Affiliation:
1. University of Aveiro, Portugal
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to review the literature on health services internationalization and to identify the most addressed themes using the Scopus platform. Six articles were analyzed in detail and contributed to the results and discussion. The literature was found to highlight the internationalization of medical services mainly in developed countries. However, emerging countries have felt the need to adapt their services to international competitiveness. The potential of these initiatives has encouraged governments to restructure their hospital infrastructure. This growth, in the countries of origin, is a consequence of outdated, slower, and overloaded services and the difficulty of access to alternative treatments. This study summarizes the reasons, motives, and decision-making processes that lead patients to opt for services outside their home country.