Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to explore the working conditions of family physicians and to evaluate problems related to these conditions. Materials and Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design involving individual face-to-face in-depth interviews was used. Forty face-to-face interviews were conducted with family physicians in Sakarya province. With the permission of the participants, audio recording was taken in all interviews except one, transcribed verbatim and checked. Thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Data was collected until data were saturated. Results: The data obtained from interviews with family physicians were evaluated under two main themes as "Problems in Working Conditions" and "Expected Improvements in Working Conditions". Family physicians participating in our research which evaluated the high number of registered population per family medicine unit, physical insufficiencies in working environments, financial problems, uncertainty in the job description of family physicians, and safety problems in Family Health Centers as the leading problems in working conditions. They offered solutions as to rapidly increasing the number of existing family physicians, making the appointment system mandatory, introducing new standards to the physical conditions of Family Health Centers, clarifying the job descriptions of family physicians, transferring financial responsibilities to higher authorities, and introducing deterrent sanctions against violence. Conclusion: The number of family physicians should be increased, their job descriptions should be clear so as not to cause role ambiguity and role conflict, their participation in decisions should be ensured, and physical conditions should be optimized. Key Words: Family medicine; primary healthcare; working conditions; qualitative research

Keywords: