Health tourism policy in Türkiye: Legal frameworks and governance analysis in the international context (2015–2025)

Health tourism has emerged as a strategic governance priority worldwide, with Türkiye positioning itself as one of the leading global destinations for international patients. This study critically examines the legal and policy frameworks shaping Türkiye's health tourism sector between 2015 and 2025 and empirically maps the discursive structures of its governance through qualitative content analysis. A two-phase mixed qualitative methodology was applied: Phase 1 consisted of a systematic documentary review of national legislation, ministerial strategies, and international policy instruments; Phase 2 applied a structured coding scheme to sixteen selected national and international documents using MAXQDA 24 software, generating co-occurrence network maps and a code matrix browser. The findings confirm a dual narrative: while Türkiye has developed a comprehensive centralized regulatory architecture—including the establishment of USHAS, telemedicine regulation, and minimum price controls—persistent structural gaps remain in transparency, equity safeguards, and genuine alignment with international normative frameworks. The qualitative coding reveals that governance and regulatory enforcement dominate Türkiye's policy discourse, while patient rights, ethical dimensions, and international alignment remain peripheral. This configuration is inconsistent with the requirements for sustainable health tourism governance. The study contributes structured insights for policymakers seeking to balance economic opportunity with transparency, equity, and long-term institutional credibility.