I guess the real issue here is how you define high quality healthcare. The main advantage in the health care systems in Europe seems to be their availability - for those of all levels of income. (Though even with that, there are "medical deserts" in various parts of the countries - where doctors, or specialists are lacking.) And your vision of going "to another country for specialized care" is not as readily available as you may want to believe. Each country's health system has its own procedures, beliefs and protocols that have to be followed in order to benefit from the wider "availability" of services.

On the issue of chronic illnesses, again, each country has certain illnesses and conditions that it treats in its own ways, and those which it doesn't really do much about/for - at least it may seem that way to you. We've had folks through the forum here with chronic illnesses who are chagrined to find that their preferred treatment is not available in the country they are moving to - and/or that due to certain rules of the health care system, they may have to renegotiate all or most of the testing to establish the exact nature of their ailment. There are treatments available here that aren't available in the US, and alternatives for those commonly relied upon "back home." And of course in the matter of doctors, attitudes vary all over the place - from those who insist on maintaining a veneer of formality between doctor and patient, to those who are quite involved with their patients, and everything in between, as well as medical professionals all up and down the system who are greatly involved in the struggle for better recognition of the need to improve pay and conditions for their metiers. On the patient side, it can take some time (usually a couple of years) to learn how the system works and how to work the system for your own needs and comfort.

 

I am very grateful for your response! This is so informative and helpful. We are planning to meet with some Drs during our trip to see what options would be available to us there. It took 2 years to find the right treatment just moving from one state to another so I can only imagine how long it may take in another country. I appreciate your honesty and not sugar coating the sad reality of healthcare which seems to be the same all over the world! So much to think about and I deeply appreciate the heads up as well as any tips any may have when trying to establish med care internationally. Thank you again!

 

You are so right. Just like one Dr can be so different from the next, the term "High quality healthcare" can have a different meaning or focus from one country to the next...even one person to the next! Some may feel more comfortable with the latest tech and testing, and there are benefits to high tech for sure. However nothing is perfect. I'm proof that even the latest tech isn't the answer to everything and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I am very interested in the thoughts and advice from Drs that focus on avoiding the need for medication. I have the same mindset but that was not always welcomed. I would love to know what medications they have available for our specific diagnoses and what they feel would be helpful or even necessary for us. Preventative healthcare is a brilliant concept and I strongly believe it would have prevented some of what we are dealing with now. It can certainly be helpful to us when looking to avoid additional health issues but of course the main concern is what diagnoses we have now and how they may be treated especially long term.

I can only imagine the stressful load the medical professionals are carrying. It is so understandable why they may be unwilling to speak with those of us trying to find out more about the healthcare system over there. I also feel for the patients who are also struggling to afford or just get access to care. I would never want to take away an appointment from a person in greater need. I also feel like it wouldn't be right for me to ask any medical professional to give me medical advice for free or outside of work hours. Have you heard of any expats that have found answers to their specific questions in other ways?

 

Have you heard of any expats that have found answers to their specific questions in other ways?

Other than getting yourself into the health care system where you are resident and learning to work the system as best you can, I'm not sure you can get specific answers. Any medical practitioner will be affected by the norms of the training and qualification systems in their respective country. But I know that in many countries (certainly within Europe) many expats find that they may have to start from scratch to get whatever tests are required to confirm whatever diagnosis you already have. Then there are what can be very different treatments for the same condition or disease you have.

 

As you are Americans, what visa are you going to be eligible for to move to Europe? In addition, unless you are proficient in several European languages, you are going to find it somewhat difficult to deal with the medical professionals in their home language.

 

Healthcare systems vary across countries. Some offer universal care, while others rely on private insurance. Countries like Australia, the UK, and Canada provide public healthcare for everyone, whereas in the US, private insurance plays a big role.
When I traveled abroad, I realized how different healthcare can be. It’s always good to know the system before you need it. Trust me, preparation makes all the difference.🌍

 

Countries like Australia, the UK, and Canada provide public healthcare for everyone, whereas in the US, private insurance plays a big role.

A gross simplification of healthcare in Australia, and I suspect both the UK and Canada.

In the case of Australia, yes, there is a public health system. No its not necessarily for for everyone (Citizens, permanent residents and a few other visa types). And, despite a public health system, there is also a thriving private insurance market too (mandatory private health insurance for those on most temporary visas, extras type cover for things not covered under the public system, mandated in some cases, and a ever growing private health industry,).