General Medicine in Izmir

General medicine focuses on the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases of the internal organs. A medical doctor who specializes in general medicine is usually called a general medicine doctor or a general physician (GP). Although they mostly treat adults, they may also treat adolescents and children. They treat all medical conditions, including conditions that affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematological, or endocrine systems. Some of the most common conditions general medicine doctor can treat include but are not limited to:

• Respiratory system, including lung fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia, and Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Cardiovascular system, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease (heart attack, angina).
• The neurological system, such as cerebrovascular accident (strokes), dementia, and epilepsy (seizures).
• Gastrointestinal system, including gastroenteritis and liver disease (such as alcoholic liver disease).
• Hematological, such as anemia.
• Endocrinological, such as pituitary disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.

A general medicine doctor can arrange a wide range of tests, such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure test, urinalysis (U/A), blood sugar level, and fecal occult blood tests. They may also arrange laboratory investigations, such as blood tests or other fluid samples from other parts of the body. Occasionally, they may also arrange a biopsy for diagnosis, which will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. General medicine doctors can also work with radiologists to use X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine specialists for certain tests, such as PET scans. They may also refer patients to another specialty for special tests, such as a cardiologist for an angiogram and a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.

Common procedures or interventions that general medicine doctor perform are as follows:

• Perform clinical examinations of patients to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor the patient’s condition.
• Interpret findings from investigations, such as blood tests, to help reach a diagnosis.
• Use life support skills and emergency procedures, such as defibrillation, when necessary.

How Long Should I Stay in Izmir?      

You can leave the medical facility immediately after, plan to stay at least 2 to 5 days in Izmir for a follow-up appointment. During the follow-up appointment, your doctor evaluates how your body is responding to treatment or, if you had diagnostic tests, explain the results, and discuss the treatment plan with you. However, if your doctor tells you that no follow-up appointment is necessary, you should be allowed to leave for home on the same day. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time can be different from one person to another, depending on the illness or disease you have and your overall health. You will be advised to take several days off work and avoid strenuous activities to allow your body to recover. Your doctor will let you know the specific time you can return to work and your normal activity. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you an aftercare instruction tailored to your particular condition, which may include activity restriction and recommended diet. Your doctor may likely prescribe medicine as well. It is important to take the medicine as directed and follow all the instructions closely. They will also let you know if you need follow-up appointments. For certain illnesses, they may refer you to a specific specialist.

What's the Success Rate?

For many people, general medicine is the first point of treatment. It has a high success rate in diagnosing and treating many conditions, as well as referring patients to the relevant specialist for specialized treatments. Experienced and skilled general medicine doctors can learn a great deal by simple observation. Looking at hands, nails, skin, mouth, and eyes, as well as examining your lungs, heart, and abdomen can give them some clues and help them decide on the most appropriate tests to undertake to confirm their clinical suspicions. 

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives depend on your condition. For example, you should be able to see a cardiologist for heart conditions without talking to your general medical doctor first. However, in some cases, you may need a referral from your general medical doctor to see other specialists.

General Medicine in and around Izmir

About Izmir

Izmir is a Turkish metropolitan city and is the third-largest city and situated on the western coast. It is one of the more popular destinations that plays host to an increasing number of medical tourists. The city’s geographical location is one of its biggest advantages as for centuries; Izmir is a trading town on the Mediterranean.

Numerous international travelers journey away from their native land towards the vibrant city of Izmir, propelled by the quest for superior healthcare solutions either for their personal welfare or that of their kin. Their decision often revolves around the advanced and specialized medical treatment they desire, either being non-existent or scarce within their nation or the exorbitant price attached to such healthcare services becomes an overwhelming burden to bear within their homeland.

Today, Izmir is witnessing a significant upsurge in the influx of medical tourists. Analyzing the city's patient data tells us a compelling narrative of an increasing trend of visitors seeking specialized treatments such as dentistry, fertility, and psychiatry. Moreover, it is not just the routine healthcare services drawing them in, but also the availability of expert and advanced care for rare medical conditions, making Izmir an appealing choice.

Popular Areas in Izmir

On initial contact, as your plane touches the tarmac in Izmir, you may be beguiled into perceiving this city as just another tranquil, picturesque hamlet exhibiting a leisurely rhythm of life. It wouldn't take long, however, for you to realize that the serene facade conceals a teeming life of variety and vivacity, a couple of hours is all it takes to reveal the city's multifaceted persona.

As a historic and significant city of Turkey, it's really no surprise that tourists get swept away by the grand scale and richness of age-old landmarks and Ottoman structures found across Izmir.

One key attraction is the vibrant Izmir Agora open-air museum that sits in the city core. The first glimpse might trick you into believing the city grew around it. Bordered by scenic hills, bustling marketplaces, towering structures, luxury apartments, and a serene yet sandy-free coastline, this place truly comes alive.

Alsancak is the heart of the city and the safest place in the inner city for tourists with lots of shopping opportunities if you don't want to go to any of the big shopping malls, there are also several decent places for eating, although nothing too fancy as they are mostly café style place, the prices are also slightly higher than other parts of Izmir.

The closest beaches are 50 miles west of the city. There is an excellent choice of superb beaches such as Ilıca (a long wide beach of pale sand where the water is very warm due to under-sea thermal activity), and just a short distance from Çeşme itself, Altınkum (with much cooler water),

Weather and Climate in Izmir

Izmir enjoys the characteristic Mediterranean climate that one might anticipate. Winter days bring a chill to the air, while the summer season is heralded by bright, sunny days.

• The winter season is from December to mid of March. The average temperature ranges from 7-10 degrees centigrade and January is the coldest month. The wettest month is December with an average of 140mm of rain.
• Spring is from Mid-March to May. This is the best time of the year to visit Izmir. It is advisable to plan ahead for your trip and book your flights and hotel reservations. Since this is the most pleasant season in Izmir, hotel booking rates are its highest and it can be difficult to get a reservation.
• The summer season is from June to September. The season is hot and dry. Humidity is not too high because of the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum temperature recorded is around 40 degrees centigrade.
• Autumn season is warm at the beginning of September. There is a high chance of rain and snow towards the end of November.

Getting around in Izmir

Getting around Izmir is a breeze, with the majority of the transportation systems being government-operated and widely hailed as the most effective means of commute. Boasting cleanliness and disciplined planning, Izmir is a city designed for comfort. Strategically placed taxi stands can be found at major locations, ensuring swift public convenience.

The city's well-coordinated metro system is adept at connecting Izmir's northern and southern ends through two distinct lines, effectively covering a majority of the cityscape. There's even a railway station conveniently located at the airport. Known as the Izmir Metro, this transport service provides an exceptionally convenient link between the airport and the city. Not to be overlooked is the city's sea transportation; public ferries can whisk you across the waters at very fair prices.

Tourist Visas in Izmir

Visa requirements for Izmir, Turkey:

Citizens of 55 countries, including all countries in the European Union, do not require a visa to enter Izmir, Turkey. Citizens of these countries can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens of all other countries must obtain a visa before entering Turkey. Visas can be obtained online or at a Turkish embassy or consulate. The visa application process is relatively straightforward and takes about 20 minutes to complete. You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, and contact information. You will also need to upload a digital photo of yourself.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your visa within 5 to 10 business days.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Is the Turkish Lira. 100 US dollars will yield 582.82 Turkish liras. It is best to carry the local currency within the city even though a lot of establishments like shops and hotels will accept payments in Euros and Dollars.
2. Money and Payments: Most Businesses will accept all the major cards at Izmir. Some restaurants even accept Premier Dining passes. Tipping is prevalent at ten percent of the service charge.
3. Local language: Most of the population speaks Turkish and Kurdish. English is understood and basic forms of English will be conversed in. Turkish is compulsorily taught at school, also a high number of people also speak Arabic.
4. Culture and Religion: Turkey is a secular country and it has no official religion. Having said this, a massive 99 percent of the population identify themselves as Muslims. While the remaining 0.2 percents are Christians and 0.8 percent from other religions.
5. ​​​​​​​Public Holidays: Izmir celebrates the Gregorian New Year day and May Day with great enthusiasm. Government offices remain closed on other state holidays such as the Izmir Republic Day that falls on the 28th and 29th of October every year. 23rd of April is also an important date when Izmir celebrates its National Sovereignty Day and Children’s Day together.