So I had no idea when we moved here that the medical system would be so different from what we’re used to at home. Since I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to figure out how to find a doctor for the kids (and myself), I figured I’d write a post about what it’s like and what I think I’ve (finally!) figured out. So here goes:

First of all, kids don’t really see a pediatrician here — everyone (kids and grownups) go to the same doctor, a GP. Ok, fine, there are certainly GPs/family docs at home too, but what I’ve learned is that here kids don’t even see the GP when they’re healthy, only when they’re sick or for vaccines. So who, you may ask, checks your child to make sure their development is on track? Well, you have to go somewhere else for that (GPs don’t so developmental check ups, or what we would call a well child visit). I kept asking other parents “where do I get my kids’ their annual well child check ups?” and they looked at me like I was crazy. But anyway I finally figured out that you have to register your kid with the local public health center in your neighborhood and you’re assigned a public health nurse who is in charge of your child and who will send you a letter in the mail when your child is due for their developmental check.

Well since Rafi just turned one, I figured he was due for a developmental check, but the public health nurse (once I finally figured out which one we are assigned to) said nope, he’s not due for one til he’s 2! So here the babies have one at 9 months and then that’s their last one til they’re 2! Quite different from home where it’s 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and then 2. “Well what about the vaccines he needs?” I asked nurse Mary. “Take him to the GP for that,” she replied. So confusing! Thank goodness Rafi is my second child or I’d be a lot less certain about his development and a lot more anxious about waiting another whole year to get him checked. Though I did just learn that the health center has drop in hours one day a week so I could probably take him to at least get weighed and measured.

So then I asked nurse Mary about Isaac, since he just turned 4 and (I thought, as would be the case at home) would be due for a check up. Nope, age 3 is the last age for a check up here. Yep that’s right, no more check ups for children after age 3. And his vaccines? Apparently once they start regular school at age 4/5 (basically like preK but it’s part of “big school”) they get all their shots at school! That shocked me! Seems so 1950s! He may still have to get a few here at the GP before school next year because they vaccinate for a few different things here that we don’t have as many outbreaks of back home.

Ok, so I finally found a GP not too far that came recommended by several people. I stopped by to give her copies of the boys’ vaccine records and once she figures out what they need she will contact me (how long this may take is yet to be determined…response time here is often slow). Another difference is that the GPs don’t really do appointments (well they will have some appointment hours throughout the week, but it’s mainly just walk in and first come first serve basis). No receptionists either, so you just show up, wait in the waiting room, and the doctor comes and gets you when it’s your turn. It’s all quite different!

A few other things: kids don’t really go to the dentist (but adults do), and kids aren’t routinely given flu shots (but adults are.

Also doctors’ offices are called “doctors surgeries” though no surgery done there. And they are marked with a big green cross outside, but this doesn’t mean the same thing as in Seattle (medical marijuana).

I have yet to actually take the kids to the GP (except for when Isaac broke his foot), so hopefully the care will be good, but it just feels like such a different way than home. Much less preventative medicine and less consolidation of care (ie go to one person for checking development and another for vaccines/illness). I wasn’t sure for awhile whether this was just because of the healthcare being socialized, but even with some private insurance (which we have), it’s still the same. I think the private insurance mostly comes in handy if you’re hospitalized (like you could get a private or semi private room as opposed to a room with 6 people).

Well at least I think I sort of have the doctor situation sorted out — it took awhile! Anyway just wanted to share a bit of what the medical aspect is like here and my relief at sort of somewhat figuring it out.

Bye for now!