Istanbul health officials urge use of primary care amid excessive hospital visits

Istanbul Provincial Health Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner reported that Istanbul conducted 148 million examinations in the first eight months of this year. He highlighted a trend of excessive hospital visits by individuals who do not strictly require emergency care, which can hinder access for those in critical need.

Güner cited specific cases to illustrate the issue, including a patient who visited Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 316 times in one year due to anxiety regarding hypertension, and another individual who sought emergency care 337 times in a year due to unmanaged anxiety related to COPD-induced shortness of breath.

To address this, Güner emphasized the importance of utilizing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels effectively. He urged citizens to consult family physicians first, noting that family doctors serve as vital health consultants who understand a patient's medical history and risk factors.