Evaluation of family medicine practice from the perspective of the doctor and the individual: A research in Bitlis

As in many countries, primary health care services constitute the building block of general health services in Turkey. Primary health care services have a very important place to respond to society's health needs and use health instruments effectively. Primary health care institutions, which constitute the first point of contact for the individual, are responsible for protecting and improving individuals' health and providing continuous and comprehensive services to individuals in line with equity with a holistic approach. With a well-established order in primary health care services, the emergence of diseases can be prevented and the integration of sick individuals into society can be achieved more easily. This study was prepared to reveal the evaluations of the individuals living in Bitlis about the family physicians and the physicians working in the family health center about the family medicine practice. In this study, data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with 433 individuals and 81 family physicians. Two different questionnaire forms were used in the study, and the first questionnaire used evaluates the attitudes of individuals towards family physicians. In the second questionnaire form, the evaluations of the physicians regarding the family medicine practice are investigated. Models and hypotheses created under the research purpose were measured with descriptive research method and survey technique and analyzed with quantitative methods. When the attitudes of individuals towards family physicians are examined, the majority of the participants knew their family physicians and evaluated their approach to them positively, but the frequency of going to family medicine was generally low. It was determined that individuals who went to family physicians were generally satisfied with their family physicians and did not change their family physicians. In addition, it has been determined that most individuals are satisfied with the communication of family physicians with them and prefer family physicians because family health centers are close to them. According to the findings, it was concluded that the majority of young participants had a low level of knowledge about the family medicine system and family physicians. There was a significant difference in the attitudes of individuals towards family physicians according to marital status, getting to know the family physician, recommending the family physician, age, education level, number of children, and income status. There was no significant difference between individuals' attitudes towards family physicians, gender, preference for physicians other than family physicians, and the district they live in. Family physicians also generally evaluated the patients' approach to themselves positively. More than half of the family physicians stated that they chose family medicine because of the high salary they received. It has been concluded that a high majority of physicians want to choose family medicine again when there is a situation of re-selection. In addition, more than half of the family physicians stated that they disagreed with the idea that they chose family medicine because the family medicine system provides social benefits. A significant difference was found in the evaluations of family physicians regarding family medicine practice, according to the number of people affiliated with the family physician. According to age, type of institution worked before the family health center and the districts where the family health center is located, there was no significant difference in the evaluations of family physicians regarding family medicine practice. Keywords : Primary Health Care Services, Family Medicine, Bitlis