Turkey as a Health Tourism Destination: Reviewing of 2015-2016 Data

Abstract

We analyzed the international patients’ characteristics according to specified variables, and to evaluate the current status of Turkey in healthcare tourism. When healthcare tourism statistics in Turkey are examined, there was approximately 20% decrease in 2015 and 8% decrease in 2016. The findings demonstrate that “medical tourist group” do not have seasonal characteristics, but “tourist healthcare group” was a highly significant seasonal difference. Medical tourists were mostly admitted to Ophthalmology and Gynecology and Obstetrics clinics, and tourist healthcare group were mostly admitted A&E departments. Both group preferred private practice hospitals. Libya and Germany was the main origin country of patients.