Turkish doctor titles can look a bit cryptic if you’re used to the UK system. You might see abbreviations like Op. Dr., Uzm. Dr., Doç. Dr. or Prof. Dr. in a clinic’s Instagram bio, on a hospital website, or on your quote document — and it’s natural to wonder what they actually mean.
The good news: these aren’t random marketing labels. They’re commonly used shorthand for specialist training and academic seniority. The catch is that titles alone don’t confirm who will perform your procedure, how experienced they are in that exact treatment, or what safety systems are in place.
Below, you can find a simple guide walking you through the different titles you may encounter when looking up doctors in Turkey.
Dr. (Doctor)
In Turkey, Dr. generally indicates a qualified medical doctor. On its own, it doesn’t tell you whether the doctor is a specialist in the area you’re seeking treatment for.
What to ask:
- “What is your specialty (if any)?”
- “Which department do you work in?”
- “Who will actually carry out my procedure?”
Uzm. Dr. — Uzman Doktor (Specialist Doctor)
Uzm. Dr. means specialist doctor. This indicates the doctor has completed recognised postgraduate specialty training (similar in spirit to completing specialty training in the UK, though systems aren’t identical).
You may see Uzm. Dr. in specialties such as:
- dermatology
- ENT
- anaesthesiology
- obstetrics & gynaecology
- orthopaedics
- general surgery
- and many others
What it tells you:
- They are trained in a recognised specialty — not a generalist.
What it doesn’t tell you:
- How many times they’ve done your procedure.
- Their outcomes, complication patterns, or revision rates.
- Whether they will personally perform the critical parts of the treatment.
Smart follow-up questions:
- “How many of this exact procedure do you personally perform in a typical month?”
- “What are the most common complications you see, and how do you manage them?”
- “If there’s a complication out of hours, who is responsible and where would I be treated?”
Op. Dr. — Operatör Doktor (Operating Doctor / Surgeon)
Op. Dr. is commonly used for doctors who operate — essentially signalling a surgical doctor.
A key point for patients: Op. Dr. doesn’t automatically mean ‘top surgeon’. It’s more of a descriptor: this doctor is an operator. What matters next is confirming their specialty and their role in your specific procedure.
This is particularly important in fields where large teams may be involved, or where parts of the procedure can be delegated in unsafe ways.
What to ask:
- “Are you a specialist in plastic surgery / ENT / etc.?”
- “Will you be the primary operator from start to finish?”
- “Which steps will you personally perform?”
Doç. Dr. — Doçent Doktor (Associate Professor)
Doç. Dr. is an academic title, usually translated as Associate Professor. It often indicates the doctor has met certain academic requirements and may teach, publish research, or hold a university-affiliated appointment pathway.
What it can suggest:
- Academic experience and seniority.
- Possible involvement in teaching and research.
What it doesn’t guarantee:
- That they personally carry out every procedure.
- Better outcomes for routine procedures.
- Better communication, aftercare, or availability.
What to ask anyway:
- “How often do you personally perform this procedure?”
- “Who will be in theatre / in the treatment room with you?”
- “If you aren’t available, who provides cover?”
Prof. Dr. — Profesör Doktor (Professor)
Prof. Dr. means Professor — a senior academic title.
Many patients assume “Professor” always equals “best”. Sometimes it does correlate with experience, but it’s not a guarantee of hands-on volume in the exact procedure you’re having, who will actually treat you on the day, or the quality of the aftercare plan.
In some settings, a professor may handle consultation and oversight, while another surgeon/doctor does significant parts of the procedure. That isn’t automatically bad — but it should be transparent.
Essential questions if you’re paying for a Prof. Dr.:
- “Will you be the primary operator for my procedure?”
- “Which parts will you personally do?”
- “Who is my day-to-day doctor during recovery?”
A quick cheat sheet
- Uzm. Dr. = Specialist doctor (trained in a recognised specialty)
- Op. Dr. = Operating doctor / surgeon (confirm specialty + what they personally do)
- Doç. Dr. = Associate Professor (academic rank)
- Prof. Dr. = Professor (senior academic rank)
The most important takeaway: verify the person and the plan
Titles are useful context — but safe care is about the full picture. Before you commit, try to get clear answers on:
- Who performs the critical parts of the procedure
- Where it will take place (hospital vs clinic setting)
- What emergency cover exists
- What aftercare is included, and who is responsible
- What’s in writing (treatment plan, consent, costs, exclusions)
If a provider is reputable, they won’t be offended by sensible questions — they’ll answer them.
FAQs
Is “Op. Dr.” higher than “Uzm. Dr.”?
Not necessarily. Op. Dr. highlights that the doctor operates. Uzm. Dr. indicates recognised specialist training. The key is confirming the specialty and the doctor’s role in your treatment.
Does “Prof. Dr.” guarantee better results?
No. It can indicate seniority, but outcomes depend on the individual’s experience with your specific procedure, the facility, the team, and the aftercare plan.
What should I ask if I’m unsure who will treat me?
Ask directly: “Who will perform my procedure, and which steps will they personally do?” Request it in writing.
