Evaluation of Patients’ Behavior with Bleeding Disorder in Preferring Primary Health Care Centre for Follow-Up and Treatment

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the behaviors of patients who are members of the hemophilia association due to bleeding disorder, and due to health problems related to their diseases preferring primary health care institutions first, and to determine the reasons if they do not. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The universe of the study was composed of hemophilia patients who are members of the hemophilia association living in Tekirdağ province (n=48). In the study face to face questionnaire was applied. People were asked about their first medical institutions in their complaints about their illness. The patients were asked about their age, gender, working status, educational status, types of bleeding disorders, severity and history of diseases. Results: Nobody preferred the primary health care institution for his complaints about bleeding disorder. Of the participants, 42.9% (n=18) stated that family physicians do not have sufficient information about this disease as the reason for not choosing primary health care institution. Conclusion: The trust of patients with bleeding disorders to family physicians is not sufficient. Regardless of the severity, type and prophylactic drug use of their disease, they do not prefer primary health care institution for their follow-up and treatment. Keywords: hemophilia, bleeding, family practice