Home Patient Care Improves Patients' Quality of Life
What Is the Home Patient Care Program?
Patients require not only curative healthcare services but also preventive, supportive, rehabilitative, and social care services. The Home Patient Care Program was established to meet the growing demand for these services.
Today, the increasing average life expectancy, the growing elderly population, advances in medicine and technology that enable many healthcare services to be delivered at home, shorter hospital stays, and the rise of outpatient surgical procedures have significantly increased the importance of home patient care.
Home patient care primarily focuses on meeting an individual's healthcare and daily care needs within the comfort of their own home. The program aims to improve patients' quality of life by enabling them to receive the healthcare and support they need without being separated from their families or social environments. The scope of home patient care varies according to each individual's specific needs.
Providing a Better Quality of Life Through Home Patient Care
The Home Patient Care Program at Üsküdar University aims to educate qualified home care technicians who possess the knowledge and practical skills to:
Monitor treatment plans prescribed by relevant medical clinics for patients receiving care at home.
Educate family members or caregivers responsible for patient care.
Provide support to mothers requiring prenatal and postnatal care.
Improve the quality of life of elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and individuals requiring long-term care.
Qualifications Required for a Home Patient Care Technician
- Understand the importance of home healthcare services.
- Recognize the value of teamwork.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals within a multidisciplinary team.
- Know the stages and principles of conducting home visits.
- Be familiar with the equipment and medical devices commonly used in home patient care.
- Be able to establish a safe environment for patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Possess effective communication skills.
- Respect patient rights and adhere to ethical principles.
- Be knowledgeable about interventions designed to meet individuals' healthcare needs and apply them appropriately.
- Understand the importance of maintaining accurate records and documentation.
What Courses Are Offered in the Home Patient Care Program?
The Home Patient Care Program is a two-year associate degree program.
Throughout their education, students take courses including:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Positive Psychology and Communication Skills
- Growth and Development
- Pharmacology
- First Aid
- Disease Knowledge
- Chronic Diseases
- Infectious Diseases
- Disability Care and Rehabilitation
- Social Rehabilitation
- Gerontological Social Services
- Professional Ethics
Theoretical instruction is supported by practical field training through the Home Patient Care Principles and Practices courses, which are conducted in the home care units of public and private healthcare institutions.
Career Opportunities for Home Patient Care Program Graduates
Graduates of the Home Patient Care Program may work under professional supervision in:
- Social service institutions and child welfare centers
- Municipalities
- Hospitals
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Nursing homes
- Elderly care centers
- Residential care facilities
- Daycare centers for older adults
- Home healthcare service providers
- Home environment modification and patient support services
- Assisted living and supported housing facilities
Since February 2012, graduates who achieve the required score on the Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS) have also been eligible for employment within the Ministry of Health.
Double Major (ÇAP) Opportunities
- Disability Care and Rehabilitation
- Elderly Care
- Child Protection and Care Services
- Bachelor's Degree Programs Available Through the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS)
- Nursing
- Gerontology
- Social Work
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
- Health Management
- Emergency Aid and Disaster Management
