title: Family practice in Turkey: Observations from a pilot implementation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Turkey has implemented family practice on a pilot basis as part of the reform in health care, since 2005. This paper aims to understand and describe the prevalent practice patterns and clinic characteristics during the transition period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was conducted among Turkish GPs working as primary care doctors (without vocational training) during the reform period. Clinic and GP characteristics are analysed with descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  List size is an important factor; larger lists lead to shorter consultation time and a longer wait for patients. GPs are generally satisfied with the reform.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the transition to family practice access of patients to health care has improved and GPs are satisfied with their job.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients in Turkey have adequate access to primary health care services. The waiting time for consultation is relatively short. Basic prevention activities occupy the majority of the GPs' time. Reducing the panel size and introducing appointment systems may be useful.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine , University of Akdeniz , Antalya , Turkey ;
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.affiliation: b Operations and Information Systems Group, College of Business Administration and Economics Sariyer , Koç University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Evrim Didem
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Güneş
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014850:Waiting Lists; D016526:Workload
keywords: Family practice; Turkey; general practice; health policy; health reform; primary care; workload