Merve Güvendi, Physiotherapist

Merve Güvendi is a physiotherapist in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation unit at Acibadem Kozyatagi Hospital in İstanbul. Her work centers on cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, including pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, respiratory physiotherapy, exercise tolerance training and respiratory function rehabilitation for people living with cardiac and pulmonary conditions. She has more than 13 years in medicine and works in Turkish and English.

Merve Güvendi studied at Bilgi University School of Health, completing her program in 2015, and went on to İstanbul University / Cardiology Institute / Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, which she completed in 2016. Her clinical training included internships between 2013 and 2015 at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, Romatem Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, Memorial Ataşehir Hospital, Turkish Armed Forces Care and Rehabilitation Center (Gata), Temas Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, Therapy Art Center and Erenköy Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital. She then worked at Private Referans Education and Rehabilitation Center (2015–2016), Private Pendik Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center (2016–2018) and Özel Örnek Medical Center (2019–2020). In 2020 she worked at Emi Pilates and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services. She is a member of the Türk Toraks Association and the Turkish Respiratory Research Association.

Clinical focus

Merve Güvendi’s practice is concentrated on cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. In pulmonary rehabilitation, she works with patients who have pulmonary conditions, using respiratory physiotherapy and respiratory function rehabilitation to support breathing and day-to-day activity. In cardiac rehabilitation, she works with patients who have cardiac conditions, with exercise tolerance training forming a central part of the program.

Her approach is assessment-led: the rehabilitation plan is built around the individual patient’s current function, medical history and the treatment they have already received. Programs are adjusted over time according to how the patient responds, and the physiotherapy component is delivered in coordination with the treating medical team within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation unit.

How Merve Güvendi works with international patients

Merve Güvendi works in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, for example MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation before traveling or to follow up after a rehabilitation program.