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EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty Holds a Seminar On “Ethics in Health”

EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty  Holds a Seminar On “Ethics in Health”
Published Date: Friday, 12 April 2019

Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty continues to offer informative seminars. The last seminar held by the aforesaid faculty was delivered by EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Medicine Faculty academic staff member Prof. Dr. Şefik Görkey at Famagusta State Hospital Conference Hall at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, 5 April 2019. Titled “Ethics in Health”, the seminar started with the history of the topics discussed in the patient-doctor relationship. Prof. Dr. Görkey pointed out that in the past, some doctors used their powers for a number of ideologies and following a number of court cases which took place after the world wars, the evidence confirming the application of some immoral practices for the sake of the science surfaced. With the loss of doctor’s authority as a result of this, the whole world was faced with the fact that a doctor’s behavior is, in fact, questionable. Prof. Dr. Görkey went on to state that  since then, many medical and non-medical professionals used patient-doctor relationship problems for the sake of their own interests.

“Female Doctors in Our Country Encounter Serious Problems”

Prof. Dr. Görkey put forth that in poorly educated societies, those affected from this area which is open to abuse and political violation are usually the doctors and patients.  According to Prof. Dr. Görkey, patients should be well-informed and kept away from being misdirected.

Prof. Dr. Görkey added that based on the principle that doctors in developed societies should be well-educated, kept away from financial problems and removed from a stressful life,

they are provided with enough time and material-environment to deal with a patient. Indicating that doctors are also granted permission for self and professional development,  Prof. Dr. Görkey added that workload of female doctors in developed countries are kept to minimum after pregnancy and postpartum  periods. Prof. Dr. Görkey indicated that in our country, female doctors experience serious problems and emphasized that doctors' working hours and wages should be adjusted in such a way that they will be able to receive and maintain their rightful place in the society. Prof. Dr. Görkey also indicated that the purpose of this is to enable the doctors to do their job correctly and, at the same time, demonstrate respect towards their patients.

“Respect for Privacy”

Prof. Dr. Görkey added that having been provided adequate context and environment, the doctor could then easily provide this delicate balance between the two sides. On the other hand, easy access to doctors, allocation of sufficient time, having a positive attitude, avoiding negative behavior posing harassment towards body and soul, obtaining permission for treatment, and respecting privacy and decisions are marked as highly important issues in respecting patients’ rights. 

While talking about the rights of patients and doctors, Prof. Dr. Görkey indicated that having one-sided accusations in the event of problems would be a deliberate self-interest. Prof. Dr. Görkey also stated that sometimes, just because someone wants to change the agenda, without any scientific basis, doctors or medical equipment or instruments, methods of treatment and similar issues are brought into the forefront.

“There are Books on How Doctors Should Act”

Prof. Dr. Görkey added that patient rights do not cover harassing the doctors regarding his/her educational status, social status, beliefs and private life and, similarly, doctors’ rights do not feature turning the patient adrift, misdirecting the patient or discrimination. Prof. Dr. Görkey put forth that the physician-patient relationship is actually the most concrete, the most sensitive and the most common form of relationship in which human rights should be applied and  added that freedom of religion, conscience, thought and expression are also among the fundamental human rights. Reminding that everyone has the right to equal access to health care, Prof. Dr. Görkey indicated that these relations are more likely to get more accurate results if they are oriented to the principles as far as possible from being open to interpretation. From this point of view, in some countries, doctors are supported with some books giving information on how to act correctly in different cases of conflict. Prof. Dr. Görkey also noted that it is forbidden to work in these countries without being well-informed or aware of these rules. Prof. Dr. Görkey added that unfortunately such a practice is not observed in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus or Turkey. Prof. Dr. Görkey concluded the seminar by stating that the hospitals' own ethics committee can help the doctors regarding the correct attitude expected to be demonstrated in the face of difficult cases encountered, but unfortunately, this is also not possible in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

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