Statement on Unnecessary Hospital Visits and Healthcare Services in Istanbul
While it was determined that one person in Istanbul applied to hospitals 337 times in a single year, Provincial Health Director Güner issued warnings regarding the efficient use of healthcare services.
Istanbul Provincial Health Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner made important assessments regarding healthcare services and unnecessary hospital visits in the city. It was announced that individuals who applied to hospitals hundreds of times in a year due to conditions such as anxiety and COPD were guided through specialists.
Examination Data for the First Eight Months of the Year
Istanbul Provincial Health Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner stated that Istanbul is the health capital of the world and noted that a total of 148 million examinations were carried out in the first 8 months of this year.
It was emphasized that citizens should benefit from preventive health services before losing their health, and that the effective use of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services is of great importance.
The Role of Family Physicians in the Healthcare Process
Touching upon the critical importance of family physicians in the health processes of Istanbul residents, Güner stated that family physicians are health consultants who know the patient and their family, as well as their previous illnesses.
It was reported that hospital visits made unnecessarily in Istanbul can make it difficult for those in genuine need to access healthcare services.
Cases of Visiting the Hospital Hundreds of Times
It was conveyed that physicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists met with a citizen who applied to Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 316 times in one year. It was stated that the applications of this individual, who had a fear of hypertension due to anxiety, were reduced as a result of persuasion efforts.
Additionally, it was determined that another patient, who felt shortness of breath due to COPD and could not manage their anxiety, felt compelled to apply to the hospital 337 times in a year.
Specialist Guidance and the New Healthcare Model
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güner noted that citizens may have fears and reservations, that these individuals should first apply to family physicians, and that family physicians can refer them to specialist doctors when necessary.
It was stated that under the 'Protecting, Producing, Developing Health Model' of Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, the aim is to use healthcare services more effectively.