2026 Health Trends Revealed: Artificial Intelligence Will Facilitate the International Patient Process

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ERA HAS STARTED IN HEALTH TOURISM WITH HOP HEALTH

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ERA HAS STARTED

In 2025, the number of people visiting Turkey to receive health services will reach 2.5 million according to TUIK data, as reflected in the official records of International Health Services Inc. (USHAŞ). The number of patients focused on direct treatment was 1.4 million and the health tourism revenue generated exceeded 3 million. Stating that these figures show Türkiye's strong growth in health tourism and strengthening its position as one of Europe's leading health centers, HOP Health CEO Eyüp Kartal said, "It is now known worldwide that Turkey is a global center in plastic surgery, hair transplantation and dental treatments. In addition, cardiology, oncology and in vitro fertilization treatment are among the areas in high demand. Healthy lifestyle treatments and advanced medical treatments other than aesthetics also reveal the continuity and development potential of health tourism in Turkey." he says.

Artificial intelligence will facilitate the international patient process

Sharing his 2026 expectations for the health tourism ecosystem, Kartal says that patients are no longer looking for just 'treatment' but a perfect blend of advanced technology, affordable prices and high-level experience. Stating that several important trends that will affect the course of cross-border healthcare services will emerge in 2026 and that technological developments enable virtual hospital models that provide remote expert opinion and patient monitoring in the early stages of patients' medical journey, Kartal said, "Artificial intelligence is preparing to transform health tourism, improve diagnosis, and facilitate the entire international patient process from cross-border triage and appointment planning to laboratory result analysis and post-operative care management, improving the quality of care. At this point, with HOP Health, we bring health tourism together with innovative solutions and artificial intelligence integration." "We are adapting patient management to the pace of the digitalizing world," he says.

Personalized medical services are gaining vital importance

Emphasizing that personalized medical services go beyond general treatment approaches, Kartal said, thanks to the integration of genetic tests and personalized AI analyses; He states that responses to surgical or pharmacological interventions can be predicted. Kartal states that this technological capability enables the creation of 'Personal AI Supported' special care plans that accelerate recovery times and minimize side effects. Kartal summarizes this transformation with the following words: "Our aim is to present the patient journey at a transparent, error-free and completely personalized standard. With our artificial intelligence-supported system, we both increase the quality of treatment and adapt the process to the speed of the digitalizing world."

This innovative solution; It analyzes applications from all over the world and instantly directs patients to the right treatment group. The system, which provides the most accurate information flow by using only the approved data library in the communication process, also automates treatment-specific pre-evaluation questions and document collection processes. Thus, while establishing an uninterrupted, fast and consistent communication bridge 24/7, it reduces operational dependency and adapts the patient experience to the pace of the digitalizing world.

“We are working to carry Turkey's strong position even further”

As HOP Health, the new generation health platform that brings together doctors and patients from all over the world, it offers a world-class physician staff that has proven their expertise, hospitals and clinics with advanced technological infrastructure, Turkey's cultural riches and clients. Stating that they safely provide services to patients from all corners of the world with their special personalized services, Kartal continues his words as follows: "As HOP Health, our aim is to ensure that our clients go through their 'health journey' in a transparent, understandable and high quality standard. We work only with licensed, accredited clinics and doctors who are experts in their fields; we help eliminate the obstacles between the patient and the doctor." It is a technology platform focused on health tourism that brings together specialist physicians.HOP Health brings together treatment offers from accredited hospitals and clinics under one roof; It provides planning and management of the entire process by offering personalized planning, transparent pricing and reliable service. HOP Health, which has a wide ecosystem that can reach users, from individual actors to health tourism companies, from hotels to airline companies, offers its partners the opportunity to participate in health tourism and expand their networks through collaborations.