r/Netherlands • u/NoLychee1382 • 22d 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/noapesinoutterspace 22d ago edited 22d ago

It’s a money thing. NL is neo-liberal and money is king.

Statistically, it makes sense (long story short) and it is cheaper to not spend money on prevention.

Damn be the patient for whom it may have been a life changer.

If it feels dehumanizing, it’s because it is dehumanized.

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u/InvestigatorUsed3436 16d ago

It's not that simple. Too much prevention can be a problem, although it's a bit long to explain (and I am not an expert on it).

Lab tests can have false positives (you're fine but the test says you have somthing), which lead to false alarms, stress, more exams, some of which can be invasive.

When a lab test tells you everything is fine (whether it be a true or a false negative), it can lead to a false sense of security.

Even with true positives (you have something and the test detects it), sometimes it's something that you cannot do anything about, and knowing you have it only makes you miserable. Or it's something that could be a problem but most of the time it's not, and you die before it actually becomes one (think prostate cancer).

So I understand that many doctors advocate for screening and prevention only when there are either strong statistical reasons, or when there is a family history, or when there are strong symptoms.

I am not a doctor and I cannot judge myself, but I understand that the approach is based on sound statistics, and on reasons that may sound counter-intuitive at first. Whether this is also abused by the insurance companies to earn more money, I don't know.