In Europe there is no treatment at all. How they are treated in different countries of the world

Russians are accustomed to socialism, even those who have never lived under it are somehow accustomed to it genetically. The fact that medical care should be completely free for the population is taken for granted. Visiting a clinic, hospitalization in a hospital, calling an ambulance at home, all this is provided free of charge in our country.

How is the healthcare system and medicine structured in Europe? How is medical care provided there? For example, in Western Europe there is no demon paid medicine. . There is emergency free medical care. A huge number of private clinics and centers creates high competitiveness in this regard abroad great attention pays attention to the quality of services provided, on the website medextour.com you can see a catalog of many famous foreign medical clinics and institutions.

Today there are three types of organizations in the world medical care :

• The Semashko system, in other words, is a state system, such as it once was in the Soviet Union. This system is practiced in only 8 European countries: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal. However, nowhere and no one has the Soviet system in its pure form.
• Mandatory system health insurance, as we have now (). This system is used by most European countries: 25 countries, but the coverage of the population with such insurance varies. Not all citizens are insured everywhere; this is the case only in four out of twenty-five countries: France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy. In other countries, holders of free insurance range from 70%, as in Holland, to 85%, as in Germany. Moreover, you must pay for the insurance yourself, that is, it is not paid for by the state, like with us, it is a contribution from the personal budget. In some countries the contribution is a percentage of income, while in others it is the same for everyone. In any case, not everyone can afford insurance.
• Healthcare that is based in private practices and private insurance companies is not common. In Holland, up to 40% of the population is treated this way.

National health system

Each country, of course, has its own characteristics, which you can fully become familiar with only by experiencing them yourself (). But you can imagine the advantages and disadvantages of the system using an example. An example of a country with a national healthcare system would be Finland.

The country is divided into several districts, which in turn are divided into municipalities. The organization of medical care in a particular municipality remains at his choice. A “Health Center” (polyclinic) could be created here, maybe there would be one clinic for two municipal associations, or maybe it would pay for the services of private clinics. In any case, there is only one clinic for the entire municipality, and often you have to travel about 100 km to get help. At the Health Center, only pregnant women and newborns are observed free of charge, and schoolchildren are examined. All other services are provided by a resident of Finland in mandatory pays, despite the state system of payment for medicine, pays, however, not in full, but only 15%. How much is this? An appointment with a therapist costs 46 euros, with a pediatrician 77 euros, and with an eye doctor – 84 euros. That is, 15% will be from 7 to 10 euros. Considering that the average Finn earns 15 euros per hour (2800 per month), this is not much, but it is not free either.

There are 20 districts in Finland and each one has one hospital; if you need inpatient treatment, you are hospitalized here by referral from the Health Center. The patient cannot choose his own hospital: he is not considered competent in medical matters. There are 5 more university clinics where highly qualified care is provided. Patients also have no choice when purchasing medications. Medicines will not be dispensed without a prescription at all.

The cost of inpatient treatment is significantly higher than outpatient treatment, so Finns try to spend as little time as possible in the hospital. The patient pays only 5% of the treatment, but often this is not so little. For example, the cost eye surgery– 3000 euros. House for the day - about 500 euros. Even if the stay in the clinic does not last long, the total amount will be about 4,000 euros, and 5% of this amount will be 200 euros. For Finns this is not much; a person earns this much in about two days.

Compulsory health insurance

This system is common in many countries, for example in Germany. The doctor will see you at any time of the day, but only with a medical insurance policy. Without it, you don’t have to enter the office, even regardless of who is sick: a child or an adult. There is no calling a doctor to your home; in any case, in any condition, the patient either calls an ambulance or goes to the doctor himself.

The work of doctors is strictly accountable, each ailment corresponds to specific recommendations, which significantly limits the doctor’s creative approach. In case of violation of recommendations Insurance Company He just won’t pay for the work and that’s it. For example, for otitis media, antibiotics are recommended; there are no other options. If a child has the tenth otitis media in a year, no one will refer him for additional examination under insurance. This is only possible in private.

Judging by patient reviews in Germany, they are not often performed laboratory examinations, diagnoses are often made solely by history. This, of course, is an outpatient level of medicine, the simplest, but there is no such thing in a Russian clinic.

Inpatient treatment in Germany is popular throughout Europe, but doctors are leaving Germany itself because their wages here are significantly lower than in other EU countries. All clinics are well equipped, and many, but not all, use advanced technology. The usual operation (cholecystitis, hernia, etc.) is completely similar to the Russian one, the main difference is in the conditions at the department: here, of course, it is more comfortable.

People with disabilities are treated with special reverence here, although it is much more difficult to obtain such a status than in Russia (). A disabled person is considered to be a person who has a persistent loss of ability to work of 80% or higher (in our opinion, this is disability group II, or even I). But this part of the population has its own rights. They are paid a treatment allowance and a small pension ().

For example, so-called inclusive education is very common: teaching sick and healthy children in the same class. All public buildings are equipped specifically for people with special needs, so that they feel comfortable here. For example, in French Disneyland there are special chairs for disabled people on all attractions.

But the rehabilitation of children who cannot yet be recognized as disabled, according to the policy compulsory insurance is practically not carried out. For example, a regular massage course, which is given to everyone 4 times a year (in the first year of life) Russian child, it’s not done there at all. Rehabilitation centers are very expensive, although they have the widest capabilities. The clinics are equipped with good, new equipment, all studies are carried out on site, and an individual program is created for everyone.

The healthcare system of Western countries differs from the Russian one (), but not always in better side. If a person is rich, he will get the best here and there. If funds are limited, assistance will also be limited. Health care of the socialist type is, of course, more accessible to people, but it is necessarily devoid of choice. Insurance makes medical care difficult, but there is a choice.

Watch an interesting video

European medicine is a beautiful myth

A friend called me: “Have you read it? In an English hospital, the staff killed 1000 people! Horror! How can this be - this is an enlightened Europe!” But for some reason I wasn’t surprised. Alas. Tales of Splendor European medicine turned out to be the myth that was most painful to part with.

– Oh, you will immediately see the difference with Russia! Yes, we can tell you everything with one blood test! - a Viennese friend assured me, who, like all Austrians, believed that there was no better medicine than theirs.

My husband was the first to turn to the miracle doctors - his leg hurt for some reason.

– You only have general social insurance, right? - they asked him, - then go to the family doctor at your place of residence!

“Finally, I will find out what kind of family doctor you are, about whom all Russian patients dream!” – I thought dreamily, waiting for my husband.

By then I was surprised to discover that There are no clinics in Austria. At all. And if you are sick with something, you must first go to a general practitioner: there are several of them in the area (although you may not be tied to your place of residence.). And he will either prescribe treatment himself, or refer you for tests and then to specialists. A small detail - all the laboratories are also private and scattered throughout the city: in one place they take blood, in another they do X-rays and, in a third they check the heart... Well, the specialists also opened their offices where they liked. Not every patient can run around them all...! But what a professional level!

The husband returned discouraged.

“There, there...” he stuttered slightly. - Well, in general, I won’t go there again!

It turned out that our family doctor’s waiting room was the size of a closet, with nowhere to even sit (and in the Moscow clinic, I remember, there was a harpist playing in the marble hall!). And there were a lot of people. Someone sneezes and coughs, some old woman hums slightly, shaking her head, and a dark-skinned guy has blood dripping from his bandaged hand... When after an hour of waiting Immediately after the boy, the husband came into the office and saw bloody bandages on the floor, he felt sick. An elderly, tired doctor in a blood-stained robe silently wrote out a prescription for painkillers - and that was the end of his first meeting with advanced European medicine.

- Well, you should have taken out private insurance! – an Austrian friend immediately stopped our complaints. - The service there is completely different! Best clinics, professor!

We took heart. But then it turned out that good treatment in Europe they can only absolutely healthy people. That is, the insurance company, first of all, requires you to prove that you are not sick with anything - for this you undergo a mini-examination at your own expense.

More first-hand information about the sweet life in the West

For wealthy people who want to move to one of the European countries, it is important to know how national healthcare works there. - This is an already established system that has been operating successfully and efficiently for more than a century. The secret is in the insurance system, which covers all countries and the majority of their inhabitants. We will tell you in which European countries you can use high-quality medical services and which clinics you can go to to improve your health in our review today.

Insurance medicine in Europe

One of the main conditions for obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in most European countries is the purchase by the applicant of a health insurance policy. This should not surprise you, since insurance medicine is mainly common in European countries. It is valid in all EU countries.

• additional
• replacing
• duplicate
• mandatory

Each person pays for insurance independently from their personal budget. A number of states set the contribution in the form of certain amounts, while in other countries citizens pay a percentage of their income.

The main advantage of insurance is that the policy opens the doors to the best clinics (public and private) in Europe, while allowing you to significantly save on treatment costs. Health care delivery systems (and percentage of delivery free services) also differ significantly in different countries. However, in any case, having insurance, you receive the highest quality medical services, and pay much less for them (in some cases, you don’t pay at all).

Where is the best place to get treatment in Europe?

Germany

German clinics are rightfully considered the leaders and main innovators of European medicine. People come here to improve their health (including in the most difficult cases) people from all over the world. Health insurance in Germany can pay for heart transplants, joint replacements and others complex operations.

The German healthcare system has a high percentage of private medical practitioners– about 45%. Any doctor with the appropriate qualifications can open his own office. Competition is also very high, so each clinic tries to maintain the highest possible brand.

The best clinics in Germany with multidisciplinary treatment:

• Clinic of St. Martha and Mary (Munich)
• University Hospital (Bochum)
• Academic Center (Dortmund)

Great Britain

In UK 95% medical institutions belongs to the state, and about 10% of the state budget is allocated to healthcare. Such infusions have a positive effect on the quality of medical services. Doctors' services are available to everyone who has a residence permit or British citizenship. The cost of services remains stable as the government controls prices. Budgetary constraints reduce the likelihood that doctors will prescribe unnecessary drugs.

The best UK clinics with multidisciplinary treatment:

• University College London Clinics
• Wellington Clinic (London)
• HCA International Clinics (London)

Switzerland

The quality of medicine here is evidenced by the life expectancy of the Swiss. Men live here on average to 80 years of age, and women to 85 years of age. The secret is in advanced medical methods and environmental cleanliness. The cost of medical services is partially covered by the state, and partially paid by the residents of the country themselves - through insurance, which every holder of a residence permit or Swiss passport must have.

The best clinics in Switzerland with multidisciplinary treatment:

• University Hospital (Zurich)
• Clinic Generale-Beaulieu (Geneva)
• Clinic Genolier (Glinon).

Spain

In Spain, foreign citizens with a residence permit have the right to free medical care, since medicine here is 85% public. At the same time, the country regularly ranks among the Top 5 European countries in terms of the level of medicine and the qualifications of doctors. Residence permit holders receive an individual medical card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual - TSI), which allows them to contact government agencies. Patients pay 40-50% of the cost of medications prescribed after leaving the hospital. Pensioners over 65 years old pay only 10% of the cost of medicines.

The best clinics in Spain with multidisciplinary treatment:

• Catalan Hospital general profile Capio (Barcelona)
• Hospital Costadel Sol (Marbella)
• Quiron Clinic (Madrid)

Austria

There are several health insurance options in Austria:

• compulsory social
• voluntary social
• voluntary private

All citizens working in Austria, as well as pensioners, pay insurance premiums in the form of a percentage of their salary. Children are insured together with their parents. You can voluntarily enter into an insurance contract with a private insurance company. This document will allow you to choose a clinic and a doctor. Unemployed citizens can apply for voluntary social or private insurance. Whatever option you choose, in any case in Austria you are guaranteed high-quality treatment using advanced technologies.

The best clinics in Austria with multidisciplinary treatment:

• Vienna private clinic
• Private Clinic Leech (Graz)
• Evangelical Clinic (Vienna)

Portugal

There is a combination of a public health care system combined with insurance and private medicine. In most cases, residents of the country are entitled to 100% compensation for treatment costs, but in some areas of medicine (diagnostics, dentistry, hospital treatment, etc.) the state pays only 55-60% of the cost of services.

The best clinics in Portugal with multidisciplinary treatment:

• Hospital Da Luz (Lisbon)
• Lusíadas Medical Center (Lisbon)
• Todos Santos Hospital (Lisbon)

Greece

In this country, the healthcare system combines public and private principles. Most public clinics (about 80%) are concentrated in Athens and Thessaloniki. Moreover, in terms of the quality of services they are not inferior to German ones, and in terms of cost - significantly lower. There are state insurance companies in Greece, they fully cover hospital stays, ambulatory treatment.

The best clinics in Greece with multidisciplinary treatment:

• Interbalkan Medical Center (Thessaloniki)
• University Hospital "AHEPA" (Thessaloniki)
• St. Luke's Clinic (Thessaloniki)

Life expectancy in European countries

The best specialized clinics in Europe

How to start treatment in Europe?

Maintaining health and treating diseases is the primary task of every person. European countries offer ample opportunities to use high-class medical services. However, people who experience health problems are most often inconvenient to open a visa every time to go to Europe for treatment. What if you need to go to the doctor urgently?..

Treatment in clinics in Germany, Switzerland or Austria may well become affordable for you. Efficient and fast decision problems – obtaining a residence permit in one of the European countries under migration programs for investors. Apply for a residence permit for investing in the economy and get unlimited access to quality medicine. You will be able to travel around the EU without visas and use the services of public and private clinics.

Our specialists will help you find the most suitable way to obtain a residence permit. Call us or come to the office - we will offer you the easiest and shortest way to realize your dream of good health and longevity.

Why do Russians go abroad for treatment? Why not get treatment in Russia?

So, the main complaints of our patients who began their treatment in their homeland:

• the state of free domestic medicine;
  1. professional training doctors leave much to be desired;
  2. Very low level diagnosis leading to incorrectly prescribed treatment;
  3. medical equipment is often outdated, malfunctioning or missing;
  4. long queues for specialists, new diagnostic and therapy devices - you can wait for an appointment for months;
  5. low level of rehabilitation treatment and services;
  6. the wards in the clinics are designed for a large number of people; in general, the condition of the hospitals is depressing;
  7. ubiquitous bribes make the concept of “free” medicine an empty phrase;
• general disadvantages paid medicine
  1. many doctors come to paid clinics only for the sake of increased salaries, often they are not interested in advanced training;
  2. The following situation is common: management instructs doctors to “squeeze” maximum profits from patients. As a result, unnecessary procedures are prescribed and expensive medicines from pharmacies with which interest agreements have been concluded;
  3. Often to carry out full diagnostics there are not enough specialists. Therefore, you will still have to contact public clinics and wait your turn;
  4. The price level is comparable to prices abroad, but private clinics cannot offer such modern equipment and techniques as are practiced in Germany. In addition, doctors abroad, as a rule, have incomparably greater qualifications.

After all of the above, you don’t have to say anything more, since each of our fellow citizens has faced the problems of their native medical care. Everyone has complaints.

However, many may argue that we have outstanding doctors who selflessly save the lives of patients, new equipment is being purchased in some places... We cannot but agree with this, since this is also true! But several doctors and pieces of modern equipment, unfortunately, cannot even come close general level our medicine before European.

Some of the best clinics in Europe are in Germany!

Among all countries abroad, we especially highlight treatment. In Europe, it occupies not only the strongest position in the economy, but also in healthcare. Many German clinics are known throughout Europe and overseas. Patients from all over the world go there for treatment. Medical centers in Germany, without exaggeration, are located in the very high level modern medicine, with all its possibilities. Whatever disease you have, rest assured that in Germany there are clinics treating this disease at the university level!

At the same time, in Germany, all our patients highly appreciate the very attentive, “humane” attitude of doctors and all staff. And this does not depend on whether you are treated in an expensive clinic or not!

About the cost of treatment abroad

Compared to clinics in the USA or Israel, our patients, with experience of treatment abroad, note that the cost in Germany can be called the most predictable - no unexpected additional payments will be required from you. As a rule, the maximum cost is announced to the patient, and the funds remaining after treatment are returned to the client. You can pay for everything directly at the German clinic. In the USA and Israel, it’s the other way around - they tell you the minimum cost, you agree to treatment, and already at the clinic you will be faced with unpleasant surprises in the form of large co-payments. As a result, the amount you expected may double and this is not the limit. In addition, as a rule, treatment in Germany and abroad is not as expensive as many people think. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the receipts of our clients, which reflect the cost of the services provided.

• Examples of receipts with the cost of diagnosis and treatment in Germany

If you are still choosing where to undergo diagnosis and treatment - abroad or in private clinic in Russia, we provide you with several excerpts from reviews of treatment in European clinics.

Excerpts from patient reviews about treatment abroad in Europe

The Kurtikov-Antonov family

« in Russia... I don’t want to describe all our trips to clinics, district urologists, appointments for biopsy, MRI, osteoscintigraphy, constant PSA monitoring, waiting for results and diagnosis.

This can be expressed in three words: “walking through torment.” At the same time, perhaps the most unpleasant thing is to realize that no one is interested in you and your problems. One way or another, paid (in most cases) and free of charge, a diagnosis was finally made - (according to Gleason 6 (3 + 3). Conflicting recommendations on treatment methods were confusing. Each of the specialists we visited recommended either , or abdominal (laparotomy) surgery.

At the same time, almost everyone, referring to my husband’s age, said that the best thing in our situation was brachytherapy, which was prescribed at the beginning of 2014 in one of the high-tech clinics, for a fee. However, no one paid attention to the results of urofluorometry. Quite by accident, while studying methods of treating prostate cancer, we discovered that, provided large quantity residual urine in bladder(>50 ml), brachytherapy is strictly forbidden. This is what we reported to the doctor who was to perform this operation... After all these “discoveries”, we decided to independently study all the advantages and consequences of prostate cancer treatment methods...

in Germany ...And here miracles began for us. At the very first consultation (November 25, 2013), Professor Michael Truss identified by ultrasound all the problems that had been identified in Moscow for several months. Now it seems to us that you can go to the clinic even without a diagnosis, and do everything necessary examinations in one or two days, paying the same amount as in Moscow, while gaining time.... I would like to talk about the informal approach of the clinic staff to the patient’s doubts... Read »

Review by Evgeniy Shevchenko

in Russia ... (the review of the stage of diagnosis and treatment at home is so detailed and emotional that it is difficult for us to select excerpts).

« in Germany ... In general, I was admitted to the hospital... It should be noted that the hospital seemed like heaven on earth to me... Nice doctors... nurses. Some speak Russian... In general, I am cared for and in order... a beautiful room... everything is clean... comfortable... I felt like a homeless person who had been washed and taken to the royal ball... there is such a big difference with Russia, it’s just terrible... I felt ashamed of homeland...

After the procedures in Russia, I was like a hunted animal... my hands were stabbed... my ass was completely terrified... a hole in my belly... In short, Frankenstein's creation... Then they installed Vinflon and through it they began to infuse elixirs of life... I don’t know what they poured... but in the first three weeks I felt better... Read »

Review from Elena Borisova and daughter Anya

« in Germany ...Under one roof of 7 storeys medical center There are clinics and doctors of different specialties and areas. Very comfortably. After a detailed introductory conversation and having discussed in detail what laboratory blood parameters would be examined, we began ultrasound examinations, looked at heart parameters and checked the kidneys. Then we went up to the 6th floor to the cardiology clinic and performed cardiac stress tests, and on the 2nd floor, Professor Uhlenbrock had an MRI of the heart and a mammogram. The orthopedist also looked at my knee (after a ski injury last winter). He gave valuable advice and recommendations not to rush into the operation.

That's it, in 3.5 hours. At this time my 5 summer child I visited a pediatric cardiologist, allowed myself to be persuaded to donate blood for allergens, and was waiting for me in the company of a nurse and cartoons.

..No prepayments or overpayments for you. I pay for everything at the clinic after the examination. They will do only what is important and necessary... Read»

Review by Solovyov A.V. (surgeon, Tolyatti)

« in Russia ... Indications for radical surgery have been established. As a surgeon, I understood perfectly well that operations of such volume and complexity must be performed once in a lifetime, and that even in experienced hands a certain percentage of complications is inevitable.

...I started looking for an institution to perform my operation in Israel, since my friend and classmate lives and works as a doctor in Jerusalem. But as a result of in-depth medical, economic and professional marketing, comparison of organizational solutions for providing assistance to foreigners, I chose Germany and, in particular, MedHaus...

in Germany ... The results of the audit, which was carried out by Professor of Pathanatomy Lorenzen, were told to me by telephone by Doctor of Medicine Denis Anatolyevich Prokofiev, who supervised me. They more than shocked me. In the preparation in which it was previously described adenocarcinoma, it was not found. Instead, Lorenzen described atypical small acinar proliferation - ASAP.

I urgently contacted the specialist who conducted the research for me in Russia and asked how much he insisted on the diagnosis he had established, since my future fate depended on it. And, thank God, he replied that he was inclined to support the opinion of Professor Lorenzen. Well, since there is infiltrative growth, that is, there is no cancer, then a major operation is not indicated for me... Read »

A friend called me: “Have you read it? In an English hospital, the staff killed 1000 people! Horror! How can this be - this is enlightened Europe!” But for some reason I wasn’t surprised. Alas. Stories about the splendor of European medicine turned out to be the myth that was most painful to part with.

Oh, you will immediately see the difference with Russia! Yes, we can tell you everything with one blood test! - a Viennese friend assured me, who, like all Austrians, believed that there was no better medicine than theirs.

My husband was the first to turn to the miracle doctors - his leg hurt for some reason.

You only have general social insurance, right? - they asked him. - then go to the family doctor at your place of residence!

“Finally, I will find out what kind of family doctor you are, about whom all Russian patients dream!” - I thought dreamily, waiting for my husband.

By that time, I was surprised to discover that there are no clinics in Austria. At all. And if you are sick with something, you must first go to a general practitioner: there are several of them in the area (although you may not be tied to your place of residence.). And he will either prescribe treatment himself, or refer you for tests and then to specialists. A small detail - all the laboratories are also private and scattered throughout the city: in one place they take blood, in another they do X-rays and ultrasounds, in a third they check the heart... Well, specialists also opened their offices wherever they liked. Not every patient can run around them all...! But what a professional level!

The husband returned discouraged.

There, there... - he stuttered slightly. - Well, in general, I won’t go there again!

It turned out that our family doctor’s waiting room was the size of a closet, with nowhere to even sit (and in the Moscow clinic, I remember, there was a harpist playing in the marble hall!). And there were a lot of people. Someone is sneezing and coughing, some old woman is humming slightly, shaking her head, and a dark-skinned guy is dripping blood from his bandaged hand...

When, after an hour of waiting, the husband came into the office right after the boy and saw bloody bandages on the floor, he felt sick. An elderly, tired doctor in a blood-stained robe silently wrote out a prescription for painkillers - and that was the end of his first meeting with advanced European medicine.

Well, you should have gotten private insurance! - an Austrian friend immediately stopped our complaints. -The service is completely different there! The best clinics, professors!

We took heart. But then it turned out that only absolutely healthy people can receive good treatment in Europe. That is, the insurance company first of all requires you to prove that you are not sick with anything - for this you undergo a mini-examination at your own expense.

What if they find me sick? - I was amazed. - Well, for example, gastritis? Am I not going to be insured?

Why not? They can insure for the treatment of everything except gastritis,” a friend explained to us. - Well, if it’s something more serious, they’ll refuse.

But people want to treat what hurts?

You never know what they want! A car won't be insured against damage if it's already damaged? Why should a company risk its funds? - the crown convinced us.

And we set out to prove that we never get sick, but simply want to give our money to the insurance company for free.

The polite doctor himself took blood from our finger and immediately wrote out a check: 120 euros for the appointment and 100 euros for the blood test. From everyone.

And a week later he told us by phone that we were healthy and eligible for medical insurance.

I was surprised, but terribly happy! Because these Moscow doctors found so many things in me that they forbade me to eat and drink anything tasty!

For several months, despite various ailments, we were afraid to disturb Austrian medicine. They will also think that we are sick. They'll get angry...

But then chance intervened. My temperature rose to 39 and lasted for five days. Local doctors - both we and the insurance company called about five people - refused to visit me at home. They just didn't want to. They have the right - they have no responsibilities to their patients. There is no ambulance in our understanding either - you can call a car with a doctor for 500 euros to take you to the hospital. But I’m not ready for the hospital yet.

I had to go on my own with the temperature. Fortunately, through private insurance, we found a center that saw various specialists and had its own laboratories. But we are not the only ones so smart! It turned out that here you have to make an appointment with doctors a month in advance!

But I have a fever now! - I begged.

And what? And it's our turn! Okay, once you've arrived, wait! - the receptionist had mercy. And after two hours of waiting, I saw a doctor.

The doctor listened to my tale of woe for a few minutes and immediately began to write something.

Here is a prescription for an antibiotic, take it for 10 days!

But what do I have? Maybe you'll listen to me? Maybe I should take some kind of test?

For what? Whatever it is, it will go away with an antibiotic!

I didn’t know then that it was here main principle medicine. On the tenth day the fever actually went away. And who cares what hurt there...

I went to this elite clinic several more times. And tired. Wait an hour or more for an appointment, although you have an assigned time. So that later the always busy doctor, barely looking at you, immediately sends you out of sight to donate blood. To find out the results, you need to sign up for next appointment. A month later... Once I received a consultation from an ENT professor. He immediately clicked his tongue: he needs to have a nasal septum operation!

I won't! - I resisted.

The annoyed professor immediately lost interest in me.

Do you have 150 euros with you? - asked businesslike.

Eat! - I was taken aback.

Let's!

He took my money, quickly wrote out some kind of receipt and immediately showed me out the door without talking. I have never spent 150 euros so quickly - it all took less than three minutes.

But maybe we are so fatally unlucky? I talked to my friends. A friend of mine sat outside the doctor’s office for three hours with a child who had just broken a finger. And she left - despite the expensive insurance, they were never accepted. Another friend had her teeth inserted at the clinic for a lot of money. Beautiful. Only she could not talk or eat.

There were also life-affirming examples. Our friend worked as a chief engineer at an Austrian plant. And suddenly he was diagnosed with heart disease. Need bypass surgery. The company fired him immediately so as not to pay expensive insurance. A hospital without insurance refused to operate on him. He borrowed money. Had surgery. To spite his former bosses, he opened his own company. And he became a millionaire. Yes, medicine can work miracles!

I went on the forums. It turns out that many Russians travel from Vienna to Moscow for treatment. They can’t stand the local order.

Understand, there is no good and bad medicine! There are good and bad doctors - and in any country you need to look for them, - a Russian friend who has lived in Vienna for a long time instructed me.

Of course it is. Yes, yes good doctors in Austria. I just never got caught. But still...

I cursed our medicine for a very long time. And now I’m just sure: the Soviet healthcare system was the best. It is precisely as a system of serving the population that Europe has never dreamed of. Yes, there was a lack of modern equipment, there were no new drugs. Well, this is how these issues had to be resolved.

Instead, we are trying to adopt the best European experience of family doctors, which will destroy the remnants of what was good we had. I'm afraid that our sick population will not survive such a battle for health!

Because the secret of the myth of brilliant European medicine was revealed to me. There are great medicines here. Modern. No fakes. They do the main work for doctors. Maybe that's why they are not sold without a prescription.

Well, a very conscious population. I kept thinking: where does such a craving for physical education and sports come from? Everyone, young and old, rides bikes, skis down the mountains, plays golf, walks through the forests with sticks... But they are simply afraid of their European medicine!

P.S. according to acquaintances, it’s not far from the truth; in Holland the ambulance only arrives if you convince them that you’ll be off the hook in half an hour; When the body temperature is below +39, they don’t begin to treat at all, they say the body will cope on its own. In the USA, friends of mine prescribed their child to drink... water when they have the flu, since the disease is viral and an antibiotic will not help (they didn’t forget to take the money for the appointment)