Why is the Number of Physicians Decreasing While the Number of Family Health Centers Increases? There Are Buildings, But No Physicians!

Changes in Family Medicine and Health System

In recent years in Turkey family medicine practices play an important role in the provision of health services. Family physicians work to meet the health needs of individuals, prevent diseases and facilitate access to health services. However, recent population growth ve decrease in the number of family doctors, causes serious problems in the health system.

Population per Family Physician

According to the statements of Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu, some steps have been taken towards the goal of reducing the population of family physicians. However, Turkish Medical Association According to the statements made by the Family Medicine Branch (TTB-AHEK), there has been a decrease in the number of family physicians. While there were 2023 Family Health Centers (ASM) in 8, it is predicted that this number will increase to 163 by 2025. However, the decrease in the number of family physicians from 8 to 230 during this process negatively affects the functioning of the health system.

Population Ratio to Family Physicians

TTB-AHEK expressed its concerns in the questions it addressed to the Ministry of Health by saying, “Are you going to reduce the population per family physician like this?” The increasing population per family physician throughout Turkey threatens the quality of health services. The burden on family physicians, especially in large cities, is quite high. In metropolises like Istanbul, some family physicians have to serve a population of 1 million 350 thousand people.

Family Health Centers Without Nurses

TTB-AHEK has shared important data on recent placements. In Istanbul, while 332 family physicians were placed in December of last year, this month, placements were made to 452 units. However, some of these placements were made as additional units in existing ASMs, while others were made in places without buildings. This situation creates serious disruptions in the provision of health services. In addition, the information that around 200 ASMs are operating without nurses further reduces the quality of health services.

The Importance of Family Medicine Practices

Family medicine practices are of great importance in terms of continuously monitoring the health status of individuals, making early diagnosis and managing treatment processes. Family physicians; prevent diseases, health screenings and raising awareness among individuals about health. However, the lack of a sufficient number of family physicians and health personnel reduces the effectiveness of these services.

Solution Suggestions and Future Perspective

In order to overcome these problems in the health system, family medicine practices must first be strengthened. In this context, family doctor Increasing the number of family physicians, employing healthcare personnel more effectively and strengthening existing family physicians in terms of equipment are of great importance. In addition, reducing the ratio of family physicians to reasonable levels will increase the quality of healthcare services. In the long term, these steps will also contribute greatly to protecting and developing public health.

As a result

In Turkey, family medicine practices constitute one of the cornerstones of the health system. However, the high population of family physicians and the lack of healthcare personnel reduce the effectiveness of this system. The measures to be taken and regulations to be made by the Ministry of Health in this regard will increase the quality of health services and protect public health. In this context, strengthening family medicine practices is of critical importance for both individual health and the general health system.

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