In the Netherlands, the GP is the first point of contact if you have questions about your health or illnesses. A visit to the GP is low-threshold and is reimbursed through the basic package of your health insurance. This insurance is compulsory and covers a standard package, including primary care by GPs. A visit to the GP is outside the deductible.
All Dutch residents are registered with a local GP practice of their choice. A GP provides ongoing medical care to patients of all ages and both sexes. GPs act as gatekeepers for hospital and specialist care. They offer out-of-hours services through GP cooperatives across the country.
Most GPs work in small practices (2-5 doctors) close to the community and these practices are usually owned by the GPs themselves. Over the past decade, collaboration between practices has increased and larger teams and organisational networks have emerged. These networks also include other disciplines, such as physiotherapists, psychologists and district nurses.
For many newcomers, the main difference between medical care in the Netherlands and their home country is the central role of the GP. The GP is your first point of contact for questions about your physical and mental health. The GP also performs minor surgical procedures and, for example, standard gynaecological and paediatric examinations. In addition, the GP is trained to determine when you need to be seen by another healthcare specialist. Therefore, your GP is also your link to most other services, such as other medical specialists or hospitalisation if needed. You cannot visit a medical specialist in hospital without a referral from your GP.
The first point of contact in your GP practice, by phone or at the counter, is the GP assistant. Using medical guidelines and triage, the GP assistant determines the appropriate care and urgency. This may lead to medical advice or an appointment with a GP, practice nurse or the GP assistant herself. Appointments can be made online, at the practice or at home. GP assistants are medical professionals who work closely with the GP and are bound by a duty of confidentiality.
A GP assistant is professionally trained to give advice on a wide range of ailments and diseases. She can also discuss lab or test results with the patiu00ebnt after the GP has reviewed them.
The general practitioner assistant is fully qualified and trained to carry out various treatments and examinations on patients independently or at the doctor's behest. These include cervical smears, urine tests, blood pressure checks, injections, glucose tests and earwax removal.
If you have Dutch health insurance, the cost of your visit to the GP will be paid by your health insurer. The GP informs your health insurer that you are registered at the practice.
If you go to a GP who does not have a contract with your health insurer, you may be asked to pay a co-payment. A co-payment means that you have to pay part of the costs yourself. You may have to pay a co-payment for certain tests. Your health insurer will send you a bill for these costs.
An annual health check is not recommended by Dutch GPs. This is because scientific evidence suggests that general health checks are unlikely to be useful and may even be harmful. If you are concerned and still want a general check-up, discuss this with your GP.
Private providers offer all kinds of health checks, but these are generally not reimbursed by Dutch health insurers.
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