The effect of health transformation policies on the resident physicians' perception of the medical profession in Turkey

Abstract

Although the new changes in the health system in Turkey has resulted in positive implications with respect to the groups that use the healthcare services, it has been singled out for criticism by the professional associations because of its erosive consequences particularly for the medical profession as a whole. The purpose of this study is to explain how the health transformation policies and practices influenced the working conditions and perceptions of the resident physicians in Turkey with regard to the medical profession. A qualitative research design was employed, and the data was collected through document analysis and focus group interview. The common findings highlight that the new practices have had an aggravated effect on the working conditions of the resident physicians, which has resulted in several contentious issues. These include the increased workload, insufficient training and development, economic and social conditions and a heightened number of violent acts against physicians. Negatively, these influence the motivation of the physicians and their perception of the medical profession. This finding suggests that the medical profession is able to be studied as an appropriate case for the phenomenon of deprofessionalization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Pay for performance (P4P) and estrangement: A mixed-method study on the physicians’ perceptions of the influence of a new reimbursement system on themselves as professionals, their moral stances, and their working and private lives

“…Several studies and reports from Turkey have revealed similar ndings (3,35,39,57). For example, Erdem and Atalay found that residents perceive that the time they can spare for social activities, friends and family members has been restricted severely due to excessive workload because of health transformation policies in Turkey (39). As known, the medical profession permeates all layers of one's life, and the values intrinsic to the medicine practice are combined with the person's moral stance.…”

“…The ndings suggest that the physicians think that the effect of P4P is not limited to their professional life, but also spreads to their private and social lives. Several studies and reports from Turkey have revealed similar ndings (3,35,39,57). For example, Erdem and Atalay found that residents perceive that the time they can spare for social activities, friends and family members has been restricted severely due to excessive workload because of health transformation policies in Turkey (39).…”

“…Rivalry harmed open communication, and solidarity among healthcare professionals and had damaging effects on peace at work (3,38). Lastly, physicians and dentists working in public and university hospitals complain about not being able to improve themselves professionally because they lack necessary time and resources to be engaged in such activities (34,39).…”

Physician perspectives on the implications of the diagnosis‐related groups for medical practice in Turkey: A qualitative study

“…While the impact of the health care reform in Turkey on the working conditions of physicians has been subjected to extensive research, 30 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 the research on the physician perceptions of the current health care system in Turkey is limited. 39 , 41 Moreover, there is a gap in the literature on physician perceptions about the hospital reimbursement models in Turkey – an issue which has been subjected to research in different countries. 22 , 24 , 25 , 42 Thus, this study aims to contribute to the literature on physician perceptions of the health care reform in Turkey by focussing on the DRG as a policy that shapes the medical practice of physicians.…”

Türkiye'de Sağlıkta Dönüşüm Üzerine Tarihsel Bakış

“…introduced with the SDP were deprived of job security, the working conditions became more difficult (37), and the work peace was deteriorated due to the different wages (despite doing the same job) paid to the employees (38). It is emphasized that the new practice negatively affects working conditions such as increasing the workload of employees, insufficient education and personal development, and worsening economic and social conditions (39).…”