Abstract:

The aim of this study is to determine the means of physıcıan -patient meeting by interviewing managers of agencies, companies, medical centers and hospitals that have the competence to do health tourism in Samsun. Qualitative interview method was used to obtain study data. The interview form is created based on the literature review and expert opinion. The interview was conducted between 01.06.2019 and 01.09.2019. It is aimed to reach all managers in charge of health tourism working in these institutions. A total of six managers were reached. As a result, private institutions that have the competency certificate to conduct health tourism in Samsun make patient-physician connections through international promotions, digital advertising, patient recommendations, international patient-doctor organizations, foreign agreements, foreign partners, social media and intermediary institutions. In addition, it is determined that public institutions have a patient-doctor interaction based mostly on patient recommendations.

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