Framing Medical Tourism: An Examination of Appeal, Risk, Convalescence and Accreditation in Medical Tourism Websites

• In Event: eHealth and journalism: The changing face of mediated discourse

Abstract

This content analysis examines the frames of appeal, risk, convalescence and accreditation within 66 medical tourism websites. The study focuses on how messages on these websites convey information about benefits and risks associated with medical tourism. The theoretical backdrop is grounded in object/issue framing. The data indicates a lack of integration of the aforementioned issues but reports significant trends in the use of appeal by both the type of website and region of services offered.

Authors

• Alicia Mason, University of Oklahoma

• Kevin Wright, University of Oklahoma

• Jessica Bogard, University of Oklahoma