[Medicine in Turkey, with special reference to nephrology].
The stormy development of Turkey in this century resulted in a drastic decrease of illiteracy and in a craving for knowledge among the younger generations. Qualitatively good students are admitted to universities. In the last 25 years, 47 new universities were founded (8 of them private ones), partly for political reasons. Teachers of medicine are underpaid, so that many earn extra money by working in a private practice. The results of medical teaching are adequate, owing in part to quality and motivation of students and interns. Much research is being subsidized by the Turkish Institute for Scientific and Technical Research, Tübitak, but bureaucracy inhibits originality. Research and postgraduate training are increasingly controlled by the pharmaceutical industry. Primary medical care is underdeveloped. The quality of medical treatment is technically adequate; modern diagnostic and surgical methods are available in all major centres. There is much private enterprise in health care (private clinics, private laboratories, research centres, universities and pharmacies). The latest drugs are available and given preference in prescribing. In Southeast Turkey, populated by Kurds, however, the economy has come to a complete standstill and there is an enormous shortage of physicians and hospitals. The prevalence of renal diseases differs from that in the Netherlands: fewer cystic kidneys, less diabetic nephropathy and nephropathy due to analgetics, but more acute glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever. Haemodialysis, is one of the fastest-growing methods of treatment; peritoneal dialysis is rapidly gaining ground. Kidney transplantations have been performed regularly since 1975.
Dorhout Mees
E J
EJ
Ege Universitesi Lojmanlari, Izmit, Turkije.
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D009398:Nephrology / Q000592:standards*; D014421:Turkey