Understanding Economic Exploitation in Turkish Oncology Practices

A Different Variant of Economic Exploitation in Oncology Practice: Medical Board Applications in Türkiye

New research by A. Garbioğlu and D. Bayır Garbioğlu examines economic exploitation in oncology through the lens of medical board applications in Türkiye, identifying systemic incentives that can compromise patient care and amplify financial harm.

The study finds that economic exploitation in oncology appears in forms ranging from unnecessary procedures to inflated treatment costs, often driven by conflicts of interest between oncologists and pharmaceutical companies. These relationships can influence clinical decisions, particularly in oncology where treatment choices and drug regimens are complex and costly.

The authors argue that medical board applications in Türkiye can unintentionally reinforce these dynamics. Rather than consistently prioritizing patient welfare, some processes and standards may enable or fail to check financially motivated practices, creating a gap between professional oversight and patient protection.

Researchers used a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews with oncologists, patients, and healthcare administrators to map patterns of behavior and perception. The qualitative and quantitative data together highlight recurring pressures on clinicians, financial incentives linked to industry relationships, and patient experiences of economic burden.

The societal consequences are significant. Economic exploitation in cancer care contributes to rising out-of-pocket costs, increased health disparities, and erosion of trust in medical institutions. Patients facing severe financial strain may delay care or withhold information, undermining clinical decision-making and health outcomes.

To address these problems, the authors recommend stricter regulation of interactions between clinicians and pharmaceutical companies, reforms to medical board application processes to foreground patient welfare, and enhanced ethics training within oncology education. Strengthening patient advocacy and transparency about treatment options are also cited as critical measures to reduce vulnerability to commercially driven care.

The study calls on policymakers, medical boards, and healthcare providers to collaborate on reforms that realign incentives with patient-centered care. Implementing the proposed safeguards could help restore trust in oncology practice and protect patients from exploitative economic practices.

Reference: Garbioğlu A., Bayır Garbioğlu D. A different variant of economic exploitation in oncology practice: medical board applications in Türkiye. BMC Health Services Research (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-13951-8