How was the Medical Care in Switzerland, Greece (Mykonos/Santorini), France (Tuscany/Riviera) and Italy (Amalfi Coast)?

[Anonymous]

I have a neurological Demyelinating disease that is a lifelong chronic illness and am considering a trip to Europe. Particularly the areas listed in the title - Switzerland, Greece, France or Italy. Also, I am a Black female. Because of my illness, I like to have some awareness of the medical experiences tourists have in countries that I plan to visit.

Could anyone share experiences you or a relative/friend may have had?

[Anonymous]

We were in southern Italy but not the Amalfi coast and the medical care available was terrible (think a hospital waiting room overflowing onto the street, with the usual lack of clarity on when you might be seen). We tried to research online and it seemed there were some options for private doctors in Rome and the north — not sure if Amalfi coast would be any better but if you are concerned I’d try to find an expat board or something to do more research.

[Anonymous]

I'm French and have vacationed in all these places multiple times. Please do not expect rapid care if you go to very popular places during the height of tourist season. Doctors and ERs in places like St Tropez are entirely overwhelmed (usually it's small or midsize cities in which hordes of tourists descend), and on the French news, there are regular reportings every year about how ERs can't keep up with the glut of sick or injured tourists.

Other than that, you should have no issues in the countries you mention, who all have well-trained and well-resourced medical establishments (Greece slightly less so, but still fine). Expect to wait longer on weekends and Holidays, of course. Europeans take their days off seriously.

My mother has had Multiple Sclerosis for 50 years and has never had a flare, or needed medical care at all, on vacation. She's traipsed all over Europe with us and also gone to East Asia. I hope you enjoy your travels, OP!

[Anonymous]

We used to live in Switzerland. Healthcare is excellent there, very accessible, high chance of English speaking providers, too.

[Anonymous]

It will be great in Switzerland, fine in France, not as fine in Italy, and pretty iffy in Greece.

[Anonymous]

Cannes has a good hospital and they are used to tourists/foreign tourists. You need travel insurance, or will be required to pay full cost ahead of discharge (and then depending on your insurance you might get reimbursed...btdt having to pay but we got it back!)

[Anonymous]

I have no personal experience, but one of my friends sisters moved to greece for several months for fertility treatment. Obviously not the same as general healthcare, but she's been extremely happy with her providers.

[Anonymous]

My friend had a medical emergency from a chronic condition and nearly died on a greek island. He was able to get to athens via medflight and to a private hospital which he described as basic but fine and had an emergency surgery that saved his life but caused many complications and he also questioned some of the sterilization practices. I would ask your specialist their opinion, prior to this he was stable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no personal experience, but one of my friends sisters moved to greece for several months for fertility treatment. Obviously not the same as general healthcare, but she's been extremely happy with her providers.

This is very different than using the hospital system, especially a rural one, in a life-or-death emergency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a neurological Demyelinating disease that is a lifelong chronic illness and am considering a trip to Europe. Particularly the areas listed in the title - Switzerland, Greece, France or Italy. Also, I am a Black female. Because of my illness, I like to have some awareness of the medical experiences tourists have in countries that I plan to visit.

Could anyone share experiences you or a relative/friend may have had?

I think if you stay in/near major cities you will be fine. Consider this - you would probably get better care in one of these European cities than you would if you happened to be in a backwater town right here in the US.

Best advice is to get medical insurance including evacuation expenses.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have a serious condition, but have developed UTIs in both Switzerland and Italy, and was able to be seen and prescribed meds the same day.

[Anonymous]

I was taken by water ambulance to the ER in Venice and was surprised at how quickly I was seen, treated and discharged, for less than $250.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were in southern Italy but not the Amalfi coast and the medical care available was terrible (think a hospital waiting room overflowing onto the street, with the usual lack of clarity on when you might be seen). We tried to research online and it seemed there were some options for private doctors in Rome and the north — not sure if Amalfi coast would be any better but if you are concerned I’d try to find an expat board or something to do more research.

Our experience in Rome wasn’t much better. I love Italy, but don’t know that I’d travel there if I had a medical concern.

[Anonymous]

I needed dental care unexpectedly in the summer in Annecy (France). My experience was positive.

[Anonymous]

You should invest in an insurance policy that would fly you out if you needed better care (medical evacuation).