Evaluation of functional constipation frequency and related factors.

Background/introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of functional constipation (FC) in İzmir using ROME IV criteria, as well as to investigate the relationship of FC with various factors, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and personality traits.

Methods: This study was designed as cross-sectional analytical research. The participants were those aged 18 and over who applied to Family Health Centers (FHC).

Determining the Attitudes of Medicine Faculty Instructors Toward LGBT Individuals.

Introduction: It has been shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) patients are not able to receive the health care they need due to in part homophobia among health care providers. The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes toward LGBT people by medical school faculty members, the educators of the health care providers.

Methods: The study was designed as cross-sectional, using the Hudson-Ricketts homophobia scale and a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and conducted in two different medical schools.

Caregiver reasons for tertiary health-care seeking for children aged ≤12 years.

Background: In Turkey, a mandatory referral system is not used. Caregivers, for their children, present directly to health-care providers at all levels. This allows patients to present directly to university hospitals.

Which family physician should I choose? The analytic hierarchy process approach for ranking of criteria in the selection of a family physician.

Background: Choosing the most appropriate family physician (FP) for the individual, plays a fundamental role in primary care. The aim of this study is to determine the selection criteria for the patients in choosing their family doctors and priority ranking of these criteria by using the multi-criteria decision-making method of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model.

Methods: The study was planned and conducted in two phases.

Family history attributes and risk factors for breast cancer in Turkey.

Background: When dealing with breast cancer, early detection is closely associated with determining and closely monitoring high risk groups. The aim of this study was to determine the preventable risk factors that are specific for our country, and to understand which risk factors were most predominant.

Materials And Methods: The study was planned as a case-control design.

The effect of physical activity and body mass index on menopausal symptoms in Turkish women: a cross-sectional study in primary care.

Background: Considering the fact that, due to recent evidence, many women no longer prefer hormone replacement therapy, it is especially important to develop intervention options to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Although there is conflicting evidence concerning effectiveness, there is an indication that physical activity and weight control may be useful for alleviating symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity and body mass index on menopausal symptoms among menopausal women in Turkey.

Educational expectations of GP trainers. A EURACT needs analysis.

Introduction: In this background paper, we discuss the educational needs of family medicine teachers and trainers in the light of a EURACT (European Academy of Teachers in General Practice) project aimed at the development of a European framework for the professional development of general practice (GP) educators.

Background: There is evidence that the ideal GP educator would benefit from systematic training in teaching skills. Although international literature indicates that such skills training should be in supervision, feedback, assessment and educational management, it is not clear if these needs vary between trainers who teach general practice in different settings and environments.

The influence of health care reforms on work-related attitudes and anxieties of primary care physicians.

Background And Objective: Reforming primary healthcare services has been the core agenda of health policies of the developing countries in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. In Turkey, the Transformation in Health Project brings along many changes in all aspects of primary health care services, such as organization and financing of services and employment of healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of health care reforms on primary care physicians working in Izmir.

Is the use of videotape recording superior to verbal feedback alone in the teaching of clinical skills?

Background: In recent times, medical schools have committed to developing good communication and history taking skills in students. However, there remains an unresolved question as to which constitutes the best educational method. Our study aims to investigate whether the use of videotape recording is superior to verbal feedback alone in the teaching of clinical skills and the role of student self-assessment on history taking and communication skills.

Young people benefit from comprehensive education on reproductive health.

Objectives: To determine whether students' knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and their usage rate of special reproductive health units can be improved by means of a thorough continuing education programme including peer education (PE) and reproductive health counselling.

Methods: A 'before and after intervention' study was conducted. A questionnaire was applied to first year university students both at the beginning and at the end of the academic year 2005-2006.

Globalization of the pharmaceutical industry and the growing dependency of developing countries: the case of Turkey.

In developing countries, the effect of globalization on the pharmaceutical sector has resulted in a decrease in exportation and domestic production, accompanied by an increase in importation of pharmaceuticals and a rise in prices and expenditures. As an example of a developing country, Turkey has been facing the long-standing and increasing pressure of global regulations placed on its pharmaceutical sector. This has led to an increasing dependency on multinational companies and a gradual deterioration of an already weakened domestic pharmaceutical sector.

What was retained? The assessment of the training for the peer trainers' course on short and long term basis.

Background: In Turkey, the studies have reported that the age at which sexual intercourse and sexual activity starts has been steadily declining. There is an urgent need to increase social and health services for young people in order to provide them with a healthy life by changing their risky behaviors, avoiding unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sexual and reproductive health training particularly for adolescents warrants special attention and consideration.

Direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceuticals: developed countries experiences and Turkey.

While several major problems concerning drugs occur in the world, the attempts to direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) has gained a considerable impetus lately in both developed and developing countries. DTCA has increasingly become an appealing advertising alternative for the pharmaceutical industry as drug companies have come to wrestle with such problems as the expansion of the drug market; the decline of the medical representatives' work efficiency; drug reimbursement restrictions; and the escalating role of the Internet in the consumer market. Some of the main disadvantages of the DTCA are: increasing drug expenditures, unnecessary drug consumption and adverse effect risks.

What patients think about promotional activities of pharmaceutical companies in Turkey.

Objective: Drugs, as commercial products, are subject to diverse marketing methods including promotional activities. Although the legal/ethical aspects of promotional activities have been discussed in a limited manner, the patient has remained the neglected variable of this equation. The goal of our study, therefore, is to investigate the patients' opinion on the promotional activities of pharmaceutical companies.

Globalization and the trends of medical technology trade in Turkey.

Medical technology trade is one of the most affected health areas by global regulations in the developing countries. The aim of the study is to examine recent changes in medical technology import and export and their results in Turkey. Data show that the total medical technology imports (MTI) increased from $ 34.

The challenge of clinical interviewing and physical examination performance for general practitioners in Turkey.

Background And Objectives: This study's objective was to better understand the current conditions and style of practice of generalist physicians in Turkey on clinical interviewing and physical examination skills prior to the widespread availability of family medicine postgraduate training.

Methods: This study was performed in 30 primary health centers, randomly chosen from the 110 primary health centers in Izmir, Turkey. We administered a questionnaire to 106 physicians in those centers, asking about their performance during medical encounters.

Comparison of clinical skills of 3rd-year students who completed structured clinical skills program with 6th-year students who acquired clinical skills in unsystematic way.

Background: The timing and methods of teaching clinical skills are some of the main concerns of medical education.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare clinical skills of the 3rd and 6th-year students who acquired clinical skills training within different years and methods.

Methods: Randomly chosen students were observed and evaluated in the form of "did it-didn't do it" over the checklists composed of parameters of communication, history taking, and physical examination.