As a society, most of the terms in health information are not fully known, even if we experience the disease. The project, which will be implemented by young entrepreneurs in Turkish, English and Arabic, provides support to sick citizens by providing content on topics such as the correct use of MHRS and Neyim Var applications, patient rights, basic health information, prevention and management of diseases. Tunahan Tarakcı, one of the founders of the project, who stated that these contents are supported by a quiz consisting of 5 questions, says, “With this project, we aimed to prevent information pollution in the field of health on the internet and to easily bring medical information to the society.”
HEALTH INFORMATION CAN BE EXPRESSED WITH CORRECT TERMS
Lack of health information, especially complex medical terms, delays patients and their relatives from reaching accurate conclusions about their health. For example, when patients search for terms in test results on the internet instead of consulting a doctor and misinterpret them, this can lead to many negative outcomes, including delayed diagnosis. Therefore, patients’ right to access accurate health information is of vital importance.
REMOVES LANGUAGE BARRIERS IN HEALTH
With the intensive investments made in the health sector in recent years, Turkey attracts attention with its well-equipped physician staff and renovated hospitals. Turkey, which ranks first in the world in health tourism, is the first address preferred by foreign tourists for treatment. However, tourists who come to Turkey to seek healing may sometimes experience some difficulties due to language barriers and cultural differences. Considering the differences in the health system of each country, the fact that foreign guests can access accurate information about Turkey’s health system makes it easier to treat their illnesses and resolve their complaints.
HEALTH LITERACY FOR EVERYONE
The accessiblehealth.com project, which aims to increase the health literacy of the society and facilitate access to health information, aims to help individuals make more conscious health decisions. The project, which allows everyone to easily access health information regardless of age, gender and education level, aims to support healthy living and increase health awareness in society.
WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ACCESSIBLE IN THE PROJECT?
Founded by Soykan Baş (Dartmouth 2027 term), Tunahan Tarakcı (Robert College 12th grade student) and Metehan Tarakcı (Üsküdar American High School 12th grade student), the ulsilabilirsaglik.com project aims to provide users with content in three languages.
The modules in the project include videos prepared by health professionals who are experts in their fields, including basic health information, disease prevention and management, patient rights, the correct use of the Central Physician Appointment System, which allows appointments to be made from state hospitals, dental health centers affiliated with the Ministry of Health and family physicians, and the details of the What’s wrong with me application, which allows patients to receive a preliminary diagnosis according to their complaints and symptoms.
VIDEO LESSONS AND REINFORCEMENT QUIZZES IN THREE LANGUAGES
In order to help foreign patients, subtitles will be provided in English and Arabic in videos prepared in Turkish. After the video lessons prepared in a simple language, users are supported with interactive quizzes. The quizzes, consisting of 5 questions, aim to reinforce the topics in the video content.
“ACCESSIBLE, RELIABLE HEALTH FOR EVERYONE”
Tunahan Tarakcı, who is a member of the project team, talks about the founding purpose of ulasilabilirsaglik.com, its goals and what is included in the project content.
Referring to the lack of health information in society, Tunahan Tarakcı explains how the project was established by saying, “Although everyone has the right to access accurate and reliable health information, many people find medical jargon confusing. Our encounter with people who have experienced this situation motivated us to prepare comprehensive and understandable training modules.”
DISADVANTAGED GROUPS WILL BE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR HEALTH
Tunahan Tarakcı, who also made statements about the project’s objectives, stated that they aimed to close the information gap in the field of health and to help disadvantaged groups, especially refugees, better manage their health.