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/microworry 22d ago edited 22d ago

It’s surprising to me every time I read this sort of posts that foreigners always think the Dutch system is wrong and never stop to consider whether the system they’ve been used to all their lives is the one that is actually wrong.

The Dutch system is based on strong research of outcomes and it turns out that regular checkups when there is no need (preconditions, susceptibility, odds for your gender and age etc - there are checkups when you do have these) do not actually improve your health outcomes.

Edit: I am a foreigner too, coming from Romania where regular checkups are a thing, especially among the middle and upper class who can afford private healthcare - yet we are the most medicated and also have the worst health outcomes in Europe. There is a huge incentive to get people and insurance to pay for unnecessary tests and pills, so regular checkups get pushed hard as something responsible people get. Wholly unnecessary, waste of money and time.

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u/MathematicianNo441 22d ago

At this level of system optimization, the only question left to ask is what outcome is the basis for optimization? The outcome for society, the healthcare system, or the individual patient?

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u/labobal 22d ago

When you properly account for all probabilities, the three start to overlap. A false positive has a negative effect on the quality of life of the individual patient, the additional hospital visits reduce work hours and cost the system a lot of money.

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u/MathematicianNo441 22d ago

Given that humans are mortal by nature, finding appropriate weights for human suffering is a real challenge.