Strategies and challenges in medical tourism: a systematic review of international patient care and tourists

Abstract

Medical tourism has established itself as a strategic sector in the global economy, integrating health services and tourism. However, it faces significant challenges such as the lack of homogeneous regulation, inequities in access to medical services and infrastructure limitations in emerging destinations. This article aims to identify the strategies implemented and challenges faced in medical tourism for the care of international patients and tourists, analyzing their impact on accessibility, service quality and sustainability in global health and tourism contexts. The research was based on a systematic review of the literature published between 2020 and 2024, following PRISMA guidelines, selecting 9 relevant articles from Google Scholar and PubMed. Among the most outstanding results, strategies such as the implementation of telemedicine, the creation of medical clusters and the development of public policies that have improved accessibility and competitiveness in countries such as Colombia and Mexico were identified. However, there are still regulatory gaps and inequalities that limit their consolidation. The findings highlight that medical tourism requires sustainable and integrated approaches that balance economic benefits with equity and quality of services, maximizing its potential as a driving force.