The Hospital Selection Preferences of Refugee Patients and Local Patients: A Comparative Case Study in Turkey

This study aims to investigate whether there are differences between criteria affecting hospital preferences of refugee patients and local patients in countries they migrated to due to war. In addition, whether differences between refugee patients and local patients in terms of demographic characteristics are significant constitutes another aim of study. This study was conducted in a public university hospital in Gaziantep. In this context, data were obtained from local people and refugee patients with temporary protection status who received inpatient treatment in clinics between 01.08.2023 and 30.08.2023 using a face-to-face survey technique regarding criteria affecting hospital preferences. The sample of the study consists of a total of 80 participants, including 40 local residents and 40 patients under temporary protection status. The Best Worst Method was used for pairwise and multiple comparisons of selection criteria. It was observed that there were differences between hospital preferences of local and refugee patients who participated in study. Accordingly, it was seen that the most important criterion affecting hospital preferences of local patients was quality of health services, while criterion of lack of alternatives was most important selection criterion for refugee patients. When we look at sub-selection criteria, it has been determined that while primary preference of local patients in cost criterion is to have social security, first preference element of the refugee population is treatment fees.