Health in the treatment follow-up of patients diagnosed hypertensionthe preferences of the organization and the factors affecting their preferences

Objective: Our study aims to determine which health institution patients with hypertension apply to and to reveal the reasons for their preferences. Materials and Methods: Our research is a descriptive study. The study included two hundred eighty-six individuals who applied to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital Cardiology and Family Medicine outpatient clinic. Research data were collected between 01.11.2021 and 01.01.2022. A questionnaire with 20 questions prepared by examining the literature was used as a data collection tool. Results: 60.1% of the participants included in the study were female, and 39.9% were male, with a mean age of 61.53±12.05 (min:22, max:89). 52.4% of the participants have had hypertension for more than ten years. The trust rate of the participants in the family physician was 82.9%. The trust in the family physician was found to be significantly higher at the age of 60 and above, at the level of pre-high school education (p<0.05). Participants who received the diagnosis of hypertension from their family doctor use their preference as a family health center in their follow-up. Participants with prehigh school education levels apply significantly more to family medicine for hypertension follow-up and to university hospitals significantly less. Patients diagnosed with hypertension by their family doctor and over 60 years old apply significantly more to family medicine for hypertension follow-up (p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of our study group trusts the family physician and finds the treatments of the family physician compelling. It is effective for patients to prefer secondary and tertiary health institutions in their treatment follow-ups, especially university hospitals, where echocardiography is related to hypertension, blood pressure Holter measurement, advanced imaging 53 examinations, and the possibility of inpatient treatment when necessary. The lack of these options in primary care shows that choosing secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions is not physician-oriented but related to the lack of facilities. In summary, hypertension follow-up in primary health care services will be possible with improving primary care physicians' knowledge, skills, and qualifications, ensuring the trust of the society in the family physician, and enhancing physical and medical conditions of family health centers. Keywords: Hypertension, Trust in Family Physician, Health Center Preference