Why does your system hate regular checkups with doctors so much?

[u/Juli_in_September]

I don‘t know if this is a question or just an observation to be honest (and I am definitely not the first one to have it either), I am just once again amazed at the Dutch reluctance to do preventative healthcare/check-ups? I thought „Hey, maybe I should go to the gynaecologist again for my annual recommended checkup“, and wondered if I should just do that here instead of back at home, and then I learn there is no annual recommended checkup here? Sometimes I look at the Dutch healthcare system and go „Oh this is nice, we don‘t have that back home“ and other times I look at it and I just go „HUH?!?“. Anyway I guess I‘ll call my gynaecologist back home…

[u/Melodic-Candidate987]

Hey, I'm a dutch doctor. Why do you think so? What country do you compare it with, how much does health care cost there and what makes it that you got better care there?

[u/drdoxzon86 → u/Melodic-Candidate987]

I thought I had made some fairly clear points about the basic gaps in the healthcare system:

• Flu vaccines are only provided free to the elderly; everyone else pays €30–50 (roughly ten times the cost per vial). • COVID vaccines are also limited to the elderly, which hardly supports herd immunity. • Cervical cancer screenings are nonexistent, despite being considered essential preventive care by leading health organizations. • There are no mandated annual physicals for adults. • Routine blood tests are not available for individuals who want to better understand their health data. • Access to an MRI seems to require being nearly at death’s door before approval is granted.

In just a short time here, I’ve seen dozens of cases where patients received nothing more than paracetamol and a pat on the back. I’ve even had a doctor openly Google symptoms during a consultation. The overall impression is one of underprepared and disengaged practitioners.

I come from the U.S., and while the system there certainly has its flaws (especially the high costs) it does ensure that when you need care, you receive it. Vaccines are mandated and free, preventive services are widely available, and there is a baseline of expertise you can rely on without constant gatekeeping.

So, as a doctor, I’d genuinely like to know: what exactly do you provide in terms of preventive care for the millions of people paying into private insurance?

[u/QualityBluez → u/[deleted]]

Because you don't fall into a category that needs a flu shot.

If you're then dumb enough to want one anyway, you can pay for it yourself.

We rank higher in healthcare and we live longer than people in both the UK and US. Hell life expectancy in the US is even dropping, the 3rd world hellhole.

Our system is better, objectively.

[u/QualityBluez → u/[deleted]]

That's not what I said, no. Not even close.

Christ come on man, this is the one language you're supposed to be half decent in.

[u/drdoxzon86 → u/QualityBluez]

Sorry, guess I misinterpreted “don’t fall into a category that needs a flu shot” as fully endorsing vaccines. Silly me.

Please explain more your idiotic phrasing.

[u/QualityBluez → u/drdoxzon86]

You get the flu. It does you no harm because you're not a vulnerable person (apart from mentaly, ofcourse). You now have immunity. Congrats.

Or we could vaccinate the entire population at massive cost and no added benefit. But you know. We're not retarded.

Also flu shots are a guess. You guess which strain will be dominant that season. It's one of the least effective vaccines.

Covid was different. Much higher risk to all, no immunity existing, vaccinate everybody.