The opinion of family physicians on their working conditions in the Turkish health care system

Abstract

In Turkey, family practice residency programs have run since 1985 and there are approximately 800 family physicians and 400 residents today. Family physicians work either in the public or private sectors, but the relative percentages are uncertain. In the public sector they are mostly detailed to the Health Centres, Centres for Mother and Child Care and Family Planning, inpatient health care centres, hospitals of the Turkish Minis- try of Health and the health care centres of the other ministries (1). There is not sufficient information about the working cGHQitions of family..physicians in Turkey (2). There is a need for qualified primary health care physicians in Turkey, but on the other hand, family physicians are seeking a more appropriate working environment.