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

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 69, 81 - 100, 12.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452
https://izlik.org/JA66ED47FE

Öz

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.

Kaynakça

  • Ahmed, R. (2012). Interpersonal health communication: An ecological perspective. In R. Obregón & S. Waisbord (Eds.), The handbook of global health communication (pp. 144–176). John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
  • Ahmed, S., Lee, S., Shommu, N. S., Rumana, N., & Turin, T. C. (2017). Experiences of communication barriers between physicians and immigrant patients: A systematic review and thematic synthesis. Patient Experience Journal, 4(1), 122–140. google scholar
  • Assarroudi, A., Nabavi, H., Armat, M. R., Ebadi, A., & Vaismoradi, M. (2018). Directed qualitative content analysis: The description and elaboration of underpinning methods and data analysis process. Journal of Research in Nursing, 23(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10. 1177/1744987117741667 google scholar
  • Bade, K. J. (2003). Migration in European history (A. Brown, Trans.). John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
  • Bieber, C., Gschwendtner, K., Müller, N., & Eich, W. (2016). Partizipative Entscheidungsfindung (PEF) – Patient und Arzt als Team. PPmP – Psychotherapie · Psychosomatik · Medizinische Psychologie, 66(5), 195–207. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-105277 google scholar
  • Borde, T., David, M., & Kentenich, H. (2002). Erwartungen und Zufriedenheit deutscher und türkischsprachiger Patientinnen im Krankenhaus: Eine vergleichende Befragung in einer Berliner Frauenklinik. Das Gesundheitswesen, 64(8–9), 476–485. https://doi.org/10. 1055/s-2002-33775 google scholar
  • Charavel, M., Brémond, A., Moumjid-Ferdjaoui, N., Mignotte, H., & Carrère, M. O. (2001). Shared decision-making in question. PsychoOncology, 10(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.502 google scholar
  • Christen, D., & Balthasar, A. (2017). Approaches to improve the interaction between general practitioners and migrants: A systematic review of international literature. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 13(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1108/ IJMHSC-10-2015-0037 google scholar
  • Comte, E. (2017). The history of the European migration regime: Germany’s strategic hegemony. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/ 9781315163048 google scholar
  • Csöff, R.-M., Macassa, G., & Lindert, J. (2010). Körperliche Beschwerden bei älteren migranten in Deutschland. Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie. google scholar
  • Destatis – Statistisches Bundesamt. (2025). Wanderungen zwischen Deutschland und dem Ausland. https://www.destatis.de google scholar
  • Dobler, C. C., Spencer-Bonilla, G., Gionfriddo, M. R., & Brito, J. P. (2017). Shared decision-making in immigrant patients. Cureus, 9(12), e1461. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1461 google scholar
  • Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x google scholar
  • Emanuel, E. J., & Emanuel, L. L. (1992). Four models of the physician–patient relationship. JAMA, 267(16), 2221–2226. google scholar
  • Guo, S., Guo, X., Zhang, X., & Vogel, D. (2018). Doctor–patient relationship strength’s impact in an online health care community. Information Technology for Development, 24(2), 279–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2017.1283287 google scholar
  • Hinz-Wessels, A. (2018). Gastarbeiter. Lebendiges Museum Online. Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. https://www.hdg.de/lemo google scholar
  • Hofer, G., Eggler, M., Sleptsova, M., & Langewitz, W. (2015). “I feel we don’t really understand each other”: Interpreting medication instructions for a Turkish-speaking patient with diabetes. The International Journal of Translation and Interpreting Research, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.12807/ti.107203.2015.a05 google scholar
  • Hölzel, L. P., Ries, Z., Zill, J. M., Kriston, L., Dirmaier, J., Härter, M., & Bermejo, I. (2014). Development and testing of culturally sensitive patient information material for migrants (KULTINFO). Trials, 15, 265. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-15-265 google scholar
  • Hunter-Adams, J., & Rother, H. A. (2017). A qualitative study of language barriers between health care providers and cross-border migrants. BMC Health Services Research, 17, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2042-5 google scholar
  • Hyatt, A., Lipson‐Smith, R., Schofield, P., Gough, K., Sze, M., Aldridge, L., Goldstein, D., Jefford, M., Bell, M. L., & Butow, P. (2017). Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer. Health Expectations, 20(5), 886–895. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12529 google scholar
  • Kohlbacher, F. (2006). The use of qualitative content analysis in case study research. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.17169/FQS-7.1.75 google scholar
  • Koschollek, C., Zeisler, M.-L., Houben, R. A., et al. (2023). German health update fokus (GEDA Fokus): Protocol. JMIR Research Protocols, 12(1), e43503. https://doi.org/10.2196/43503 google scholar
  • Lee, S. J., Back, A. L., Block, S. D., & Stewart, S. K. (2002). Enhancing physician–patient communication. Hematology, 2002(1), 464–483. https://doi.org/10.1182/asheducation-2002.1.464 google scholar
  • Matusitz, J., & Spear, J. (2015). Doctor–patient communication styles. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 25(8), 871– 884. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2015.1035148 google scholar
  • McBride, K., Bacong, A. M., Reynoso, A., et al. (2020). Health care decision-making among dual-eligible immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 22(3), 494–502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-019-00922-5 google scholar
  • Meuter, R. F. I., Gallois, C., Segalowitz, N. S., Ryder, A. G., & Hocking, J. (2015). Overcoming language barriers in healthcare. BMC Health Services Research, 15, 371. google scholar
  • Ofosu, N. N., Luig, T., Mumtaz, N., et al. (2023). Intercultural health care challenges. CMAJ Open, 11(4), E765–E773. https://doi.org/10.9778/ cmajo.20220222 google scholar
  • Origlia Ikhilor, P., Hasenberg, G., Kurth, E., Asefaw, F., Pehlke‐Milde, J., & Cignacco, E. (2019). Communication barriers in maternity care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(10), 2200–2210. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14093 google scholar
  • Riccetti, N., Hempler, I., Hermes-Moll, K., Heidt, V., & Bayer, O. W. (2022). Linguistic barriers in oncologist–patient communication. Research in Health Services & Regions, 1(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43999-022-00001-7 google scholar
  • Suphanchaimat, R., Kantamaturapoj, K., Putthasri, W., & Prakongsai, P. (2015). Challenges in the provision of health care services for migrants. BMC Health Services Research, 15, 390. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1065-z google scholar
  • Statistisches Bundesamt. (2025, October 19). Foreign population by place of birth and selected citizenships. https://www.destatis.de/ EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Migration-Integration/Tables/foreigners-place-of-birth.html google scholar
  • Tariman, J., & Szubski, K. (2015). The evolving role of the nurse in cancer treatment decision-making. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(5), 548–556. https://doi.org/10.1188/15.CJON.548-556 google scholar
  • Terui, S., & Hirsch, E. (2022). Language barriers as a social phenomenon. In D. K. Kim & G. L. Kreps (Eds.), Global health communication for immigrants and refugees. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003230243 google scholar
  • Verhagen, I., Ros, W. J., Steunenberg, B., & De Wit, N. J. (2013). Culturally sensitive care for older immigrant patients. BMC Public Health,13, 227. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-227 google scholar
  • Würth, K., Langewitz, W., Reiter-Theil, S., & Schuster, S. (2018). Cross-cultural encounters and medical ethics. BMC Medical Ethics, 19, 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-018-0311-4 google scholar
  • Yelland, J., Riggs, E., Szwarc, J., et al. (2016). Compromised communication in maternity care. BMJ Quality & Safety, 25(4), e1. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2014-003837 google scholar

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

Yıl 2025, Sayı: 69, 81 - 100, 12.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452
https://izlik.org/JA66ED47FE

Öz

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.

Kaynakça

  • Ahmed, R. (2012). Interpersonal health communication: An ecological perspective. In R. Obregón & S. Waisbord (Eds.), The handbook of global health communication (pp. 144–176). John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
  • Ahmed, S., Lee, S., Shommu, N. S., Rumana, N., & Turin, T. C. (2017). Experiences of communication barriers between physicians and immigrant patients: A systematic review and thematic synthesis. Patient Experience Journal, 4(1), 122–140. google scholar
  • Assarroudi, A., Nabavi, H., Armat, M. R., Ebadi, A., & Vaismoradi, M. (2018). Directed qualitative content analysis: The description and elaboration of underpinning methods and data analysis process. Journal of Research in Nursing, 23(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10. 1177/1744987117741667 google scholar
  • Bade, K. J. (2003). Migration in European history (A. Brown, Trans.). John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
  • Bieber, C., Gschwendtner, K., Müller, N., & Eich, W. (2016). Partizipative Entscheidungsfindung (PEF) – Patient und Arzt als Team. PPmP – Psychotherapie · Psychosomatik · Medizinische Psychologie, 66(5), 195–207. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-105277 google scholar
  • Borde, T., David, M., & Kentenich, H. (2002). Erwartungen und Zufriedenheit deutscher und türkischsprachiger Patientinnen im Krankenhaus: Eine vergleichende Befragung in einer Berliner Frauenklinik. Das Gesundheitswesen, 64(8–9), 476–485. https://doi.org/10. 1055/s-2002-33775 google scholar
  • Charavel, M., Brémond, A., Moumjid-Ferdjaoui, N., Mignotte, H., & Carrère, M. O. (2001). Shared decision-making in question. PsychoOncology, 10(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.502 google scholar
  • Christen, D., & Balthasar, A. (2017). Approaches to improve the interaction between general practitioners and migrants: A systematic review of international literature. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 13(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1108/ IJMHSC-10-2015-0037 google scholar
  • Comte, E. (2017). The history of the European migration regime: Germany’s strategic hegemony. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/ 9781315163048 google scholar
  • Csöff, R.-M., Macassa, G., & Lindert, J. (2010). Körperliche Beschwerden bei älteren migranten in Deutschland. Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie. google scholar
  • Destatis – Statistisches Bundesamt. (2025). Wanderungen zwischen Deutschland und dem Ausland. https://www.destatis.de google scholar
  • Dobler, C. C., Spencer-Bonilla, G., Gionfriddo, M. R., & Brito, J. P. (2017). Shared decision-making in immigrant patients. Cureus, 9(12), e1461. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1461 google scholar
  • Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x google scholar
  • Emanuel, E. J., & Emanuel, L. L. (1992). Four models of the physician–patient relationship. JAMA, 267(16), 2221–2226. google scholar
  • Guo, S., Guo, X., Zhang, X., & Vogel, D. (2018). Doctor–patient relationship strength’s impact in an online health care community. Information Technology for Development, 24(2), 279–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2017.1283287 google scholar
  • Hinz-Wessels, A. (2018). Gastarbeiter. Lebendiges Museum Online. Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. https://www.hdg.de/lemo google scholar
  • Hofer, G., Eggler, M., Sleptsova, M., & Langewitz, W. (2015). “I feel we don’t really understand each other”: Interpreting medication instructions for a Turkish-speaking patient with diabetes. The International Journal of Translation and Interpreting Research, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.12807/ti.107203.2015.a05 google scholar
  • Hölzel, L. P., Ries, Z., Zill, J. M., Kriston, L., Dirmaier, J., Härter, M., & Bermejo, I. (2014). Development and testing of culturally sensitive patient information material for migrants (KULTINFO). Trials, 15, 265. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-15-265 google scholar
  • Hunter-Adams, J., & Rother, H. A. (2017). A qualitative study of language barriers between health care providers and cross-border migrants. BMC Health Services Research, 17, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2042-5 google scholar
  • Hyatt, A., Lipson‐Smith, R., Schofield, P., Gough, K., Sze, M., Aldridge, L., Goldstein, D., Jefford, M., Bell, M. L., & Butow, P. (2017). Communication challenges experienced by migrants with cancer. Health Expectations, 20(5), 886–895. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12529 google scholar
  • Kohlbacher, F. (2006). The use of qualitative content analysis in case study research. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.17169/FQS-7.1.75 google scholar
  • Koschollek, C., Zeisler, M.-L., Houben, R. A., et al. (2023). German health update fokus (GEDA Fokus): Protocol. JMIR Research Protocols, 12(1), e43503. https://doi.org/10.2196/43503 google scholar
  • Lee, S. J., Back, A. L., Block, S. D., & Stewart, S. K. (2002). Enhancing physician–patient communication. Hematology, 2002(1), 464–483. https://doi.org/10.1182/asheducation-2002.1.464 google scholar
  • Matusitz, J., & Spear, J. (2015). Doctor–patient communication styles. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 25(8), 871– 884. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2015.1035148 google scholar
  • McBride, K., Bacong, A. M., Reynoso, A., et al. (2020). Health care decision-making among dual-eligible immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 22(3), 494–502. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-019-00922-5 google scholar
  • Meuter, R. F. I., Gallois, C., Segalowitz, N. S., Ryder, A. G., & Hocking, J. (2015). Overcoming language barriers in healthcare. BMC Health Services Research, 15, 371. google scholar
  • Ofosu, N. N., Luig, T., Mumtaz, N., et al. (2023). Intercultural health care challenges. CMAJ Open, 11(4), E765–E773. https://doi.org/10.9778/ cmajo.20220222 google scholar
  • Origlia Ikhilor, P., Hasenberg, G., Kurth, E., Asefaw, F., Pehlke‐Milde, J., & Cignacco, E. (2019). Communication barriers in maternity care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(10), 2200–2210. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14093 google scholar
  • Riccetti, N., Hempler, I., Hermes-Moll, K., Heidt, V., & Bayer, O. W. (2022). Linguistic barriers in oncologist–patient communication. Research in Health Services & Regions, 1(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43999-022-00001-7 google scholar
  • Suphanchaimat, R., Kantamaturapoj, K., Putthasri, W., & Prakongsai, P. (2015). Challenges in the provision of health care services for migrants. BMC Health Services Research, 15, 390. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1065-z google scholar
  • Statistisches Bundesamt. (2025, October 19). Foreign population by place of birth and selected citizenships. https://www.destatis.de/ EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Population/Migration-Integration/Tables/foreigners-place-of-birth.html google scholar
  • Tariman, J., & Szubski, K. (2015). The evolving role of the nurse in cancer treatment decision-making. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(5), 548–556. https://doi.org/10.1188/15.CJON.548-556 google scholar
  • Terui, S., & Hirsch, E. (2022). Language barriers as a social phenomenon. In D. K. Kim & G. L. Kreps (Eds.), Global health communication for immigrants and refugees. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003230243 google scholar
  • Verhagen, I., Ros, W. J., Steunenberg, B., & De Wit, N. J. (2013). Culturally sensitive care for older immigrant patients. BMC Public Health,13, 227. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-227 google scholar
  • Würth, K., Langewitz, W., Reiter-Theil, S., & Schuster, S. (2018). Cross-cultural encounters and medical ethics. BMC Medical Ethics, 19, 70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-018-0311-4 google scholar
  • Yelland, J., Riggs, E., Szwarc, J., et al. (2016). Compromised communication in maternity care. BMJ Quality & Safety, 25(4), e1. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2014-003837 google scholar
Toplam 36 adet kaynakça vardır.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil İngilizce
Konular Örgütsel, Kişilerarası ve Kültürlerarası İletişim
Bölüm Araştırma Makalesi
Yazarlar

Ayla Okay 0000-0002-6532-3324

Gönderilme Tarihi 21 Ekim 2025
Kabul Tarihi 7 Ocak 2026
Yayımlanma Tarihi 12 Ocak 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452
IZ https://izlik.org/JA66ED47FE
Yayımlandığı Sayı Yıl 2025 Sayı: 69

Kaynak Göster

APA Okay, A. (2026). Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, 69, 81-100. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452
AMA 1.Okay A. Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences. 2026;(69):81-100. doi:10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452
Chicago Okay, Ayla. 2026. “Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study”. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, sy 69: 81-100. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452.
EndNote Okay A (01 Ocak 2026) Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences 69 81–100.
IEEE [1]A. Okay, “Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study”, Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, sy 69, ss. 81–100, Oca. 2026, doi: 10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452.
ISNAD Okay, Ayla. “Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study”. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences. 69 (01 Ocak 2026): 81-100. https://doi.org/10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452.
JAMA 1.Okay A. Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences. 2026;:81–100.
MLA Okay, Ayla. “Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study”. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences, sy 69, Ocak 2026, ss. 81-100, doi:10.26650/CONNECTIST2025-1808452.
Vancouver 1.Okay A. Doctor–patient communication among Turkish immigrants andTurkish-origin individuals in Germany: A comparative qualitative study. Connectist: Istanbul University Journal of Communication Sciences [Internet]. 01 Ocak 2026;(69):81-100. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA66ED47FE