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Journals / International Journal of Health Management and Tourism / 2026 / Cilt: 11 Sayı: 2

Rethinking Medical Tourism: A Theoretical Integration of Sharing Economy Mechanisms and Patient Needs

Tıbbi Turizmi Yeniden Düşünmek: Paylaşım Paylaşım Ekonomisi Mekanizmaları ile Hasta İhtiyaçlarının Kuramsal Olarak Birleştirilmesi

Semih Sarıipek(BANDIRMA ONYEDİ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ERDEK MESLEK YÜKSEKOKULU)0000-0002-6585-626X
Pages
155–178
Publication Date
2026-07-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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

These platforms facilitate access to personalized and flexible services which in turn positively influence patient outcomes including satisfaction, perceived service quality, trust and overall experience.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: This study aims to develop conceptual framework that explains the integration of medical tourism and the sharing economy by examining how medical tourist needs can be addressed through platform-based service solutions.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: The study adopts a conceptual research design based on a synthesis of the existing literature on medical tourism and the sharing economy.
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Conclusion & Impact:These platforms facilitate access to personalized and flexible services which in turn positively influence patient outcomes including satisfaction, perceived service quality, trust and overall experience.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sağlık Hizmetleri · medikal turizm · paylaşım ekonomisi

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to develop conceptual framework that explains the integration of medical tourism and the sharing economy by examining how medical tourist needs can be addressed through platform-based service solutions. Methods: The study adopts a conceptual research design based on a synthesis of the existing literature on medical tourism and the sharing economy. Medical tourist needs are categorized into medical, psychological, cultural and tourism related dimensions and their relationship with sharing economy applications is theoretically examined. Results: The proposed framework suggests that medical tourist needs drive the adoption of sharing economy platforms such as accommodation, transportation and social service applications. These platforms facilitate access to personalized and flexible services which in turn positively influence patient outcomes including satisfaction, perceived service quality, trust and overall experience. The model further identifies cultural distance, language barriers and type of medical procedure as key moderating factors shaping these relationships. Conclusion: The study concludes that integrating sharing economy applications into medical tourism can enhance service accessibility, patient satisfaction and overall experience. The proposed conceptual model provides a foundation for future empirical research and offers practical implications for healthcare providers and policymakers.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışma, tıbbi turizm ile paylaşım ekonomisinin entegrasyonunu açıklayan kavramsal bir çerçeve geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu kapsamda, medikal turistlerin ihtiyaçlarının platform tabanlı hizmet çözümleri aracılığıyla nasıl karşılanabileceği incelenmektedir. Yöntem: Çalışma, tıbbi turizm ve paylaşım ekonomisine ilişkin mevcut literatürün sentezine dayanan kavramsal bir araştırma tasarımını benimsemektedir. Medikal turist ihtiyaçları; tıbbi, psikolojik, kültürel ve turizmle ilişkili boyutlar şeklinde sınıflandırılmış ve bu ihtiyaçların paylaşım ekonomisi uygulamalarıyla ilişkisi kuramsal olarak ele alınmıştır. Bulgular: Önerilen çerçeve, medikal turist ihtiyaçlarının konaklama, ulaşım ve sosyal hizmet uygulamaları gibi paylaşım ekonomisi platformlarının benimsenmesini yönlendirdiğini göstermektedir. Bu platformlar, kişiselleştirilmiş ve esnek hizmetlere erişimi kolaylaştırmakta; bu durum ise hasta memnuniyeti, algılanan hizmet kalitesi, güven ve genel deneyim gibi hasta çıktıları üzerinde olumlu etkiler yaratmaktadır. Model ayrıca, kültürel mesafe, dil engelleri ve tıbbi işlem türünü bu ilişkileri şekillendiren temel düzenleyici faktörler olarak tanımlamaktadır. Sonuç: Çalışma, paylaşım ekonomisi uygulamalarının tıbbi turizme entegre edilmesinin hizmetlere erişimi, hasta memnuniyetini ve genel deneyimi artırabileceği sonucuna varmaktadır. Önerilen kavramsal model, gelecekte yapılacak ampirik araştırmalar için bir temel sunmakta ve sağlık hizmeti sunucuları ile politika yapıcılar için pratik çıkarımlar sağlamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Sarıipek, S. (2026). Rethinking Medical Tourism: A Theoretical Integration of Sharing Economy Mechanisms and Patient Needs. International Journal of Health Management and Tourism, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 2, 155–178. https://doi.org/10.31201/ijhmt.1929941

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