A study on physicians' view on improving the health tourism facilities in Aydın province

Objective: The aim is to identify the current status of health tourism facilities in the province of Aydın, determine their strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of physicians, and provide recommendations for initiatives to further advance health tourism policies. Material and Methods: A qualitative research method was used. The interviews were conducted with 20 physicians working at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine Research and Application Hospital and the Ministry of Health Aydın Women's and Children's Hospital. The participants were reached using snowball sampling technique. A semi-structured interview technique was used. The criterion of "data saturation" was considered. Results: The geographical location, its natural beauty, proximity to tourist and historical sites, easy transportation, favorable climate conditions, the presence of qualified doctors, the ability to provide specialized services and shorter waiting times for patients have been identified as significant opportunities. However, the insufficient infrastructure of hospitals, limited number of private rooms, lack of hospitality services in public hospitals, equipment and material shortages in hospitals, limited number of quality hotels that can provide comfort in the city, and inadequate healthcare personnel are seen as disadvantages in health tourism. It is necessary to raise awareness among physicians in the field of health tourism, encourage them, provide training, and advertise effectively on social media platforms. Health tourism units should be established and coordination should be ensured. Conclusion: It is expected that the results of the study will provide guidance for the development of health tourism opportunities in Aydın province. Keywords: Aydin Province, Content Analysis, Health Tourism, Physicians' View, SWOT Analysis