Research Article
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Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 171 - 176, 03.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.59372/turajas.1817750

Abstract

References

  • Badulescu, D., & Badulescu, A. (2014). Medical tourism: between entrepreneurship opportunities and bioethics boundaries: narrative review article. Iran J Public Health., 43(4), 406–415. PMID: 26005650; PMCID: PMC4433721.
  • Ganguli, S., & Ebrahim, A. H. (2017). A qualitative analysis of Singapore’s medical tourism competitiveness. Tourism Management Perspectives, 21, 74–84.
  • Hadian, M., Jabbari, A., Mousavi, S. H., & Sheikhbardsiri, H. (2021). Medical tourism development: A systematic review of economic aspects. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 14(2), 576–582.
  • Kılavuz, E. (2018). Medical Tourism Competition: The Case of Turkey. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism, 3(1), 42–58.
  • Latief, A., & Ulfa, M. (2024). Healthcare Facilities and Medical Tourism Across the World: A Bibliometric Analysis. Malays J Med Sci., 31(2), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2024.31.2.3. Epub 2024 Apr 23. PMID: 38694584; PMCID: PMC11057838.
  • Lunt, N., Smith, R. D., Mannion, R., Green, S. T., Exworthy, M., Hanefeld, J., Horsfall, D., & Machin, L. (2014). Medical tourism: Treatments, markets and health system implications – a scoping review (Health Services and Delivery Research, No. 2.2). Southampton, UK: NIHR Journals Library.
  • Medical Tourism Association. (2021). Medical Tourism Index (MTI) 2020–2021 Report.
  • MedicalTourism.com. (2021). Global medical procedure cost comparison database. Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.medicaltourism.com
  • Porter, M. E. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press.
  • Raoofi, S., Khodayari-Zarnaq, R., & Vatankhah, S. (2024). Healthcare provision for medical tourism: A comparative review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13, 63.
  • Sandberg, D. S. (2017). Medical tourism: An emerging global healthcare industry. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 10(4), 281–288.
  • Sarwar, A. A., Manaf, N. A., & Omar, A. (2012). Medical Tourist's Perception in Selecting their Destination: A Global Perspective. Iran J Public Health., 41(8), 1–7. Epub 2012 Aug 31. PMID: 23113218; PMCID: PMC3469025.
  • Turner, L. (2010). “Medical tourism” and the global marketplace in health services: U.S. patients, international hospitals, and the search for affordable health care. International Journal of Health Services, 40(3), 443–467. https://doi.org/10.2190/HS.40.3.D.
  • https.//www.tuseb.gov.tr/.
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. (n.d.). HealthTürkiye (Official portal). Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.healthturkiye.gov.tr.

Medikal Turizm Cost Index: Küresel Tedavi Ücretlerinin Karşılaştırmalı İncelemesi

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 171 - 176, 03.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.59372/turajas.1817750

Abstract

Sağlık hizmetlerinin küreselleşmesi ve uygun maliyetli tedavilere yönelik artan talep, sağlık turizmini küresel sağlık ekonomisinin hızla büyüyen bir bileşeni hâline getirmiştir. Medical Tourism Cost Index 2021, dünya genelindeki başlıca destinasyonlarda uygulanan tedavi maliyetlerini kapsamlı biçimde ortaya koyarak, sağlık hizmeti pazarındaki ekonomik farklılıkları ve rekabet düzeyini gözler önüne sermektedir.
Bu çalışma, Amerika, Kolombiya, Hindistan, Ürdün, Meksika, Güney Kore, Tayland, Ukrayna ve Vietnam gibi önde gelen sağlık turizmi destinasyonlarında cerrahi ve terapötik işlem fiyatlarının karşılaştırmalı analizini gerçekleştirmektedir. 2021 yılı verileri, anjiyoplasti, kalp baypası, eklem protezleri, estetik cerrahiler ve göz tedavileri gibi işlemlerde ülkeler arası maliyet farklılıklarını belirlemek amacıyla değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, tıbbi hizmet fiyatlarında önemli farklılıklar bulunduğunu; Asya ve Doğu Avrupa’daki gelişmekte olan ülkelerde maliyetlerin Kuzey Amerika’ya kıyasla %80’e kadar daha düşük olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlar, maliyet unsurunun küresel hasta hareketliliğini şekillendirmedeki kritik rolünü vurgulamakta ve sağlık turizmi rekabetini artırmak isteyen ülkeler için stratejik politika planlamasının önemine dikkat çekmektedir.

References

  • Badulescu, D., & Badulescu, A. (2014). Medical tourism: between entrepreneurship opportunities and bioethics boundaries: narrative review article. Iran J Public Health., 43(4), 406–415. PMID: 26005650; PMCID: PMC4433721.
  • Ganguli, S., & Ebrahim, A. H. (2017). A qualitative analysis of Singapore’s medical tourism competitiveness. Tourism Management Perspectives, 21, 74–84.
  • Hadian, M., Jabbari, A., Mousavi, S. H., & Sheikhbardsiri, H. (2021). Medical tourism development: A systematic review of economic aspects. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 14(2), 576–582.
  • Kılavuz, E. (2018). Medical Tourism Competition: The Case of Turkey. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism, 3(1), 42–58.
  • Latief, A., & Ulfa, M. (2024). Healthcare Facilities and Medical Tourism Across the World: A Bibliometric Analysis. Malays J Med Sci., 31(2), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2024.31.2.3. Epub 2024 Apr 23. PMID: 38694584; PMCID: PMC11057838.
  • Lunt, N., Smith, R. D., Mannion, R., Green, S. T., Exworthy, M., Hanefeld, J., Horsfall, D., & Machin, L. (2014). Medical tourism: Treatments, markets and health system implications – a scoping review (Health Services and Delivery Research, No. 2.2). Southampton, UK: NIHR Journals Library.
  • Medical Tourism Association. (2021). Medical Tourism Index (MTI) 2020–2021 Report.
  • MedicalTourism.com. (2021). Global medical procedure cost comparison database. Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.medicaltourism.com
  • Porter, M. E. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press.
  • Raoofi, S., Khodayari-Zarnaq, R., & Vatankhah, S. (2024). Healthcare provision for medical tourism: A comparative review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13, 63.
  • Sandberg, D. S. (2017). Medical tourism: An emerging global healthcare industry. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 10(4), 281–288.
  • Sarwar, A. A., Manaf, N. A., & Omar, A. (2012). Medical Tourist's Perception in Selecting their Destination: A Global Perspective. Iran J Public Health., 41(8), 1–7. Epub 2012 Aug 31. PMID: 23113218; PMCID: PMC3469025.
  • Turner, L. (2010). “Medical tourism” and the global marketplace in health services: U.S. patients, international hospitals, and the search for affordable health care. International Journal of Health Services, 40(3), 443–467. https://doi.org/10.2190/HS.40.3.D.
  • https.//www.tuseb.gov.tr/.
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. (n.d.). HealthTürkiye (Official portal). Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.healthturkiye.gov.tr.

Medical Tourism Cost Index: A Comparative Analysis of Global Treatment Costs

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 171 - 176, 03.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.59372/turajas.1817750

Abstract

The globalization of healthcare services and the rising demand for affordable medical procedures have positioned medical tourism as a rapidly expanding component of the global health economy. The Medical Tourism Cost Index 2021 provides a comprehensive overview of international treatment costs across major destinations, highlighting the economic disparities and competitiveness within the healthcare market. This study conducts a comparative analysis of surgical and therapeutic procedure prices in leading medical tourism destinations including the United States, Colombia, India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Data from 2021 were evaluated to identify cost variations among countries and regions, focusing on procedures such as angioplasty, bypass surgery, joint replacement, cosmetic surgeries, and ophthalmic treatments. Findings reveal significant differences in medical service pricing, with developing countries in Asia and Eastern Europe offering up to 80% lower costs than those in North America. These results emphasize the critical role of cost in shaping global patient mobility and underscore the importance of strategic policy planning for countries aiming to strengthen their medical tourism competitiveness.

Ethical Statement

ETİK BEYANA GEREK YOKTUR.

Supporting Institution

YOK

Thanks

DR.MESUT KARAMAN HOCAYA TEŞEKKÜR EDERİM.

References

  • Badulescu, D., & Badulescu, A. (2014). Medical tourism: between entrepreneurship opportunities and bioethics boundaries: narrative review article. Iran J Public Health., 43(4), 406–415. PMID: 26005650; PMCID: PMC4433721.
  • Ganguli, S., & Ebrahim, A. H. (2017). A qualitative analysis of Singapore’s medical tourism competitiveness. Tourism Management Perspectives, 21, 74–84.
  • Hadian, M., Jabbari, A., Mousavi, S. H., & Sheikhbardsiri, H. (2021). Medical tourism development: A systematic review of economic aspects. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 14(2), 576–582.
  • Kılavuz, E. (2018). Medical Tourism Competition: The Case of Turkey. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism, 3(1), 42–58.
  • Latief, A., & Ulfa, M. (2024). Healthcare Facilities and Medical Tourism Across the World: A Bibliometric Analysis. Malays J Med Sci., 31(2), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2024.31.2.3. Epub 2024 Apr 23. PMID: 38694584; PMCID: PMC11057838.
  • Lunt, N., Smith, R. D., Mannion, R., Green, S. T., Exworthy, M., Hanefeld, J., Horsfall, D., & Machin, L. (2014). Medical tourism: Treatments, markets and health system implications – a scoping review (Health Services and Delivery Research, No. 2.2). Southampton, UK: NIHR Journals Library.
  • Medical Tourism Association. (2021). Medical Tourism Index (MTI) 2020–2021 Report.
  • MedicalTourism.com. (2021). Global medical procedure cost comparison database. Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.medicaltourism.com
  • Porter, M. E. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. New York: Free Press.
  • Raoofi, S., Khodayari-Zarnaq, R., & Vatankhah, S. (2024). Healthcare provision for medical tourism: A comparative review. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13, 63.
  • Sandberg, D. S. (2017). Medical tourism: An emerging global healthcare industry. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 10(4), 281–288.
  • Sarwar, A. A., Manaf, N. A., & Omar, A. (2012). Medical Tourist's Perception in Selecting their Destination: A Global Perspective. Iran J Public Health., 41(8), 1–7. Epub 2012 Aug 31. PMID: 23113218; PMCID: PMC3469025.
  • Turner, L. (2010). “Medical tourism” and the global marketplace in health services: U.S. patients, international hospitals, and the search for affordable health care. International Journal of Health Services, 40(3), 443–467. https://doi.org/10.2190/HS.40.3.D.
  • https.//www.tuseb.gov.tr/.
  • Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health. (n.d.). HealthTürkiye (Official portal). Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.healthturkiye.gov.tr.
There are 15 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Management
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Mehmet Yorulmaz 0000-0001-6670-165X

Submission Date November 4, 2025
Acceptance Date November 23, 2025
Publication Date January 3, 2026
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Yorulmaz, M. (2026). Medical Tourism Cost Index: A Comparative Analysis of Global Treatment Costs. Turkish Research Journal of Academic Social Science, 8(2), 171-176. https://doi.org/10.59372/turajas.1817750

ISSN: 2667-4491

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