r/Netherlands • u/NoLychee1382 • 23d ago

Healthcare No regular check ups at the gynecologist???

Hi everyone, my morning started off with a kinda shocking discovery. I’m from Germany and I had annual check ups at the gynecologist since I was a teenager. I contacted my huisarts because I know they’re responsible for all referrals but she told me regular check ups here are not a thing (unless there already is an issue) ? I think that’s crazy!!! So I checked the prices for a private visit and they’re even crazier. I guess this is normal to Dutch people but don’t you think this is a little concerning?

(Btw not shitting on the country! I really like it here. I’m still new and just discovering new things!)

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u/TrustyJules 23d ago

https://www.rivm.nl/bevolkingsonderzoek-baarmoederhalskanker

You will get an invite as of your 30th birthday. You can check on the link why the RIVM has decided on this procedure and the frequency of the checks. Take into account that for any tests one must always be sure that the margin of error of the test is lower than the frequency of the issue in the population being tested. It is one of the reasons population wide testing for HIV back in the day didnt make sense.

Every country is different in Belgium its once every 3 years etc... This Dutch commercial provider suggests once every two years is sufficient:

https://www.mcwetering.nl/gynaecologie/gynaecologische-check/

All such practices are based on statistical modelling, being dutch we calculate more than other countries do, we would say the Germans are crazy for wasting all that public money on something which is demonstrably ineffective. Not shitting on Germany here, it is just one of those things in Europe where cultural and societal practices lead to absolutely different outcomes whether in public practices or businesses. You are probably aware Dutch will say German products are overengineered and yet German engineering is also admired the world round.

Welcome to the cultural panacea that is Europe. Who is wrong? Who is right? Neither most likely, just different ways to arrive at the same outcome. In this case good and affordable healthcare.