Title: An evaluation of measurement model for medical tourism research: the confirmatory factor analysis approach

Authors: Zainudin Awang; Asyraf Afthanorhan; Mahadzirah Mohamad; M.A.M. Asri

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Kampus Gong Badak, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia ' Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Kampus Gong Badak, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia ' Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Kampus Gong Badak, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia ' School of Informatics and Applied Mathematics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract: Medical tourism has become one of the most important sectors generating foreign exchange for Malaysia. The government has intensified its effort to promote the country as a popular destination among foreign travellers seeking medical care outside their country. Thus, rigorous research is expected in this particular field. In line with that, this study intends to validate the measurement model for medical tourism research. The mixed method study begins with qualitative approach and ends-up with the quantitative analysis. The medical tourism constructs involved are human capital, physical infrastructure, and patient satisfaction. In the qualitative phase, personal and focus group interviews were conducted to generate items for the respective constructs. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has validated the measurement model of human capital, physical infrastructure, and patient satisfaction for unidimensionality, validity and reliability. Therefore, these measurement models can be assessed for the future research improvements.

Keywords: confirmatory factor analysis; CFA; medical tourism; validity; reliability; foreign exchange; Malaysia; foreign healthcare; tourist destinations; human capital; physical infrastructure; patient satisfaction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2015.075141

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2015 Vol.6 No.1, pp.29 - 45

Received: 17 Mar 2015
Accepted: 24 Nov 2015
Published online: 04 Mar 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article