European University of Lefke (EUL) School of Health organized a panel themed “Forensic-Medical Problems and Approaches in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Services”. Expert Paramedic Tarık Balcı made a presentation themed “Current Issues in Pre-Hospital Emergency Health Services “ and Prof. Dr. Nevzat Alkan “Forensic Approaches in Pre-Hospital Emergency Health Services “ in the panel which was moderated by the Director of EUL’s School of Health Prof. Dr. Deniz Şelimen.

Balcı: It is very difficult to tell someone about the profession whose knowledge was limited from 1998 to the beginning of 2003

Balcı said that “It is very difficult to tell someone about the profession whose knowledge was limited from 1998 to the beginning of 2003” and added that despite the ambulances and 112 Health Line, they couldn’t work. He further stated that then, by a ministry decision, the physicians in the ambulances were withdrawn from the family health center and the paramedics were employed and added that they were appointed to the public service on December 2003. Balcı stated that they are appointed to the public service with a vocational exam conducted by the Ministry of Education and added that “At that time we had a total of 300 people and the public was taking 450 people. Then, until 2014, regular paramedic recruitment continued. In 2014, all paramedics were assigned to KPSS, no matter what score they received”. Balcı stated that for this reason The Department of Paramedics is still the most preferred associate degree in ÖSYM and added that “There are currently around 5000-6000 paramedics’ recruitment every two years. During each KPSS period, this amount of paramedic recruitment continues. This year we are still expecting a recruitment in that amount”.

Balcı who worked as a team leader of the International Medical Rescue Team in the 2005 Pakistan earthquake said that he took part in the 1999 Marmara Earthquake, in the meetings held between 2001-2006 in İstanbul, in the rescue efforts of 2005 İzmir train accident and 2005 Indonesia earthquake. He also conveyed information and gave examples from his experiences related with the emergency health care to the students.

Alkan: The issue of medical malpractice is very important

Alkan said that “When field of work includes more determination, we do the evaluations. The issue of medical malpractice is very important” and added that when a health care worker is accused, the patient of the relative of the patient can send a petition to the Presidency Contact Center, Ministry of Health Communication Center. Pointing out that this center is really efficient, Alkan said that “The values are being processed and you tell the interested person about this and then an investigation is opened. When you work as a nurse in the future you will see that the patient and relatives are angry and tend to complain when they come. When the emergency medical team goes to the scene, they can face an angry group and therefore become more open to violence”.

Alkan pointed out that when there is a malpractice, this is evaluated by an expert and added that “Medical doctors evaluate a nurse’s mistake. But there are various structures when evaluating. These structure may include forensic reports, clinician physicians and nurses”. Alkan also informed the students about the functioning of the files with legal complaints in forensic medicine.

The panel concluded after the questions of the students.