Journals / Eurasian Journal of Health Technology Assessment / 2025 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2

Contributions of Telehealth Applications to Healthcare Services in Türkiye and the International Literature: A Comprehensive Review on Effectiveness, Access, and Cost-Effectiveness

Işıl Duran(Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi)0000-0002-4316-7260
Pages
131–142
Publication Date
2025-12-31
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, innovative applications offer important opportunities to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of healthcare services.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This review study examines the contributions of digital health applications to the healthcare system and their potential for widespread use.
📊
Key Findings & Data:A review of existing studies shows that these technologies increase patient access, accelerate service delivery, and improve efficiency in care processes.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, innovative applications offer important opportunities to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of healthcare services.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Digital health interventions · healthcare access · health services delivery

Abstract

This review study examines the contributions of digital health applications to the healthcare system and their potential for widespread use. A review of existing studies shows that these technologies increase patient access, accelerate service delivery, and improve efficiency in care processes. In addition, digital health tools reduce the workload of healthcare professionals, thereby improving the quality of patient care. When used in conjunction with technological infrastructure and educational support, these applications make significant contributions to the widespread adoption of safe and sustainable healthcare services. The review emphasizes the importance of integrating digital health solutions into modern healthcare systems and strengthening patient-centered services. In conclusion, innovative applications offer important opportunities to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of healthcare services.

🔖

Cite This Article

Duran, I. (2025). Contributions of Telehealth Applications to Healthcare Services in Türkiye and the International Literature: A Comprehensive Review on Effectiveness, Access, and Cost-Effectiveness. Eurasian Journal of Health Technology Assessment, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 131–142. https://doi.org/10.52148/ehta.1816839

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (62)

  1. Agbeyangi, A. O., & Lukose, J. M. (2025). Telemedicine adoption and prospects in Sub-Sahara Africa: A systematic review with a focus on South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. Healthcare, 13(7), 762. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070762
  2. Ağaoğlu, B., Yılmaz, F., & Kara, Ö. (2024). Investigation of health professionals' intention to use telemedicine applications. Telemed J E Health. 19(3), 200–214. DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0491
  3. Ak, S. (2025). Tele sağlık hizmetlerinin Türkiye sağlık politikalarında yeri ve geleceği: SWOT tabanlı bir değerlendirme. Uluslararası Sağlık Yönetimi ve Stratejileri Araştırma Dergisi, 11(2), 122–137. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/usaysad/issue/94279/1701124
  4. Akgün, S. A., Tokalak, İ., & Mataracıoğlu, T. (2021). Türkiye’de COVID-19 Pandemisinde Dijital Sağlık Hizmetlerinin Kullanımı. Türkiye Klinikleri Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 6(2), 245–253.
  5. Aledia, A. S., Dangodara, A. A., Amin, A. A., & Amin, A. N. (2024). Implementation of inpatient electronic consultations during the COVID-19 crisis and its sustainability beyond the pandemic: Quality improvement study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e55623. https://doi.org/10.2196/55623
  6. Anawade, P. A., Sharma, D., & Gahane, S. (2023). A comprehensive review on exploring the impact of telemedicine on healthcare accessibility. Cureus. doi: 10.7759/cureus.55996
  7. Arı, H. O., Çelik, H. (2024). Remote healthcare service delivery by health information technology companies in Türkiye. Türkiye Klinikleri. https://www.turkiyeklinikleri.com/article/en-remote-healthcare-services-delivery-by-health-information-technology-companies-106471.html. 01.10.2025
  8. Bargeri, S., Castellini, G., Vitale, J. A., Guida, S., Banfi, G., Gianola, S., & Pennestrì, F. (2024). Effectiveness of telemedicine for musculoskeletal disorders. JMIR, 1 doi: 10.2196/50090
  9. Beyan, B., Çelik, E., & Demir, A. (2025). Telemedicine: Benefits, challenges, recommendations. Journal of Basic Clinic Health Science, 9; 678-686 https://doi.org/10.30621
  10. Birinci,Ş., Sebik, M. (2021). Türkiye’de Telesağlık Hizmetlerinin Mevcut Durumu ve Geleceği. DOSYA: TELETIP.https://www.medipol.edu.tr/sites/default/files/document/SD_Dergi_Sayi59-14-17.sayfalar_Suayip_Birinci_Nihat_Baris_Sebik.pdf
  11. Blessing, M., Liang, W., Hamzah, F., Johnson Mary, B., Cate, M., & Busari, M. (2025). Telemedicine and its impact on rural healthcare access. Obafemi Awolowo University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391646655
  12. Botin, L., Bertelsen, P.,& Nohr, C. (2017). Sustainable and Viable Introduction of Tele- Technologies in Healthcare. Editor: Vivian, V. E-Health Two- Sided Markets: Inplementation and Business Models İnside: Academic Press, 93-123 doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-805250-1.00008-3
  13. Çam, G., & Kaçmaz, A. (2018). Tele Sağlık Uygulamaları ve Psikiyatri Hemşireliğinde Kullanımı. Hemşirelik Araştırmaları Dergisi, 20(2), 88–102. https://doi.org/10.5336/nurses.2018-59821
  14. Chandak, A., Gudapati, J., & Kulkarni, P. B. (2025). The cost effectiveness and patient satisfaction of telehealth in geriatric care: A systematic review. BMC Geriatrics, 25, Article 968. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06638-6
  15. Demir, F., & Yıldız, E. (2021). Aile hekimliği hizmetlerinde COVID-19 pandemisinin etkileri ve uzaktan sağlık hizmetleri. Aile Hekimliği Dergisi, 25(3), 152–158.
  16. Demir, R., Odabaş, R. K., & Taşpınar, A. (2024). Türkiye'deki kadınların dijital medya kullanımı ve sağlık okuryazarlığı düzeyleri. Social Work in Public Health, 39(2), 199–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2024.2322586
  17. Doraiswamy, S., Abraham, A., Mamtani, R., & Cheema, S. (2020). Use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review. JMIR Preprints. https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/2408
  18. Dullet, N. W., Geraghty, E. M., Kaufman, T., Kissee, J. L., King, J., Dharmar, M., & Marcin, J. P. (2020). Impact of a university-based outpatient telemedicine program on time savings, travel costs, and environmental pollutants. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(4), 333–341. DOI:10.1016/j.jval.2017.01.014
  19. Erbayraktar, A., Koç, E. M., & Pamuk, G. (2022). Evaluation of possible telehealth scenarios in Turkey by family medicine residents in Izmir. Med Science, 11(1), 280‑284. https://doi.org/10.5455/medscience.2021.11.374
  20. Ezeamii, P., Oduro, S., & Mensah, K. (2024). How Telemedicine Is Improving Patient Outcomes and Expanding Access to Care. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11298029/
  21. Farooq, U. (2025). Leveraging telemedicine for enhanced healthcare accessibility: A narrative review of patient satisfaction, appointment adherence, and cost effectiveness. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 5(1), 194–209. https://jhrlmc.com/index.php/home/article/view/1757
  22. Garfan, S., Alamoodi, A. H., Zaidan, B. B., et al. (2021). Telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 138, 104878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104878
  23. GlobeNewswire. (2021). United Kingdom telemedicine market size & share will reach USD 1,241 million by 2027, covering COVID-19 impact analysis. New York: Facts & Factors.
  24. Government of Canada (2020), Prime Minister Announces Virtual Care and Mental Health Tools for Canadians. https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/newsreleases/2020/05/03/prime-minister-announcesvirtual-care-and-mental-health-tools (Erişim Tarihi: 22.10.2025)
  25. Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2, 100118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117
  26. Kaya, A., & Aktaş, E. Ö. (2022). Teletıp uygulamalarının medikolegal yönü. Turkiye Klinikleri ChildPsychiatry-Special Topics, 8(1), 25-30.
  27. Ken Research. (2025, Ekim). Turkey E-Health & Telemedicine Market (Rapor No. KRAB4682). Ken Research. https://www.kenresearch.com/turkey-e-health-telemedicine-market
  28. Köse, S. (2021). Uzaktan sağlık hizmetlerinin pandemi sürecindeki rolü: COVID-19 örneği. Ankara Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 10(1), 33–40
  29. Kruse, C. S., Karem, P., Shifflett, K., Vegi, L., Ravi, K., & Brooks, M. (2016). Evaluating barriers to adopting telemedicine worldwide: A systematic review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 24(1), 4–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X16674087
  30. Lavin, L., Gibbs, H., Vakkalanka, J. P., Ternes, S., Healy, H. S., Merchant, K. A. S., Ward, M. M., & Mohr, N. M. (2024). The effect of telehealth on cost of health care during the COVID 19 pandemic: A systematic review. Telemedicine and e Health, 31(3), 310–319. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2024.0369
  31. Lee, H., & Johnson, P. (2025). Enabling telemedicine from the system level perspective. JMIR, 25(1), e65932. doi: 10.2196/65932
  32. Mohsin, S., Salman, O., Jasim, A., Nouman, M. (2024). A systematic review on the roles of remote diagnosis in telemedicine. Artif Intell Med. doi: 10.1016/j.artmed.2024.103057
  33. Mohanna, M., Herrán, M., Dominguez, B., Sabbagh, S., Msheik, A., Itani, M., Saba, L., Iska, S., Liang, H., Diaz, C. M., & Nahleh, Z. (2024). “You matter”: Patients’ perceptions and disparities about cancer care and telehealth during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(4), 236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08433-2
  34. Mutlu, A., Onsuz, M., Kilinc, A., Ozcan, L., Tepetas, M., Metintaş, S. (2024). Turkish validity and reliability of Telemedicine Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills (AKAS) questionnaire. Journal of Telehealth Research, 11(3), 145–158. doi: 10.14744/nci.2023.79989
  35. McGinley, M. P., Carlson, J. J., Reihm, J., Plow, M., Roser, M., Sisodia, N., Cohen, J. A., Misra-Hebert, A. D., Lazar, A., & Bove, R. (2024). Virtual versus usual in-office care for multiple sclerosis: The VIRTUAL-MS multi-site randomized clinical trial study protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 152, 107544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2024.107544
  36. NEJM Catalyst (2018). What is Telehealth? What’s The Difference Between Telemedicine and Telehealth? Erişim adresi: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.18.0268.
  37. Nourani, A., Hosseini, S. M., Rassoulian, M., Joudivand, L., Samimi, T., & Rahimi, B. (2025). A systematic review of methods used for COVID-19 telehealth systems evaluation: Lessons from past experiences for future use. BMC Health Services Research, 25, 1089. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-1089-0
  38. O’Kane, G. (2022). Telehealth: Improving access and efficiency in rural areas. Rural Health Journal, 8(3), 112–121. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12663
  39. Özden, F., Özkeskin, M., Sarı, Z., Ekmekçi, Ö., & Yüceyar, N. (2021). The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurological Sciences and Neurophysiology, 38(3), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.4103/nsn.nsn_41_21
  40. Özen, F., Kaynar, A. H., Korkut, A. K., Teker Açıkel, M. E., Kaynar, Z. D., & Kaynar, A. M. (2024). The role of telemedicine towards improved sustainability in healthcare. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11620697/
  41. Özkeskin, F., Özden, A., Yüceyar, N, & Ekmekçi, S. (2022). The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ). Turkish Journal of Medical Informatics, 12(4), 77–91. doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05519-1
  42. Öztomurçuk, F., Demir, B., & Kara, L. (2025). Evaluation of a new mobile application developed for vDOT and implemented as a telemedicine solution. Taylor & Francis Online https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2025.2571932
  43. Padhy, SK., Menon, V& Kar, S.K. (2022). Covid-19 and Tele-Health: Time to Move from Practice to Policy. Indian J Psychol Med.;44(1):100
  44. Patel, K. B., Turner, K., Alishahi Tabriz, A., Gonzalez, B. D., Oswald, L. B., Nguyen, O. T., Hong, Y.-R., Jim, H. S. L., Nichols, A. C., Wang, X., Robinson, E., Naso, C., & Spiess, P. E. (2023). Estimated indirect cost savings of using telehealth among nonelderly patients with cancer. JAMA Network Open, 6(1), e2250211. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.50211
  45. Prada, S. I., Toro, J. J., Peña-Zárate, E. E., Libreros-Peña, L., Alarcón, J., & Escobar, M. F. (2024). Impact of a teaching hospital-based multidisciplinary telemedicine programme in Southwestern Colombia: A cross-sectional resource analysis. BMJ Open, 14(5), e084447. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084447
  46. ResearchAndMarkets. (2023). Turkey E health and telemedicine market (Report No. 6209051). https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/6209051/turkey-e-health-and-telemedicine-market
  47. Richardson, E., Aissat, D., Williams, G. A., & Fahy, N. (2020). Keeping What Works: Remote Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Eurohealth, 26(2), 73-76
  48. Sahin, E., Kefeli, U., Cabuk, D., Ozden, E., Cakmak, Y., Kaymak, M. A., Seyyar, M., & Uygun, K. (2021). Perceptions and acceptance of telemedicine among medical oncologists before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(12), 7497–7503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06290-x.
  49. Selvaraj, S. (2024). Improving access to healthcare in rural communities: Evaluating the impact of telehealth services and information technologies. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 13(7), 1141–1145. DOI: 10.21275/SR24723160704
  50. Sarı, Y., Örsal, Ö., & Örsal, Ö. (2024). Tele sağlık uygulamalarının sağlık yönetiminde maliyete etkisi: Sistematik bir derleme. Sağlık ve Hemşirelik Yönetimi Dergisi, 11(2), 219–232. https://doi.org/10.54304/SHYD.2024.27879
  51. SDPlatform. (2023). Türkiye’de tele-sağlık hizmetlerinin mevcut durumu ve geleceği. https://sdplatform.com/turkiyede-telesaglik-hizmetlerinin-mevcut-durumu-ve-gelecegi/
  52. SeyedAlinaghi, S., Yarmohammadi, P., Mirzapour, S., Dehghani, S., Ahmadi, F. F., (2024). A systematic review of telehealth applications in endocrinology. LiebertPub. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmr.2024.00
  53. Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu. (2024, 21 Nisan). Sağlık Uygulama Tebliği’nde değişiklik yapılmasına dair tebliğ [Resmî Gazete, 32145]. https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2024/04/20240421-2.pdf
  54. Statista. (2024). Telemedicine - statistics and facts. Erişim adresi: https://www.statista.com/topics/12106/telemedicine/?utm_source
  55. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. (2019). Teleradyoloji Sistemi. Erişim adresi: https://teleradyoloji.saglik.gov.tr/#service
  56. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. (2020). Hayat Eve Sığar Uygulaması Tanıtım Raporu. https://saglik.gov.tr
  57. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı. (2024). Telesağlık ve Uygulama Geliştirme Daire Başkanlığı Görev Tanımları. Ankara: T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Yayını.
  58. Tekin Kaya, D. (2022). Tele Sağlık Kavramının Ortaya Çıkışı. Sağlık ve Teknoloji Araştırmaları Dergisi, 9(1), 25–40.
  59. Wong, V., Cohen, J., Ingram, A., Woods, E., Mitchell, B., Bellamy, B., Posid, T., & Crescenze, I. (2025). Patient centered cost saving and positive environmental impact with the introduction of telehealth services at a single center. Urology Practice, 12(1), 44–50 https://doi.org/10.1097/UPJ.0000000000000723.
  60. World Health Organization. (2010). Telemedicine: Opportunities and developments in Member States: Report on the second global survey on eHealth. http://www.who.int/goe/publications/goe_telemedicine_2010.pdf
  61. Yoo, B. K., Yang, N. H., Hoffman, K., Sasaki, T., Haynes, S. L., Mouzoon, J., & Marcin, J. P. (2022). Economic evaluation of telemedicine consultations to reduce unnecessary neonatal care transfers. Journal of Pediatrics, 244, 58–63.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.11.076
  62. Botin, L., Bertelsen, P.,& Nohr, C. (2017). Sustainable and Viable Introduction of Tele- Technologies in Healthcare. Editor: Vivian, V. E-Health Two- Sided Markets: Inplementation and Business Models İnside: Academic Press, 93-123 doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-805250-1.00008-3