Medical tourism in Turkey has exploded in popularity over the last few decades. From offering affordable treatments in modern clinics to beautiful holiday destinations, Turkey truly has it all for both medical tourists and tourists alike. Medical tourism in Turkey is also easily accessible due to Turkey’s location in between Europe and Asia. In this article, the rise of medical tourism in Turkey will be covered in more detail. How the country became so popular, what are the most sought after procedures, things to consider before visiting and potential risks will be explored. Keep reading below to find out more.
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What is Medical Tourism?
Medical tourism is the practice of traveling across international borders to receive medical care, driven by factors like lower costs, shorter wait times, or access to specialized treatments unavailable at home. This encompasses a wide range of procedures, from elective surgeries to complex medical treatments, and while it offers potential benefits, it also presents risks related to varying healthcare standards, post-treatment complications, and follow-up care.
While medical tourism itself is thousands of years old, this form of healthcare in it’s modern definition has become most popular in recent decades. This is due to the many benefits travelling abroad for healthcare can offer, depending on where you’re from. In general, a patient may travel abroad for treatment for one of two reasons:
- More affordable healthcare/treatments
- Better quality of doctors, clinics and healthcare/treatments
Or, as you will find out from continuing to read below, both reasons together. Many western tourists will generally go for more affordable care or a mixture of both reasons. Those from less developed countries who are able to, may travel for higher quality care.
Medical Tourism Turkey: The Rise in Popularity
There are many reasons why Turkey has become such a popular medical tourism destination in recent decades. The country truly offers it all as it is already one of the most visited countries by regular tourists in the world. In addition to offering incredible holiday opportunities to combine with a specific treatment, Turkey also boasts much more affordable healthcare due to the differences in currency than the corresponding treatment in western countries. The medical tourism infrastructure in the country is also second to none. Below, each of these reasons will be covered in more detail.
- Affordable Care: Turkey uses the Turkish Lira as it’s local currency. Due to Euro, Dollar and Pound being significantly stronger currencies, healthcare procedures are more affordable. In addition, the cost of living in Turkey is lower so doctors and clinics can offer the same quality of treatments at a lower price than western countries.
- Quality of Care: Turkey also has very high standards of quality in the country’s healthcare facilities. Whether going to a private clinic or public hospital, you can expect to find incredibly modern buildings, high quality equipment and certified clinics. As medical tourism is a massive revenue generator for the country, there is also a governmental regulatory board which oversees clinics. Make sure you choose one of these clinics if you’re considering going there for treatment.
- Tourism & Hospitality: As already highlighted in the beginning of this section, Turkey is the 5th most visited country in the world. The country has a lot to offer from historical sites, beautiful beaches and modern cities with a lot to do and see. As a result, medical tourists who choose Turkey for a treatment very regularly add some extra time off to relax and do a bit of vacationing before going home.
- Geographical Location: Turkey is located in the east of Europe, right between mainland Europe and Asia. Due to it’s very convenient geographical location, not only is it very accessible to European tourists but, it has one of the busiest airports in the world as it connects the east to the west. There are year round flights to Turkey from anywhere you may be in the world making it a great location to access for medical tourism.
- Government Support: The Turkish government have a dedicated branch for overseeing medical tourism activities, known as the health tourism department. This part of the government closely regulates clinics, hospitals and doctors to make sure visitors to Turkey for healthcare have the best experience possible. Unfortunately, some tourists have procedures go wrong from not doing their research correctly or only opting for the cheapest treatment possible. Make sure to only choose a government approved healthcare provider (there are 100’s of them) if you are choosing Turkey for medical tourism.
Popular Medical Treatments and Procedures
While you can almost certainly find any medical treatment/procedure available in Turkey, it is true that medical tourists to the country tend to visit for some things more than others. The most popular treatments for medical tourism in Turkey include:
- Hair transplants
- Dental Care
- Cosmetic Surgery (Rhinoplasties or nose jobs, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, facelifts, liposuction etc.)
- Bariatric surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Fertility treatment
As any medical professional in Turkey has to go through extensive studying and specialisation before practicing, you should feel confident about high quality care for the treatment you decide to go for. Of course, it is still important to keep some considerations in mind before making a decision which you can read more about in one of the below sections.
Most Visited Medical Tourism Destinations in Turkey
There are a lot of incredible destinations to choose from when going to Turkey for a medical procedure. You can read this article for a lot more in depth detail on each of the most visited locations to help you make up your mind. In the meantime, some of the most visited locations include:
- Istanbul
- Antalya
- Izmir
- Fethiye
- Bodrum
- Ankara
The most important thing to consider before making a decision is what you’re looking to get out of the destination. Are you looking for a beach holiday or a city break? Does the treatment you’re interested in allow for you to be in the location you’re interested in (for example, can you stay in the sun following your procedure)? Once you answer these questions, knowing where to go will become a lot easier.
Practical Considerations for Medical Tourists in Turkey
Before choosing to go to Turkey for a medical treatment, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Think of these considerations as a check list while doing your research and making a decision on whether this is right for you or not.
- Choosing a Hospital or Clinic: When it comes to choosing a hospital/clinic, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Most importantly, you need to begin by looking at the facilities credentials – what kind of qualifications/certifications do they have. Making sure they can provide care in English is also vital. Make sure you look into and do a consultation with at least a few different healthcare providers so you can get a good understanding on what the standard offering is and the type of quality you should expect.
- Package vs Individual bookings: When looking to book a treatment, you will notice in your research that there are a lot of package providers. These providers usually include some combination of hotel, transfer and treatment. While this can be more convenient, it can also be more expensive, so make sure to do some research. Also, the packages may not offer the freedom some patients are looking for to explore or enjoy their holiday so it is an important decision to spend a bit of time researching before finalising.
- Visa Requirements: Turkey is one of the easiest countries to go to globally. Generally, the number of countries which require a visa to visit are low however, do double check ahead of time. Additionally, tourist visas are granted for up to 90 days so if for any reason you think you will be there for longer, it is important to look into other visa options.
- Travel and Accommodation: No matter where you choose to get your treatment, there will be plenty of travel and accommodation options. Turkey has airports in all destinations and no shortage of hotels to choose from. Decide where you want to stay based on the location of your hospital/clinic. If it’s in an inconvenient location (e.g. not close to the beach), then you can always get a transfer to and from. Do your research ahead of time so you’re prepared for what is involved when the time comes around.
- Insurance and Payment: Check if your insurance provider at home will cover any part of the procedure you’re interested in. Additionally, when it comes to making a payment, make sure you don’t go for a cash only option as you have no guarantees or back ups should something go wrong.
- Recovery and Aftercare: Make sure to ask your healthcare provider what kind of aftercare they provide. Will they be giving you all of the necessary items, will they consult with you if needed and what happens if you need to go back are important questions to ask. Additionally, make sure you ask about your treatments recovery process in detail to clarify any details you may want to know. Learning about how much time you need before travelling, whether you can go swimming or be in the sun, as well as how much you can exert yourself will be important for when deciding if you want to combine your treatment with a holiday.
Potential Risks and Challenges
In addition to the important considerations that you should have ahead of making a decision, it is equally as important to be aware of the potential risks and challenges of going to Turkey for medical tourism. Some of these risks and challenges include:
- Language Barriers: The main language spoken in Turkey is Turkish. While most doctors and clinicians speak English, it is important to figure out whether all of the nurses and other staff also can. If not, make sure the facility will provide you with a translator for the duration of your visit.
- Quality Variations: Based on the destination and clinic/hospital you decide to get your treatment, it is important to remember that quality can vary. Choosing an award winning, highly accredited clinic will be more expensive than going to a rural hospital for a treatment. Make sure you have a minimum standard of what you’re looking for and not opt for anything less than this.
- Post-operative Complications: With any treatment, there is always the chance that something may go wrong. Make sure to keep this in mind when making a final decision and the price you’re paying for your treatment. It is better to pay a little bit more up front rather than a lot more to fix something or require additional care afterwards.
- Travel Risks: While some procedures will mean you can travel immediately after, some treatments are more intensive and therefore may mean you need additional time to recover before travelling. Make sure you know this information before booking anything.
- Unforeseen Costs: Whether you choose a package or book different aspects yourself, there can always be some unforeseen costs. Make sure to budget for this so as you’re not stuck in a difficult situation.
- Choosing the wrong/cheapest provider: Too many medical tourists are looking for the absolute cheapest treatment possible. Unfortunately, if something is a lot cheaper than other offering the same, there is usually a reason for this. Do your research and choose a reputable name, even if it costs slightly more.
With the right research, you can ensure that things go seamlessly. Make sure to check out this article about choosing the best clinic in Turkey for you for more information.
Conclusion
Medical tourism in Turkey is a fantastic option for most seeking healthcare outside of their home country, whatever the reason for that may be. The country offers high quality, modern clinics, much more affordable care as well as the opportunity to combine your treatment with a holiday. Before making a decision to go to Turkey as a medical tourist, it is important to do your research and keep certain considerations, as well as potential risks/challenges in mind as well. Consult with at least a few different providers and know what you want in terms of location, price and how long you want to spend in the country on top of your treatment.
If you need any help with making the decision, feel free to contact us. We are not associated with any clinics and are here to provide you unbiased information for free. If you are interested in learning more about medical tourism in Turkey, check out our blog page.
Frequently Asked Question's (FAQ's)
- What is medical tourism?
- Medical tourism involves traveling to another country for medical procedures, often to save money, access better quality care, or find treatments unavailable at home.
- Why is medical tourism becoming more popular?
- Factors like rising healthcare costs in some countries, long wait times, and the availability of high-quality, affordable care abroad contribute to its popularity.
- Are there risks associated with medical tourism?
- Yes, potential risks include language barriers, varying healthcare standards, post-operative complications, and challenges with follow-up care.
- Why is Turkey a popular destination for medical tourism?
- Turkey offers affordable treatments, high-quality healthcare facilities, a strong tourism infrastructure, and a convenient geographical location.
- How does Turkey offer affordable medical treatments?
- The use of the Turkish Lira, a lower cost of living, and government support for medical tourism contribute to lower prices compared to Western countries.
- Does the Turkish government regulate medical tourism?
- A: Yes, the Turkish government has a health tourism department that regulates clinics and hospitals to ensure quality.
- What are the most visited medical tourism destinations in Turkey?
- Popular destinations include Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir, Fethiye, Bodrum, and Ankara.
- What factors should I consider when choosing a hospital or clinic in Turkey?
- Check credentials, certifications, language capabilities, and consult with multiple providers.
- What are the visa requirements for medical tourists in Turkey?
- Visa requirements vary by nationality. Check the latest regulations before traveling however, most countries do not require a visa. Tourist visas are often granted for up to 90 days.
- Will my insurance cover medical procedures in Turkey?
- Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover any part of the procedure.
- How can I minimize the risk of post-operative complications?
- Choose reputable clinics, follow aftercare instructions carefully, and ensure you understand the recovery process.
- How do I find a reputable medical provider in Turkey?
- Research clinics with government approvals, read reviews, and consider consultations with multiple providers.