Socioeconomic Inequalities in Digital Health in Türkiye: An OECD-Based Qualitative Analysis

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: Global Academic Perspective in Social Sciences, 53 - 75, 28.10.2025

Ersin Kocaman

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine how socioeconomic inequalities affect digital health across different population groups in Türkiye. A qualitative research approach using document analysis was adopted in the study. The official report “OECD Economic Survey: Türkiye 2025” was selected as the main analysis source. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis using MAXQADA 2024 Analytics Pro and Microsoft Excel software programs. 5 themes, 15 categories and 24 codes were generated for the study regarding socioeconomic determinants that may affect digital health. Five main areas affecting digital health were identified, focusing on socioeconomic inequality: income inequality and limited redistribution, structural barriers to women's labor force participation, lifelong learning and skills, limited diffusion of technology adoption and innovation and key socioeconomic indicators. International comparisons indicate that similar barriers exist in other countries with high socioeconomic inequality. By evaluating the OECD Economic Survey: Türkiye 2025 with a qualitative approach, the study offers an original contribution to the literature on how socioeconomic inequalities affect the digital health transformation in Türkiye. The study's conclusions highlight the need to reform the tax and transfer system, develop gender-based social programs, expand access to digital skills training, foster innovation and increase public investment in healthcare. Implementing these strategies will increase the comprehensiveness of digital health services, narrow the digital divide and ensure a more equitable distribution of technological benefits across the population.

Keywords

digital health , socioeconomic inequality , OECD , Türkiye , qualitative research

Türkiye'de Dijital Sağlıkta Sosyoekonomik Eşitsizlikler: OECD Tabanlı Nitel Bir Analiz

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı Türkiye'de sosyoekonomik eşitsizliklerin farklı nüfus grupları için dijital sağlığı nasıl etkilediğini belirlemektir. Çalışmada, doküman incelemesi yönteminin kullanıldığı nitel bir araştırma yaklaşımı benimsenmiştir. “OECD Ekonomik Araştırmaları: Türkiye 2025” resmi raporu temel analiz kaynağı olarak seçilmiştir. İçerik analizi yöntemi ile gerçekleştirilen veri analizinde MAXQADA 2024 Analytics Pro ve Microsoft Excel yazılım programları kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada, dijital sağlığı etkileyebilecek sosyoekonomik belirleyicilere ilişkin 5 tema 15 kategori ve 24 kod oluşturulmuştur. Gelir eşitsizliği ve sınırlı yeniden dağıtım, kadınların işgücüne katılımında yapısal engeller, yaşam boyu öğrenme ve beceriler, teknoloji benimsemesi ve inovasyonun sınırlı yayılımı ve temel sosyoekonomik göstergeler sosyoekonomik eşitsizlik odağında dijital sağlığı etkileyen beş ana alan olarak belirlenmiştir. Uluslararası karşılaştırmalar benzer engellerin, yüksek sosyoekonomik eşitsizliğe sahip diğer ülkelerde de bulunduğunu göstermektedir. OECD Ekonomik Araştırması: Türkiye 2025'i nitel bir yaklaşımla değerlendiren çalışma, sosyoekonomik eşitsizliklerin Türkiye'de dijital sağlık dönüşümünü nasıl etkilediği konusunda literatüre özgün bir katkı sunmaktadır. Çalışma sonuçları, vergi ve transfer sistemi reformu, cinsiyete dayalı sosyal programların geliştirilmesi, dijital beceri eğitimine erişimin genişletilmesi, inovasyonun teşvik edilmesi ve sağlık hizmetlerine kamu yatırımlarının artırılması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır. Bu stratejilerin uygulanması, dijital sağlık hizmetlerinin kapsayıcılığını artıracak, dijital uçurumu azaltacak ve teknolojik faydaların nüfus arasında daha adil dağıtılmasını sağlayacaktır.

Keywords

dijital sağlık , sosyoekonomik eşitsizlik , OECD , Türkiye , nitel araştırma

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