Rethinking globalization and health: medical tourism in Turkey

Abstract

The article explores medical tourism in Turkey, which points out the problems in the globalization in the Turkish health sector. Turkey is becoming one of the most prominent centers for medical tourism with its luxurious private hospitals. However, this development focuses on the economic and technological infrastructure rather than the socio-cultural aspects of medicine. Based on a media survey, observations in the private hospitals, and interviews with doctors, nurses, supervisors and policymakers, the article will focus on the problematic aspects of medical tourism in Turkey.