Introduction

International Doctor is a network of health care professionals who offer medical care in different languages. The members work in Spain (Barcelona) and Holland (Bilthoven and Amsterdam).

The network was founded by Dr. Charlotte Deen in September 2004. All current members were trained in the Netherlands.

International Doctor offers our patient medical assistance in their own language and thanks to our collaboration with local health care professionals, we can refer the patient to them if needed. We also provide information about health care issues.

On the other hand we offer health care professionals a medium for low threshold consulting, discussing cases and staying up to date with new developments.

Philosophy

International Doctor was founded to serve several goals.

Use your own language

If you need medical care it might be difficult to explain yourself properly, even in your own language. We, as members of International Doctor do provide the possibility to use your own language to explain your symptoms. We are convinced that being a health care professional we have the obligation to try to understand our patient very well. That is the only way to provide the proper solution. Information about your personal circumstances do also play an important role to choose the optimal treatment.

Being ill in a foreign country

Cultural differences are sometimes difficult to point out before you experience them yourselve. In a different culture patients and health care professionals might deal in a different way with disease. Different habits do have different consequences. You could experience this positively, but also negatively.

Moreover, being ill in a foreign country might arise more uncertainty and fear than it would if you were in your own country. You don't know where to go and if you know, you might be worried not being able to be understood properly.

To which hospital should I go?

The organization of the health care systems differs between countries. These differences can be confusing and result in unpleasant surprises. On our website we offer you information regarding several of these issues.

Spain has a public and a private health care system. The difference is based on a different health care insurance system. The public system is comparable with the National Health Security in the UK. In public hospitals you can be attended for free if you do have a public health care insurance (Seguridad Social). If you are not registered at the Seguridad Social, you'll have to pay.

In private hospitals and medical centers you can be attended if you have a Spanish private insurance, but only if the corresponding professional and/or hospital does have a contract with the same company. If you do not have such an insurance, you'll have to pay. If you do have a private insurance in your country, do check which costs are covered and which are not, to be able to reimburse the money afterwards. The prices are not fixed, so it is recomendable to inform yourselve priorly. In case you have to be admitted to a hospital, you have to be operated on or you have to get an expensive diagnostic test done, do check with your insurance company in advance.

You can find answers on various issues behind the FAQs (=frequent asked questions) button.

More information about Spain on the turist information site.

Where do we work?