Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the views of family physicians who are the most important stakeholders in the referral and who initiate referral processes in the referral, about the effects, necessity, viability and sustainability of the referral.

Materials and Method: In this study, family physicians working in the central districts of Ankara province were interviewed face to face using a semi-structured interview form designed to reveal their thoughts on the referral.

Result: As a result of the analyzes, it was evaluated that the implementation of the referral would not be appropriate in the existing primary healthcare services. Especially the excess of the population dependent to a family physician appears as the biggest obstacle for the application of the referral and this dependent population has to be reduced. In addition to the effort to reduce the population dependent to a family physician, the standardization of Family Health Centers and the improvement of the physical and technical capacities of these centers are another requirement. On the other hand, the inadequacy of the health literacy level of the society also creates difficulties in the implementation and maintenance of the referral. In this context, in addition to the interventions that need to be done in terms of service provision, public-oriented activities should also be carried out.

Conclusion: This study suggests that it is important to take the views of family physicians and all other stakeholders and take steps in the light of these opinions before implementing the referral.

Keywords: referral, health policy, family medicine, primary care services, health system