Problems of Social Hygiene, Public Health and History of MedicineProblems of Social Hygiene, Public Health and History of Medicine0869-866X2412-2106Joint-Stock Company Chicot141410.32687/0869-866X-2025-33-1-85-89НеопределенThe approaches to definition of the notion of “medical tourism” and problem of definitive creolizationAnanchenkovaP Iananchenkova@yandex.ruN. A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, 105064, Moscow, Russia160420253311704202517042025Copyright © 2025,2025<p>The article considers development of medical tourism as one of the significant areas of global market of services export. The historical stages of formation of medical tourism are described, starting from the end of the 19th century, as well as modern trends in its development due to economic, social and technological factors. The various approaches to definition of notion medical tourism, its classification and comparative characteristics with medical and wellness tourism are presented. The conclusion is made about definitive creolization of the very notion of medical tourism. The key factors and barriers affecting development of this industry are highlighted, including cost of medical services, quality of medical care, technological progress and communication barriers. The special attention is paid to role of accreditation, telemedicine and information communication technologies in ensuring competitiveness of countries in the medical tourism market. The forecast of further development of this sector in post-pandemic period is made. Its impact on transformation of national health systems is emphasized.</p>medical careexportmedical servicesmedical tourismmedical and wellness tourismfeaturesdifferencesinnovationstechnological development.медицинская помощьэкспорт медицинских услугмедицинский туризмлечебно-оздоровительный туризмособенностиотличияинновациитехнологическое развитие.1.Smith M., Puczkó L. Health and WellnessTourism. New York, NY: Routledge; 2008.2.Lyadova A. V. Medical tourism as a social practice: current state and development prospects. Humanities, Socio-Economic and Social Sciences. 2017;(3):79–82 (in Russian).3.Exploring Health Tourism. World Tourism Organization and European Travel Commission. UNWTO, Madrid; 2018.4.Yudina N. N., Melgunova M. S., Chernyshev E. V., Petrova G. D. International experience in the development of inbound medical tourism (export of medical services), including identification of potential donor countries for the Russian Federation. Analytical review. The Problem of Standardization in Healthcare. 2020;9(10):60–7 (in Russian).5.Hopkins L., Labonté R., Runnels V., et al. Medical tourism today: what is the state of existing knowledge? J. Public Health Policy. 2010;31:185–98.6.Pirogova O. V., Bui T. N. Trends in the development of medical tourism. Innovations. Science. Education. 2021;34:2942–6 (in Russian).7.Grineva O. O., Churley E. G. Methodological approach to conducting research in the medical tourism market. In: Trends in economic development in the 21st century: Proceedings of the III International Scientific Conference. Minsk; 2021. P. 618–20 (in Russian).8.Shchekin G. Yu. Conceptualization of the phenomenon of medical tourism in the sociology of medicine. Dissertation, Doctor of Social Sciences. Volgograd; 2013 (in Russian).9.Mozokina S. L. Trends in the development of therapeutic and medical tourism. Proceedings of the St. Petersburg State University of Economics. 2014;5(89):42–6 (in Russian).10.Kangas В. Traveling for Medical Care in a Global World. Med. Anthropol. 2010;29(4):344–62.11.Shchekin G. Yu., Sedova N. N. Medical tourism: history, theory, practice. — Moscow: Lawyer Publishing Group, LLC; 2014 (in Russian).12.Conell J. Medical tourism: see, sun, sand and … surgery. Tourism Management. 2006;27(6):1093–100.13.Kirillov A. N., Maltsev A. V., Balashova M. V. International practice of medical tourism organization. Fundamental Research. 2018;(6):133–7 (in Russian).14.Ignatova E. V., Karpova G. A., Rybalchenko I. E. Evolution of development and promising directions for improving the medical tourism market in modern conditions. Izvestiya of St. Petersburg State University of Economics. 2020;5:102–7 (in Russian).