Hospital, Polyclinic, and Private Doctor’s Office
Healthcare System in the Czech Republic – Part One
Not knowing the healthcare system in a foreign country can catch you off guard during both happy and unexpected events. In the following series of articles, we would like to explain the way the healthcare system in the Czech Republic works and share some of our tips and experiences.
The first of four articles will introduce you to the three types of healthcare facilities that exist in the Czech Republic: 1) private doctor’s office; 2) polyclinic; 3) hospital.
1) Private doctor’s office
A medical office doesn’t necessarily have to be part of a polyclinic or hospital. It can be situated, for example, in an apartment building or a business centre. The office may belong to a single doctor or be shared by several specialists, such as general practitioners.
Not only general practitioners but also specialists such as gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, allergists, ophthalmologists, and otolaryngologists (ENT) may have their own private practices.
Making an appointment and referrals – how does it work?
There may be different ways of making an appointment and registering with a doctor. Some doctors accept patients without a previous appointment, while others require it. Therefore, it’s essential to check the website of the doctor’s office or contact them via phone or email in advance. The same rule applies to referrals – sometimes they are required, and sometimes they are not. If you need a referral, you can ask your GP to provide one.
Regarding rehabilitation facilities, there’s a myth going around that you can only visit one by referral. The truth is that it’s highly individual, and some facilities can examine you without one.
Getting ready for a visit
Before you decide to visit a doctor’s office, make sure to check the website. Usually, it contains important information about ways of making an appointment and the office’s opening hours. Keep in mind that there are often specific slots for patients with appointments and those without. For example: Monday and Wednesday: 8:00-12:00 only for patients with an appointment, 13:00-15:00 for patients without an appointment.
Important to note: If it’s a private doctor’s office, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay for the visit. ‘Private’ in this case means that the doctor is not a hospital or a polyclinic employee but is self-employed.
2) Polyclinic
A polyclinic is a complex that brings together the offices of various specialists in one building. Doctors may be employees of the polyclinic, or they may simply rent offices for their own practice. That’s why you may find two cardiology offices in one polyclinic, each belonging to a different medical company that may differ from the name of the polyclinic itself.
A polyclinic usually offers a wide variety of medical care services. For example, you can find general practitioners, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, and other specialists in one place.
As with private doctor’s offices, we recommend that you get informed about the need for making an appointment, providing a referral, and the opening hours in advance.
What are the benefits of a polyclinic?
One of the main advantages of a polyclinic is its unified patient data management system. If the individual practices are connected, you are assigned a single patient number. This allows a general practitioner to easily access your results and reports from specialists.
This access helps save time and administrative work for both you and your doctor. You don’t have to repeatedly bring reports from other examinations as the information can be found in the system. In this way, communication between doctors is simplified and the quality of medical care is improved.
3) Hospital
In a hospital, you can find specialized departments such as orthopaedics, internal medicine, urology, and others, as well as an emergency department and urgent care. Ordinary departments usually operate during the day, for example, until 15:00. If you arrive after this time, you will have to go to the emergency room or urgent care.
For example, if you fall and feel like you have an injury or a fracture, you will be treated at the orthopaedics department during opening hours. If you arrive after opening hours, you will have to go to the emergency room.
As a general rule, hospitals are well-signposted. You will always find a map of individual departments, or you can go to the reception desk where they will give you directions.
When should you go to the hospital?
The hospital is the right place for dealing with more complex problems that you cannot consult your general practitioner about. Here are some typical situations:
- an acute condition at night or at the weekend when GP offices are closed
- the absence of your doctor, for example, due to their leave
- a situation requiring a specialised medical examination or intervention that your doctor referred you for
Scheduling an appointment
If your health condition is not severe, keep in mind that going to a hospital usually involves several steps. First, you will get an appointment with a hospital doctor. The doctor will decide on further medical procedures, and only after that will the date for a possible intervention or operation be set.
What should I do in case of emergency?
If you feel unwell and you cannot make your way to the hospital yourself, call an ambulance:
- 158: call takers speak Czech and ambulances typically arrive faster using this number.
- European number 112: call takers speak several European languages, but it might take slightly longer for an ambulance to arrive using this number.
Tip: download the Záchranka app (zachrankaapp.cz). Once activated, the rescue squad can locate you using GPS. This app is especially useful when you don’t know your exact location, for example, when in the mountains or the forest.
A few final tips:
- Be polite: Czechs value good manners. Greet the doctor, nurse, and even other patients in the waiting room. Say goodbye when leaving.
- Bring your medical information: have pictures of your regular medications and, if necessary, medical reports from previous examinations. This information is crucial for doctors to choose the appropriate treatment.
- Manage your medical records: make copies (or photos) of medical reports and discharge summaries. Give the originals to your GP to be filed in your medical record.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you need accompaniment to a doctor’s appointment due to a language barrier, please contact our intercultural workers. If you can’t reach them by phone, send them an email or a message, and they will get back to you shortly.
If you want to know more about the healthcare system or are having trouble finding a doctor, call our information line +420 252 543 846 and information workers will schedule a free consultation for you.
Read other articles from the series Healthcare System in the Czech Republic:
- Hospital, Polyclinic, and Private Doctor’s Office
