Evaluation of satisfaction of Somali patients coming to Turkey for medical tourism

Today, relations between Turkey and Somalia have developed very rapidly. In addition, relations between Turkey and Somalia continue to develop in many areas such as health, economic, social, and military. Medical tourism, which is one of the relations between Turkey and Somalia, has started to develop recently. In this study, the satisfaction levels of Somali patients who receive service within the scope of medical tourism in Turkey for various aspects of the service they receive were examined. In addition, the reasons for choosing Turkey for medical tourism, recommending Turkey to others, and returning if needed were tried to be determined. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaires were applied face-to-face by the researcher in hospitals operating in Istanbul and Ankara, which are the most preferred by Somali patients, between 20 July 2021 - 20 May 2022. As a result of the study, it was determined that the majority of Somali patients who came to Turkey for medical tourism were male, had postgraduate education, average age was 35 and average monthly income was $921.39. It has been determined that the majority of Somali patients, who prefer Turkey for IVF, urology, and orthopedic treatments, do not have health insurance, and use intermediary institutions for their travels. The average satisfaction level of Somali patients is generally 3.30. The top three reasons with the highest satisfaction average are respectively "Quality of patient care", "Cheaper travel costs compared to other countries", "Visiting Turkey frequently for medical treatment", "Religious and cultural proximity" "Free after treatment / affordable travel tours", while the reason with the lowest satisfaction rate was determined as "First class doctors, nurses and medical staff" and "High-tech medical equipment". Somali patients coming for medical treatment stated that they would prefer Turkey again for their treatment and would recommend it to others for medical tourism.