharing economy platforms such as accommodation, transportation and social service applications. These platforms facilitate access to personalized and flexible services which in turn positively influence patient outcomes including satisfaction, perceived service quality, trust and overall experience. The model further identifies cultural distance, language barriers and type of medical procedure as key moderating factors shaping these relationships. Conclusion: The study concludes that integrating sharing economy applications into medical tourism can enhance service accessibility, patient satisfaction and overall experience. The proposed conceptual model provides a foundation for future empirical research and offers practical implications for healthcare providers and policymakers.