Zekai Tarım, MD

Zekai Tarım, MD is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist at Acibadem Dr. Sinasi Can (Kadikoy) Hospital in İstanbul, where he practices within the Pulmonology unit. His work also extends to the hospital’s Smoke-Free Life and Immunology and Allergic Diseases services, reflecting a clinical interest in smoking cessation support and allergy-related respiratory conditions alongside the general evaluation of lung disease. He has more than 48 years in medicine.

Dr. Tarım graduated from Şehremini High School in 1978 and completed his medical degree at İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1984. He went on to specialist training in Chest Diseases at Heybeliada Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Hospital, which he completed in 1992. His early career included a position in Chest Diseases at Buldan Chest Diseases Hospital from 1992 to 1993, followed by work in Chest Diseases at İstanbul Polis Hospital from 1993 to 1999. He has been associated with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 1994. He is a member of the Türk Toraks Association.

Clinical focus

Dr. Tarım evaluates and manages a broad range of lung diseases. His areas of expertise include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia. He also assesses patients with pulmonary embolism, lung nodules, and lung and thoracic cancers, where the pulmonologist’s role typically involves the initial evaluation, review of imaging and coordination with other specialties as needed.

A further part of his practice concerns immunology and allergic diseases, including allergen immunotherapy for suitable patients with allergy-related respiratory symptoms. Within the Smoke-Free Life service, he offers smoking cessation support to patients who wish to stop smoking, an area closely connected to the prevention and management of COPD and other smoking-related lung conditions. Treatment plans are individualized, and the appropriate approach depends on the patient’s diagnosis, overall health and the findings of the clinical assessment. Where a condition requires input from other disciplines, such as thoracic surgery or oncology, the pulmonary assessment forms part of a wider evaluation.

How Dr. Tarım works with international patients

Dr. Tarım consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as chest CT or X-ray 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 would like to discuss their case with Dr. Tarım remotely.