The Perceptions of Older Turkish Immigrants of the Healthcare Professionals in their Home and Host Countries

Abstract

The Turkish immigrants use of the health services in Turkey has increased because during their retirement they spend more time in Turkey and also since they are at an older age they have more chronic illnesses. This research is focused on the perceptions of Turkish immigrants living in Europe towards the healthcare professionals in Turkey and their host countries. Qualitative method has been used, whereby Turkish immgirants living in Denmark, Britain (UK) and Germany (a total of 67 individuals over the age of 50) have been interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire.

The immigrants perception about healthcare professionals are found to be two-dimentional. The Turkish physicians are preferred for promt diagnosing and treatment, however the health professionals of the host countries were found to be more humane and reliable. The respondents are frequently treated by their family physicians in their host countries and are generally satisfied. The main dissatisfaction from family pyhsicians are the barriers to advanced investigations and specialist referrals. The respondents use the Turkish health system in order to be examined by specialists and get advanced investigations done. Their perceptions of healthcare professionals are shaped pragmatically at practical level.

Keywords

• health professional,older immigrant

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