Why TUS exam fraud harms most valuable Turkish MDs who could have private health offices
The focus in healthcare has shifted toward maintaining a stable, cost-effective system rather than fostering excellence. This results in a preference for MDs who may not have the same level of expertise but are part of a stable, lower-paying workforce, sometimes due to questionable activities like exam fraud (e.g., TUS exam fraud of 1987).
This system is flawed because it prioritizes stability and cost reduction over quality, which can ultimately harm both healthcare workers and patients. The fact that the most knowledgeable MDs are undervalued and underpaid, while those who might engage in unethical TUS frauds are promoted, is a significant concern for the integrity of healthcare.
The Problem with Fraud and Low Standards
The prevalence of fraud within the Turkish TUS system, particularly with the TUS exam question bank theft as in 1987(now it is a better exam system by ÖSYM TUS organisation), and the promotion of certain uzmanlar who may not be fully qualified, is deeply troubling. These individuals—who gain their positions through unethical means—often settle for low-paying, long-hour jobs in government hospitals, which perpetuates a system that does not reward excellence.
Truly elite MDs are not those who engage in TUS fraud but those who dedicate themselves to their education, training, and practice. By allowing these TUS fraudsters to continue while pushing highly qualified doctors out of the system, the government is not only harming the healthcare system but also devaluing the talent and expertise that is needed to improve Turkish Private Sector healthcare outcomes.
