Domestic medical tourism in the Russian Federation: characteristics and development prospects

International experience shows that medical tourism is one of the most dynamically developing areas in healthcare and the economy. In the Russian Federation, this segment has significant growth potential and is recognized as one of the priority areas of development, which is reflected in the regulatory framework and strategic documents of the country’s social policy. The study aimed to examine the theoretical and methodological foundations of development, as well as mechanisms of state support and regulation of domestic medical tourism in the Russian Federation.

The study was conducted at Sechenov University and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation between November 2024 and March 2025. It included a content analysis of relevant scientific sources (n = 104) and regulatory acts. The main analytical methods used were the hermeneutic approach and data grouping.

The analysis of the development of domestic medical tourism in Russia demonstrated that the medical and organizational advantages of receiving medical care in the format of a trip are determined by the high quality, state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, and unified standards applied by specialists in regional medical organizations, as well as by continuity of care within regional healthcare systems. The economic efficiency of such trips is shaped by the price competitiveness of services, cost optimization, and stimulating the development of related industries through their organization. Logistic factors also positively influence demand for domestic medical tourism: territorial accessibility, cultural identity, and minimal linguistic and administrative barriers ensure convenient transfers and seamless communication in the “physician–patient” relationship. However, a number of institutional and infrastructural limitations remain, primarily related to the need to improve the regulatory, human resource policy, service, and informational components of domestic medical tourism in the Russian Federation.

The study established that, in the context of growing global demand for specialized medical services and transformation of consumer preferences, the medical tourism market shows a steady growth trend. Despite the current shortcomings of the Russian Federation’s legislative framework in the medical tourism area, potential opportunities for further development of domestic medical tourism in Russia were identified, framing it as a complex phenomenon that combines medical care with recreational opportunities and contributes both to innovative approaches in healthcare organization and to regional economic development.