Lucy: "Merhaba! Die Arbeit in der Türkei ist für mich ein Abenteuer. Das Land ist wunderschön und die Menschen sehr gastfreundlich. In meiner Klinik in Izmir ist der Umgang unter Kollegen familiär, und die Patienten sind dankbar, was die Arbeit sehr erfüllend macht. Allerdings gibt es hier auch viele Herausforderungen. Die Gehälter sind niedriger als in Europa, und das Gesundheitssystem ist nicht so gut ausgestattet. Es gibt oft Versorgungsengpässe, und man muss sehr flexibel sein. Die Anerkennung meiner deutschen Qualifikationen war ebenfalls ein aufwendiger Prozess und es hat lange gedauert, bis ich richtig loslegen konnte. Sprachlich habe ich mich auch umstellen müssen, da nicht jeder Englisch oder Deutsch spricht, und gut Türkisch zu lernen war eine Notwendigkeit. Trotz allem schätze ich die kulturelle Vielfalt und die Möglichkeit, an einem so geschichtsträchtigen Ort zu arbeiten."
Turkey's healthcare system has undergone significant reforms in recent decades, primarily through the Health Transformation Program, which aims to improve access, quality, and efficiency of healthcare services. The system is a mix of public and private providers, with the public sector offering free or low-cost medical care, including primary care, specialist treatments, and emergency services. Many citizens also opt for private health insurance to access faster services and more specialized care.
Key features:
Backgroundinformation about…
In Turkey, long-term care is still developing and is primarily supported through a combination of family care, public services, and private sector involvement. The traditional reliance on family members to provide care for the elderly and disabled remains strong due to cultural values that emphasize familial responsibility. However, as demographic changes and urbanization increase, the need for formal long-term care services is growing.
Key aspects of long-term care in Turkey:
· Family-Centered Care: Most long-term care is provided by family members at home. This approach is deeply rooted in Turkish culture, where family plays a central role in caring for the elderly and those with disabilities.
· Public Services: The government provides some support through social assistance programs and home care services, especially for those who are financially disadvantaged. Municipalities and the Ministry of Family, Labour, and Social Services offer home care services, which include personal care, rehabilitation, and social support.
· Residential Care: There are limited numbers of nursing homes and residential care facilities, primarily run by the state, non-governmental organizations, or the private sector. These facilities are mostly located in urban areas, and access can be limited due to capacity constraints and costs.
· Challenges: The main challenges in long-term care in Turkey include a lack of formal care infrastructure, insufficient professional workforce, and regional disparities in access to care services. There is also a need for better integration of health and social care services to provide comprehensive support for those in need of long-term care.
· Policy Efforts: The Turkish government has been making efforts to improve long-term care services, including developing new regulations, increasing investments in home care, and expanding the capacity of existing facilities. However, the sector still requires significant development to meet the growing demand.
Palliative care in Turkey is a growing field that aims to provide comprehensive support for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. However, the development of palliative care services is still in its early stages, with significant variations in availability and quality across the country.
· Emerging Services: Palliative care services in Turkey have been expanding in recent years, particularly in large cities and academic hospitals. The Ministry of Health has been working to integrate palliative care into the broader healthcare system, including establishing palliative care units in public hospitals and promoting home-based palliative care services.
· Hospital-Based Care: Most palliative care in Turkey is provided in hospitals, with dedicated palliative care units or services within oncology departments. These units offer symptom management, pain relief, and psychosocial support for patients with advanced illnesses, including cancer and chronic conditions.
· Home-Based Care: Home-based palliative care is available, but it is less common and mainly concentrated in urban areas. These services are often provided by a mix of public and private providers, and their availability can be limited due to resource constraints and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals.
· Workforce and Training: One of the main challenges in palliative care in Turkey is the lack of trained professionals. There are efforts to improve education and training in palliative care for healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and social workers. However, the availability of specialized training programs remains limited.
· Cultural Factors: Cultural attitudes towards death and dying can influence the provision and acceptance of palliative care in Turkey. There is often a strong emphasis on curative treatment, and discussions about end-of-life care can be challenging for both healthcare providers and families.
· Challenges: The primary challenges in palliative care in Turkey include insufficient infrastructure, limited access to pain management medications, and regional disparities in service availability. Additionally, there is a need for greater public awareness and understanding of palliative care to ensure that patients and families can access the appropriate services.
· Policy Efforts: The Turkish government has recognized the importance of palliative care and is working on developing national strategies to improve service provision. This includes increasing the number of palliative care units, enhancing training for healthcare professionals, and integrating palliative care into the national health policy framework.
Quelle: WHO/European Observatory on Health Systems andPolicy Monitor (HSPM) (https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/monitors/health-systems-monitor/compare)
