What Happens After You Contact a Hospital in Turkey?

After an international patient contacts a hospital, many people wonder what happens after you contact a hospital in this situation. The case is usually reviewed in several stages. The hospital first collects basic information and medical records, then sends the case to the appropriate department or specialist.

The exact process depends on the hospital, diagnosis and proposed treatment. Complete records help the medical team decide whether further tests are needed and which specialist should assess the patient before travel.

What Happens After You Contact a Hospital?

Step 1: Contact the hospital

International patients can usually contact a hospital through an online form, email, telephone or a messaging service such as WhatsApp.

The hospital may ask for:

• the main diagnosis or medical concern
• current symptoms
• previous treatments or operations
• age
• country of residence
• preferred contact details

Patients may also be asked to submit their available medical records during the first contact. Clear and accurate information helps the hospital send the inquiry to the correct department.

Step 2: Send your medical records

The hospital will request the documents needed for a preliminary medical review. Depending on the condition, these may include:

• consultation notes
• MRI, CT or PET-CT reports
• original imaging files
• pathology or biopsy reports
• laboratory results
• operative reports
• previous treatment summaries
• a current medication list

These records help the specialist understand the diagnosis, previous care and current condition before discussing possible treatment options.

Missing documents do not always prevent the review. However, the hospital may request further reports, images or test results before the specialist can provide a useful opinion.

Step 3: The hospital reviews your case

Once the records have been received, the International Patient Department usually checks the documents and forwards them to the relevant medical team.

The review may determine:

• whether the available information is sufficient
• which specialty should manage the case
• whether updated imaging or laboratory tests are required
• whether more than one specialist should be involved

A single doctor may review a straightforward case. Cancer, cardiovascular disease and other complex conditions may require assessment by several departments.

This process allows the hospital to match the patient with a specialist whose experience is relevant to the diagnosis. Any opinion given before travel remains preliminary and may change after an in-person examination or additional testing.

Step 4: The hospital assigns the appropriate specialist

After reviewing the medical records, the hospital decides which department and specialist should assess the case.

Patients do not always need to choose a doctor before contacting the hospital. The medical team can first review the diagnosis, test results and treatment history, then direct the case to a physician with relevant experience.

For example:

• a patient with a suspected breast tumour may be referred to breast surgery, medical oncology or both
• a patient with knee pain may be assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon who focuses on sports injuries or joint replacement
• a patient considering rhinoplasty may be referred to a surgeon experienced in nasal and facial procedures

The specialist selected depends on the diagnosis, available findings and proposed treatment.

Step 5: The specialist provides a preliminary evaluation

After reviewing the records, the specialist may provide an initial medical opinion based on the available information.

The hospital may:

• discuss a possible treatment approach
• request more recent or complete records
• recommend additional tests
• suggest consultation with another specialist
• explain that further information is needed before an opinion can be given

This evaluation is preliminary. A final diagnosis and treatment plan usually require an in-person examination and, when necessary, additional investigations.

Step 6: Additional tests may be requested

Further tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis, assess the current condition or determine whether a proposed treatment is suitable.

The specialist may request updated imaging, laboratory tests or pathology review if previous results are incomplete, outdated or insufficient for treatment planning.

Additional investigations may also be needed to assess surgical risks or clarify findings before treatment begins.

Why might the hospital request more information?

The hospital may ask for further documents when:

• original imaging files are missing
• pathology or biopsy reports have not been provided
• laboratory results are outdated
• previous treatment or operative records are incomplete
• translated reports do not contain enough detail
• medication or procedure information requires clarification

Submitting complete, clearly labelled records can reduce repeated requests and make the review process more efficient.

What happens if several specialists need to review the case?

Some conditions require assessment by more than one department.

Cancer care, for example, may involve surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology. Complex cardiovascular, orthopaedic or reconstructive cases may also require input from several specialists.

The hospital may coordinate these reviews so that the proposed plan reflects the findings of the relevant medical team. The final recommendation depends on the diagnosis, test results, previous treatment, general health and in-person specialist assessment.

Step 7: Receive a preliminary treatment plan

After reviewing the medical records, the hospital may provide an initial treatment recommendation based on the available information.

Depending on the case, this may include:

• the proposed treatment approach
• whether surgical or non-surgical care may be considered
• the estimated treatment period
• the expected hospital stay
• whether a companion may be helpful
• an approximate cost estimate, when available

This plan is preliminary. The diagnosis, treatment, duration and cost may change after an in-person examination or additional testing.

Step 8: Plan your visit

Once the initial review is complete, the International Patient Department may help organise the visit.

Support may include:

• scheduling consultations
• coordinating proposed treatment dates
• arranging interpreter services
• providing airport transfer information
• sharing accommodation options
• explaining which documents to bring

Patients should confirm visa requirements, travel dates and appointments before making non-refundable arrangements.

Step 9: Attend your first hospital appointment

The first visit allows the specialist to examine the patient and confirm the information provided before travel.

The appointment may involve:

• hospital registration
• a specialist consultation
• review of symptoms and medical history
• a physical examination
• review of previous records and imaging
• further laboratory or imaging tests

Some treatment plans can be confirmed during the first consultation. Complex cases may require additional tests or assessment by other specialists.

Step 10: Confirm the final diagnosis and treatment plan

The final plan is generally confirmed after the in-person evaluation.

The specialist may consider:

• medical history
• physical examination findings
• imaging studies
• laboratory results
• pathology reports
• tests completed after arrival

The recommended treatment depends on the confirmed diagnosis, disease severity, previous care, general health, test results and the patient’s treatment goals.

Before travelling for treatment

Knowing what happens after you contact a hospital allows international patients to prepare the necessary documents and understand each stage of the evaluation process before travelling.

At Avicenna International Hospital, the medical team reviews the available records to identify the appropriate specialist and provide a preliminary treatment recommendation when possible. The final diagnosis and treatment plan are usually confirmed after an in-person examination and any necessary tests.

Frequently asked questions