The Experience of Establishing a Family Health Center without Population and Service Building: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: The issue of accessibility is more important in the selection of the location of health institutions where primary health care services are provided. In this study, it was aimed to obtain information about the experiences and experiences of family physicians during the establishment process of family health centers with zero population and no service building.

Methods: The study is a qualitative research designed with a phenomenological approach. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 12 family physicians who settled in a total of 16 family medicine units in 5 family health centers with zero population and without a building within a 6-month period in Samsun province.

Results: Family physicians thought that the 1-month period given to establish a family health center was too short. Family physicians stated that not every building in the desired region was suitable for a family health center. Financial expenditures were found to be one of the most challenging issues for family physicians. The interviewees mentioned the excitement of making a new start as the most important motivating factor. Other motivating factors included a new physical building, a new working environment, and getting to know new people.

Conclusion: In terms of facilitating access to primary care services, it is important to establish FHCs without a population and service building. In the process of establishing a family health center, both the cost of building construction and the necessity of providing all the consumables required for the service by the family physician cause financial difficulties for family physicians.