A Qualitative Study on Organized Health Trainings for Adults at Family Health Centers

Objectives: The aim of this study is to reveal the current situation of health education held for adults in family health centers based on the opinions and experiences of health professionals who have been arranging these trainings. Materials and Methods: The research group on this study consists of six family practitioners and eight staffs of family health who work in family health care centers which are located in Mamak and Çankaya districts in Ankara. In order to collect data, a semi-structured interview form was used. In the first part of the form, there are questions that reveal the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants of the study; the second part includes questions concerning the health trainings they have arranged. All interviews were made face to face. The data was analyzed by content analysis method. Results: It was found out that health professionals participating in the survey were not regularly trained about health education or adult education and that they have not used any pedagogical andrographic methods during the planning, organizing and evaluation stages of their training. Health professionals indicated that they usually take the advantage of their occupational experiences and consider the applicants’ educational expectations and their developmental phases during the trainings. Conclusion: A majority of the trainings taking part in family health care centers do not reach its purpose. Trainings will be more likely to succeed if health professionals are trained in how to arrange their trainings.