Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants and Turkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study

Abstract

This study examines the communication experiences of Turkish immigrants in Germany, focusing on two groups: those residing in Germany for more than 10 years and those residing there for less than 10 years. Data were gathered through face-to-face and online interviews with each group’s Turkish participants. The interview questions were based on theoretical models of doctor-patient communication using comparative content evaluation with descriptive and directed qualitative analysis. Turkish individuals living in Germany for over ten years have reported communicating better with doctors and becoming familiar with the healthcare system. This enables more effective health discussions and easier appointment and treatment plan navigation. However, cultural challenges persist in this regard. Those in Germany for less than 10 years face greater obstacles, particularly with language. They struggle to understand medical terminology and doctors’ recommendations, which limits their healthcare benefits. Their unfamiliarity with the system also complicates appointments and prescriptions. The analysis revealed that while longer residency improves doctor communication, significant challenges remain in the doctor-patient relationship, with cultural differences and language barriers affecting healthcare quality, particularly among newer immigrants.

Keywords

• Doctor-patient communication
• Turkish immigrants
• language barriers
• cultural differences
• duration of residence

Almanya’daki Türk göçmenler ve Türk kökenli bireyler arasında doktor–hasta iletişimi: Karşılaştırmalı nitel bir çalışma

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Almanya’daki Türk göçmenlerin iletişim deneyimlerini incelemekte ve iki gruba odaklanmaktadır: orada on yıldan fazla ikamet edenler ve on yıldan az ikamet edenler. Veriler, her iki gruptan Türk katılımcılarla yapılan yüz yüze ve çevrimiçi görüşmelerle toplanmıştır. Görüşme soruları, karşılaştırmalı içerik değerlendirmesiyle, betimleyici ve yönlendirilmiş nitel analiz kullanılarak doktor-hasta iletişimiyle ilgili kuramsal modellere dayandırılmıştır. Almanya’da on yıldan fazla kalan Türkler, doktorlarla daha iyi iletişim kurduklarını, dil engellerini aştıklarını ve sağlık sistemine aşina olduklarını bildirmektedirler. Bu durum, sağlık konularında daha etkili görüşmeler yapılmasını ve randevular ile tedavi planlarında daha kolay yol alınmasını sağlamaktadır. Ancak, bu konuda kültürel zorluklar devam etmektedir. Almanya’da on yıldan az kalanlar ise özellikle dil konusunda daha büyük engellerle karşılaşmaktadır. Tıbbi terminolojiyi ve doktorların önerilerini anlamakta zorlanmakta, bu da sağlık hizmetlerinden yararlanmalarını kısıtlamaktadır. Sistemi tanımamaları da randevu alma ve reçete temini gibi konuları daha da karmaşık hale getirmektedir. Analizler, uzun süreli ikametin doktorla iletişimi geliştirdiğini ortaya koyarken, doktor-hasta ilişkisinde kültürel farklılıklar ve dil engelleri nedeniyle özellikle yeni göçmenlerde sağlık hizmetlerinin kalitesini etkileyen önemli zorlukların devam ettiğini göstermiştir.

Keywords

• Doktor-hasta iletişimi
• Türk göçmenler
• dil engelleri
• kültürel farklılıklar
• ikamet süresi

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