Interplay of Global Technological Dynamics and Local Realities: Digital Healthcare Transformation in Turkey

Various trends have driven the digital transformation of health: Developments in digital technologies, pressures for cause reduction in healthcare and increasing demand and expenditures from aging populations. In parallel, Turkey is actively engaged in a great transformative journey with its Health Transformation Program (HTP) since 2003, embracing the age of digitalization in healthcare. This study explores the interplay among historical discourse, political influences, technological advancements which shaped the centralization of Turkey's health system. Specifically, it delves into how Turkey's healthcare system has undergone centralization under the aegis of digital transformation. Amidst this transition, a compelling question arises: How has the positive perception of digital health innovations by both the public and authoritative health institutions converged with the challenges posed by low health and digital literacy levels? This article uses the concept of biomedicalization to encompass the multisited and multidirectional health transformation processes in Turkey. By cultivating a technology-friendly environment, the nation is nurturing (bio)digital citizens through the process of biomedicalization. Drawing on a historical narrative of Turkey's digital health transformation, the article posits that the phenomenon of biomedicalization in the country, molded by intricate multidimensional factors at both micro and macro levels, compels policymakers, privacy advocates, and lawmakers to devise effective and sustainable regulations concerning data utilization, protection, and privacy. By investigating these dynamics, the research provides insights into how a country like Turkey navigates the multifaceted aspects of digital health implementation, shedding light on the potential strategies and mechanisms that enable the successful adoption of digital technologies in healthcare despite existing limitations. This contribution to the broader discourse on digital transformation enriches our understanding of the intricacies involved in leveraging technology to enhance healthcare systems, especially in contexts where there are literacy levels might pose.