Doctors' congress leave deducted from paid vacation in Turkish private hospitals

Doctors working in private healthcare institutions in Turkey are facing a new challenge to their professional rights, with congress leave now reportedly being deducted from their annual paid vacation days. This issue has emerged following the transition of doctors in private health facilities to 4/a insurance coverage as of June 1.

Reports indicate that some private hospital managements have begun issuing written directives. These directives allegedly instruct that time spent by physicians at national and international congresses, symposiums, and courses, activities considered vital for their professional development, should be subtracted from their constitutionally guaranteed annual paid leave.

Medical professionals have reacted strongly against this decision. They emphasize that keeping abreast of advancements in their fields and learning new treatment approaches through these professional gatherings is not a form of rest but a professional obligation crucial for ensuring patient safety. They argue that attending these events is a necessity for providing better patient care.

Dr. Güray Kılıç, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Turkish Medical Association's Private Practice Branch, highlighted that congresses should not be equated with simple leisure activities. "Congresses are not tourist trips," he stated. "They are platforms where doctors follow the latest developments in their fields, learn new treatment approaches, and participate in scientific discussions. Their presence at these meetings is necessary for them to provide better service to patients."

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Congresses are not tourist trips. They are platforms where doctors follow the latest developments in their fields, learn new treatment approaches, and participate in scientific discussions. Their presence at these meetings is necessary for them to provide better service to patients.