Minister Koca shared the following information about the 'referral system’ in the delivery of healthcare services:
"There is a practice that is unique in the world when it comes to making an appointment with a doctor. When our citizens need to be examined, they can make an appointment at their own request, for example, for an endocrinology examination, without a referral. However, it is not right to expect the patient to know that they need an examination from an endocrinologist. Endocrinology is a sub-branch. So, it is a field of specialty beyond the main specialty. An internal medicine physician must first examine the patient and tell them that they need to see an endocrinologist. Instead, the patient determines their need as an endocrinology appointment. It exponentially returns to us as workload. We are developing the necessary solutions.
It is not a necessity for our citizens to know which branch of healthcare services they need . It is better for a health professional to direct them. In this regard, I see the role of the Family Physicians very important. Family Physicians can direct our citizens to the right branches. We are working on this.
We also planned an activity that will enable our patients to call and explain their situation and apply to the right branch by receiving the right consultancy services. We are working for a system that will reduce the workload in this regard, both with healthcare professionals and artificial intelligence-based guidance systems. I THINK WE HAVE COVERED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DISTANCE."
