A qualitative analysis of Turkish stakeholders perspective for improving medical tourism

COLLINS A., Medhekar A., Sanal Z. G.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, vol.24, no.3, pp.487-500, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 24 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/jtr.2516
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, Hospitality & Tourism Index, Index Islamicus, Psycinfo, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.487-500
  • Keywords: healthcare, medical tourism, quality, stakeholders, thematic analysis, Turkey, HEALTH-CARE, SERVICE QUALITY, INNOVATION, SECTOR, TRUST
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This qualitative study explores from Turkish medical tourism stakeholders' perspective the supply-side driving factors for improving medical tourism services in Turkey and provides positive healthcare experience to medical travelers. Five groups of stakeholders (27 participants) were interviewed: hospitals/medical centers, medical travel-agencies, medical-legal regulators, government, and non-government organizations. Findings show that Turkey has a dual-sector public and private model of medical tourism service providers. Four interrelated themes with policy implications were generated: medical tourism promotion, logistics and development initiatives, medical cost, hospital quality accreditation, and other issues related to medical-legal, government incentives for Turkish diaspora, and promoting Turkish medical tourism overseas.