EVALUATION OF FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE FROM THE INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVE: A RESEARCH IN BITLIS

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to reveal the evaluations of individuals living in Bitlis about family physicians and family medicine practice and to determine the differences in demographic information. Method: Models and hypotheses created in accordance with the purpose of the research were analyzed with quantitative methods. The research data were obtained through a face-to-face questionnaire by interviewing 433 people. Because of the normal distribution of the data, analyzes were performed using parametric tests. A cross-sectional study was conducted and data were collected in March-April 2019. Descriptive statistics were included and Anova and independent sample t-tests were used to detect differences. Results: When the attitudes of the participants towards family physicians are examined; it was determined that the majority of them 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 they preferred physicians other than these physicians, although they did not change or do not intend to change their family physician. In addition, it was determined that the majority of the participants preferred family physicians because the family health centers were close to them. According to the findings, it was concluded that the attitude levels of the participants who were younger, high school graduates and had no children were statistically significantly lower than the others. According to the findings, it was concluded that the attitude levels of the young, high school graduates, and non-children were statistically significantly lower than the others; those who are married, recommend a family doctor and have a higher income than others have higher attitude levels. Conclusions: In order to increase the rate of going to the family doctor in case of any illness and to create a healthy referral chain, the reasons for not going to the family doctor should be investigated first. Thus, it will be possible for the health system to work effectively and reduce the burden of secondary and tertiary health institutions.