Traditional and Complementary Medicine in Health Tourism: Cupping and Leech Therapy Case from Kayseri

Öz

The primary objective of this research is to investigate the potential of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) practices, especially cupping and leech therapy, in the context of health tourism. The research aims to ascertain the extent of tourist mobility on national and international levels related to these two practices and identify potential future trends in this field. First, a literature review was undertaken to figure out the role of cupping and leech therapies in health tourism, which informed the development of the qualitative study research design. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview was employed to collect data from twelve health professionals, mostly working in T&CM units within hospitals in Kayseri. Findings obtained after content analysis, demonstrate a growing interest in cupping and leech therapy as T&CM practices in health tourism, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the study noted that most health tourists coming to Kayseri for these therapies are expatriates or regional tourists rather than international tourists traveling specifically for these treatments. Based on findings, the study suggests that growth in this area depends on better promotion of these therapies which can also be seen as intangible cultural heritage. Additionally, the findings indicate that T&CM practices, including acupuncture, ozone therapy, homeopathy, and phytotherapy, could have significant potential to contribute to the future development of health tourism.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Health Tourism
• Traditional and Complementary Medicine
• Cupping
• Leech Therapy
• Kayseri

Sağlık Turizminde Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp: Kupa ve Sülük Uygulamaları Kayseri Örneği

Öz

Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, başta kupa (hacamat) ve sülük tedavileri olmak üzere, geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamalarının sağlık turizmi bağlamındaki potansiyelini araştırmaktır. Araştırma, bu iki uygulamayla ilgili ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde turist hareketliliğinin boyutunu tespit etmeyi ve bu alanda gelecekteki potansiyel eğilimleri belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. İlk olarak, kupa ve sülük tedavilerinin sağlık turizmindeki rolünü belirlemek için literatür taraması yapılmış ve buna dayalı olarak nitel araştırma tasarımı geliştirilmiştir. Daha sonra, çoğunluğu Kayseri'deki hastanelerin geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp (GETAT) birimlerinde çalışan on iki sağlık profesyonelinden yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği ile birincil veri toplanmıştır. İçerik analizi sonrasında elde edilen bulgular, özellikle COVID-19 pandemisi sonrasında sağlık turizminde geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamaları olan kupa ve sülük tedavilerine artan bir ilgi olduğunu göstermektedir. Ancak, bu tedaviler için Kayseri'ye gelen sağlık turistlerinin çoğunun, bu tedaviler için özellikle seyahat eden uluslararası turistlerden ziyade, gurbetçiler veya yerli turistler olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bulgulara dayanarak, bu alandaki gelişmenin, somut olmayan kültürel miras olarak da görülebilecek bu iki terapinin daha iyi tanıtılmasına bağlı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca bulgular, akupunktur, ozon tedavisi, homeopati ve fitoterapi gibi geleneksel ve tamamlayıcı tıp uygulamalarının da sağlık turizminin gelişimine katkı sağlayabilecek önemli potansiyele sahip olduğunu göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sağlık Turizmi
• Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp
• Hacamat
• Sülük Terapisi
• Kayseri

Kaynakça

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