Abstract:

This research aims to measure patients’ perception of physicians and hospitals in the community and to determine the factors affecting their perceptions. For this purpose, data concerning patients’ perceptions of physicians and hospitals were collected from the sample of 380 participants in Keçiören district of Ankara through survey method. The obtained data were analysed and interpreted. It was consequently found that patients’ perceptions of physicians and hospitals in general were at medium levels, that they found hospitals good in general,  that they were moderately satisfied with physician-patient relations, that they considered doctors as belonging to the most dependable occupational group, that they trusted the army most  and that the communication between patients and physicians, the physical conditions of hospitals and the quality of healthcare services hospitals offer were the important factors affecting images about physicians and hospitals. Access/ transportation to hospitals, due importance attached to patients’ rights by hospital management and hospitality services offered by hospitals were found to be the factors influential in patients’ attitudes towards hospitals. Significant correlations were found between patients’ educational status and patients’ preference of doctors according to physicians’ gender. It was concluded that patients thought that they received better care if they visit their doctors in their private practice office. 

Keywords: