Family Medicine and Health Performance Management
Family medicine plays a critical role in ensuring individuals have access to healthcare services. Recently, the innovations brought by the Family Medicine Contract and Payment Regulation have led to significant discussions between family physicians and healthcare professionals. In this article, we will discuss the effects of this regulation and the developments in the family medicine system.
Changes Introduced by the Regulation
With the Family Physician Contract and Payment Regulation, there have been major changes in the workload and income structure of healthcare professionals. These changes directly affect the service provision of family physicians. In particular, the adoption of a performance-based payment system has led to discussions by questioning the relationship between physicians and patients and the quality of healthcare services.
Effects of the Performance System
Performance system, although it aims to increase the quality of health services, it also brings with it some negative side effects. The fact that doctors see patients as customers and receive additional payments according to their satisfaction levels damages professional ethics and the patient-doctor relationship. This situation reduces the quality of health services and threatens the environment of trust.
- Motivation of Physicians: Performance systems motivate some physicians while suppressing others and leading to job dissatisfaction.
- Patient Satisfaction: When doctors see patients as just numbers, it damages the relationship of trust and negatively affects patient satisfaction.
- Health Inequality: Performance-based systems increase income disparities among certain groups and deepen health inequalities.
Physicians' Reactions and Actions
Family physicians are organizing work stoppages to voice their reactions to the innovations brought by the regulation. These actions are important in ensuring the changes necessary for the sustainability of the health system. The actions initiated by physicians with slogans such as “Health is a right, it cannot be sold” and “Minister resign” reveal the difficulties experienced by health workers.
Physicians' Requests
Family physicians are making various demands for the withdrawal of the regulation and the improvement of health services. These demands are shaped in a way that will benefit both physicians and patients. Here are some important demands:
- Fair Compensation: A fair compensation system needs to be established so that physicians can receive compensation for their efforts.
- Job Security: Ensuring job security for physicians will increase the quality of health services.
- Safe Working Environment: The fact that healthcare professionals work in a safe environment directly affects the quality of service.
As a result
For the sustainability of the family physician system, it is of great importance to review the changes in the regulation and to take into account the demands of healthcare professionals. Increasing the quality of healthcare services and ensuring the motivation of physicians will only be possible with a fair and sustainable system. Solving the difficulties experienced by family physicians and healthcare professionals is of critical importance for the protection of public health.
