MEDICINE IN EUROPE: WHERE IS THE BEST MEDICINE?
Today it is not necessary to be treated in the country where you live. Medical tourism is gaining popularity among patients from CIS countries. Residents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus most often choose Western Europe, Israel and the USA for medical tourism.
In this article we have collected for you the rating of Western European countries by the level of medicine and conditions for medical tourism. Let's find out where is the best health care system in Europe, and where is the best combination of price and quality of medical services.
Leaders of rankings for the best level of medicine in Europe: what to choose from
In the ranking of countries in Europe with the best healthcare system, the same leaders remain the same from year to year. This list traditionally includes: Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, France, Holland, Austria, Norway.
Ratings of health care systems are compiled according to certain indicators.
Usually, such criteria are used in such studies as patients' rights, safety, waiting time for treatment, quality of services provided to patients, equal access to medicine, life expectancy, health care expenditures as a percentage of GDP and per capita.
World and European rankings show one pattern, the more developed a country is, the better and stronger its healthcare system is and the more desirable it becomes for medical tourists.
Let's take a closer look at the most visited by medical tourists countries in Europe, which most often top the rankings of countries with the best healthcare system.
Medicine in Germany
Germans are stereotypically not considered a nation that actively pursues a healthy lifestyle. There is a love of beer festivals and not too healthy food in general. But, Germans are still among the healthiest people in the world, thanks to an impressive national health system.
The average life expectancy in Germany is 81 years, and waiting times for treatment and GP consultations are very short. The country has several outstanding public hospitals that offer good state-of-the-art treatment in all major medical disciplines.
Also, all working people in the country are required to have public health insurance, which ensures that medical care is equally available to everyone.
Medicine in France
France ranks 14th on the list of the top 20 health care systems in the world, and this is no surprise. Medical services in France today are at a very high level and the average life expectancy is 82 years.
Primary health care in France is provided by about 23,000 general practitioners, with a flat fee of about 23 euros per visit in public clinics. France, like virtually every country in Western Europe, has insurance-based medicine. This means that most of the cost of treatment is covered by insurance.
Of course, if you are not a citizen of the country and you do not have health insurance, the price for services will be different.
Medicine in Sweden
Swedish men have the fourth highest life expectancy in the world. Sweden ranks 10th in Europe for impressive levels of healthcare, and while patients contribute to the costs, most of their treatment is paid for by the government. Standards of care in Swedish hospitals are very high and every citizen has the right to be treated.
Medicine in Holland
The country has more than 150 emergency medical centers that are open every day, 24 hours a day. Therefore, patients can easily and quickly get the necessary medical care. Holland also has more than 120 general medical practice centers and 94 emergency departments with operating rooms. Almost 100% of the population in the country can be taken to a trauma center within 45 minutes.
Most hospitals in Holland are private. There are up to 10 public hospitals where interns are trained. The Dutch health care system shows excellent results in prevention, patient information and respect for patients' rights.
Medicine in Switzerland
Switzerland continues to hold a leading position in almost every possible ranking in Europe. The healthcare system in Switzerland is a true phenomenon.
In 2019, Switzerland was named the "best country" to live in by U.S. News and World Report. The publication highlighted two of Switzerland's main virtues: the country's near-perfect ranking for economic and political stability and its brilliant healthcare system.
The average life expectancy in Switzerland is 83 years. Compulsory basic health insurance in Switzerland guarantees everyone living in the country access to quality medical care.
It is worth noting that the waiting time for an appointment in Switzerland is minimal.
In 2019, Switzerland was named the "best country" to live in by U.S. News and World Report. The publication highlighted two of Switzerland's main virtues: the country's near-perfect ranking for economic and political stability and its brilliant healthcare system.
By the way, childbirth in Switzerland is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism. In the best private clinics of Switzerland, such as the clinic, with more than a century of history of Sant'Anna were born children of many famous people: celebrities, politicians, businessmen.
The level of spending on health care in Switzerland is very high compared to most European countries. Thanks to this, Switzerland can boast the best clinics in Europe with the most modern equipment.
The same can be said for the medical staff, ranging from some of the world's best doctors to nurses and management.
Switzerland also has a tremendously developed diagnostics, which directly affects the quality of treatment and the percentage of recovery.
Treatment in Switzerland is quite expensive when compared to medicine in Eastern European countries. But this difference in price also explains the huge gap in quality and service. In Switzerland, both of these indicators are exceptionally high.
If you are looking for the best conditions for treatment, diagnostics, childbirth we will help you in communication with the best doctors and clinics in the country.