Trust in Medical Tourism

What is medical tourism?

Medical tourism is a collective term that encompasses travel motivated primarily by the use of medical services (major or minor) - dental, surgical, aesthetic, hair transplantation, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, cardiology, screening, etc. People all over the world are motivated to seek medical services, and in large numbers they have started to travel outside their own country and rely on Turkey as their first choice. Türkiye hospitals and clinics provide services in the fields of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Why would you even need a second opinion or a choice?

Health is the most important thing we have because it has a major impact on the quality of our lifes. For this reason, investing in health research and technological development activities is very important today. Health tourism, which is rapidly expanding worldwide, has seen a significant increase in recent years due to the development of health services in Turkey. Customer satisfaction is extremely important for health tourism. The reason for this is that people visit the region, i.e. a health tourism facility, due to their different medical conditions and they want to have full confidence, which is the most important thing. They gain this trust by being examined, having consultations and therefore becoming relaxed and confident in their choice.

All services are provided with modern equipment and professional staff and are insured with all the necessary certificates which are government sponsored and supported. And when the patients find a high quality and first class place for themselves, they do not look for anything else, because that way they might only sink lower and become very dissatisfied and indecisive. It's normal for a person to look and decide the best for themselves, but it turns out that the initial feeling of trust with a company, a conversation with the person representing it makes the phrase in patient's head saying 'this is definitely it'.

Trust is the golden key

Trust really is the key factor in building long-term relationships between the patient and the healthcare professional. It is crucial because it is part of relationship and company loyalty as well as the outcome of that relationship for the future. Patients will always prefer the country, region, institution, product, company and people they trust, and thus the perceived trust will reduce or eliminate the risks of fear and uncertainty. In this way, patients will be happy and want their family, friends and acquaintances to share this magical, sincere and pure experience, and they will always recommend it to others.

Therefore, it can be assumed that the first step in gaining trust and building a long-term relationship between the medical consultant (hospital/clinic) and the patient is the conversation. This concept is influenced by both the 'personal' side (e.g. empathy, friendliness, reliability, promptness and likeability of the service employee) and the connection with the company. One of the first things required before health tourism is a sense of trust in the place where the service is provided.

"Trust from afar" - is defined as "the patient's willingness to trust the business they are going to and receive the promised service". Trust is often associated or identified with beliefs such as competence, honesty and helpfulness.

The ability to build trust is important

People only want to entrust their health to an institution or medical professional in whom they have sufficient trust. This need is increasingly pronounced among patients due to their stay in a foreign country. Maintaining trust in health depends on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors, such as: the impact and overall impression, highly qualified staff, technical and behavioral interactions, treatment, general and specialized services at a competitive price.

The Turkish healthcare system adheres to international standards and protocols to ensure patient safety and high quality services. Hospitals in Turkey have modern facilities, advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies as well as qualified medical professionals, including internationally trained staff. Patient safety protocols in Turkey are strict and often exceed international standards. These include infection control measures, emergency services and strict regulations for surgical procedures. Patient rights are also highly respected, with detailed consent forms and privacy policies. In Turkey, there are special departments in medical facilities that inform patients of their rights and responsibilities as well as the details of the treatment they will undergo. Informed consent, the right to privacy and confidentiality are emphasized as fundamental rights of patients. The best Turkish hospitals provide comprehensive post-operative care, including detailed recovery plans and check-ups. Many are also affiliated with rehabilitation centers to provide comprehensive health care.

The healthcare infrastructure in Turkey's largest cities, such as Antalya, Istanbul and Ankara, meets the highest European quality standards and offers the most advanced services. Thanks to government reforms of the healthcare system and investment in healthcare facilities, Turkey has become one of the leading destinations for international patients. The Turkish model of medical education is based on American and Western models, and we can safely say that the quality of care and performance is at a very high and enviable level. Many doctors have also been trained abroad and provide excellent services with maximum commitment and confidence.

Without the luxury of medical facilities, that is, without pre-scheduled appointments, through trust-building conversations, written or verbal communication, and all the things that come with interacting with the patient, an effective connection and stability of trust with the patient cannot be achieved. From the beginning, throughout the process and until the end of the healthcare journey, the patient should pass in a calm and stable manner. And when the patient returns home, attention and engagement in the treatment process and accompanying the patient with questions, help and maintaining the normal human relationship throughout the medical journey are also extremely important.

So which points are important for gaining trust quickly?

1. Posture indicates interest in the situation and promotes or inhibits the feeling of security and thus the flow of speech and the possible acquisition of information. Active listening shows patients that their words are being heard. Similarly, posture and familiarity with the patient contribute significantly to the impression of reliability, non-threat and active interest.

2. Attempting to connect with familiar caregivers in situations where confusion, impaired cognition or advanced age are barriers helps some patients feel safe. When this is achieved, the patient is particularly likely to seek out someone they already know and trust to make the right decision.

3. With everything described here, authenticity is key. Despite everything we say or do during a call or message, we avoid falling into robot mode. Our actions are based on building trust and as such cannot be destroyed in any way. Once the patient has found a place that simply fulfils all the conditions and more and is proven in every way, all they have to do is relax and embark on the magical path to health

Language barriers and cultural differences can be a major obstacle for international patients. Providing language support in the form of multilingual staff or translators can help overcome these challenges, so that patients feel comfortable and feel like they are in their own country. In addition, staff trained in cultural sensitivity can best understand and meet the different needs of patients.

Price is also an important factor for patients when choosing a medical facility. This gives patients all the information and explanations about what is included and what privileges they have. The method of payment is also important to gain trust and meeting the different needs of patients.

Patients carefully choose the service provider, destination and employees, and only those who have experience can provide high quality service and care pass through. The certificate of a health tourism professional instills confidence in patients, thereby achieving quality and thus meeting patients' expectations. Certificates also confirm the excellence of services and inspire confidence among patients.

Seal of quality

Obtaining the seal of quality helps to achieve goals for both parties and to invest in complete safety for patients from all over the world. Patients choose destinations and service providers that guarantee high quality safety and expertise.

With the stamp and guarantee of quality, together with enviable services, that hospital or clinic proves that it is the first and best option for patients who are looking for only top quality health services and treatments.

Personalized services and comprehensive packages that combine treatment, accommodation and transport are a very attractive option for all patients. Personalized services such as airport pick-up, travel assistance and aftercare coordination enhance the patient experience and set the facility apart from the competition. In an increasingly connected world, it is very important to offer virtual consultations and telemedicine services to provide patients with a convenient way to address their health issues before traveling and receiving treatment. These services also build trust between both parties and allow patients to make better informed decisions about their healthcare.

“The goal is the path of health, which is the most important thing for us. And medical trust is like high blood pressure, calm and vital to our lives, but fatal if abused.”

Xirtiz Luxury Health Tourism