Medical Care in Europe

If you’re worried about getting sick while traveling, rest assured: Most of Europe offers high-quality medical care that’s as competent as what you’ll fi nd at home. The majority of Europe’s doctors and pharmacists speak at least some English, so communication generally isn’t an issue.

[2] Nearly all European countries have a universal health care system. Though some people refer to it as Europe’s “free health care” system, in reality, it’s not really free. While each country has its own variation, the common denominator1denominator共同特征。is that everyone pays for health care as a society—intending to minimize the overall expense and spread around the cost and risk so that an unlucky few are not bankrupted by medical costs. This also ensures that those living in poverty can get the care they might not otherwise be able to afford.

如若擔(dān)心在旅途中生病，你大可放心：歐洲大部分國家提供高品質(zhì)醫(yī)療服務(wù)，與你在自己國家享受到的一樣好。大多數(shù)歐洲醫(yī)生或藥劑師都至少會幾句英語，交流基本不成問題。

[2]幾乎所有歐洲國家都實行全民醫(yī)療制度。有些人稱它為歐洲的“免費醫(yī)療”制度，但它實際并非真正免費。雖然各個國家會有些差異，但共同之處是，社會中的每個人都為醫(yī)療服務(wù)買單——其目的是讓整體費用最小化，分?jǐn)偝杀荆稚L(fēng)險，從而使少數(shù)不幸的人不至于因為醫(yī)藥費而傾家蕩產(chǎn)。這可以確保貧困人口得到原本可能負(fù)擔(dān)不起的治療。

[3] Luckily, I’ve never been seriously injured while traveling in Europe. But I hear countless tales about travelers needing medical treatment. One person told me about how she sprained her ankle during a visit to Denmark. She was X-rayed, bandaged up, and given a pair of crutches to use. The hospital did not ask her to pay a dime—only to return the crutches when she left Denmark. And a staff member of mine, whose infant son received excellent care after a lung infection in France, came home to declare,“Anyone who says socialized medical care is subpar2subpar不到一般（或預(yù)期）水平的。hasn’t seen it in action.”

[4] While no system is perfect, Europe’s universal health care does mean that everyone is taken care of—including foreigners. So if you get sick or injured while traveling, you will receive treatment, no questions asked.

[3]幸運的是，我在歐洲旅行時從沒受過重傷。但我卻聽過許多故事，都是需要接受治療的游客的親身經(jīng)歷。有個人告訴我，她在丹麥旅行時扭傷了腳踝，醫(yī)院給她拍了X光片，包扎了腳，還發(fā)給她一副拐杖，沒問她要一分錢——只是讓她離開丹麥前歸還拐杖。我的一名員工，其剛出生的兒子在法國時肺部感染，其間接受了極好的治療，回國后說：“說社會化醫(yī)療制度不行的人，肯定沒見過它是怎樣運作的?！?/p>

[4]雖說沒有哪個制度是完美的，但歐洲的全民醫(yī)療確實照顧到每個人——包括外國人在內(nèi)。毫無疑問，你要是在旅途中生了病、受了傷，都會得到治療。

急診

[5]在旅途中如果發(fā)生意外或生命垂危需要就醫(yī)，請直接上醫(yī)院。遇到重癥（中風(fēng)、心臟病發(fā)作、嚴(yán)重的交通事故），請叫輛救護車。在歐洲大多數(shù)國家，都可以撥打112，這是歐盟國家呼叫救護車、消防隊或警察的通用急救電話。大多數(shù)國家也可以撥打911。你也可以請求旅館老板、餐廳負(fù)責(zé)人或周圍的人幫忙叫輛救護車（情況不嚴(yán)重也可以叫輛出租車）。

Emergencies

[5] If an accident or life-threatening medical problem occurs on the road,get to a hospital. For serious conditions(stroke, heart attack, bad car accident),summon3summon召喚，請來。an ambulance. In most countries, you can call 112, the European Union’s universal emergency number for ambulance, fire department, or police. Most countries also have a 911 equivalent that works as well. Or you can ask your hotelier, restaurant host, or whoever’s around to call an ambulance(or a taxi for less dire situations).

[6] Be aware that you will likely have to pay out of pocket4out of pocket墊付的。for any medical treatment, even if your insurance company provides international health care coverage. A visit to the emergency room can be free or cost only a nominal fee, or it can be expensive, depending on where you are and what treatment you need.Make sure you get a copy of your bill so that when you return home, you can fi le a claim5file a claim提出索賠。to be reimbursed6reimburse付還。. If you purchased travel insurance to serve as your primary medical coverage, call the company as soon as possible to report the injury. They can usually work directly with the hospital to get your bills paid.

Minor Ailments

[7] If you get sick on your trip, don’t wait it out. Find help to get on the road to recovery as soon as possible. Here are your options if you have a nonemergency situation:

Pharmacies

[6]要清楚，即使保險公司提供國際醫(yī)療保險，你還是有可能會墊付一些醫(yī)藥費?？匆淮渭痹\可能不用花錢或只是象征性付點費用，但也可能十分昂貴，這取決于你所在的國家和所需接受的治療。務(wù)必復(fù)印一份付費收據(jù)，這樣回國就可以讓保險公司報銷了。如果購買了旅行險充當(dāng)基本醫(yī)療保險，則應(yīng)盡快將傷情通知保險公司。保險公司通常能直接與醫(yī)院結(jié)算你的醫(yī)療費用。

輕疾

[7]旅途中生了病，不要等待自愈。一定要尋求幫助，以求盡快康復(fù)。非緊急情況下，可做如下選擇：

藥店

[8]歐洲人生病后普遍會先去藥店，并不會直接看醫(yī)生。歐洲的藥劑師可以診斷病情，還可以為很多簡單病癥開具處方，例如咽喉痛、發(fā)燒、胃病、鼻竇炎、失眠、水皰、皮疹、尿路感染或者肌肉、關(guān)節(jié)及背部疼痛。大部分城市都至少有幾家24小時藥店，你可以在那里買到所需的藥品，并很快好轉(zhuǎn)。

[8] Throughout Europe, people with a health problem go first to the pharmacy,not to their doctor. European pharmacists can diagnose and prescribe remedies for many simple problems, such as sore throats, fevers, stomach issues, sinus problems, insomnia, blisters, rashes,urinary tract infections, or muscle, joint,and back pain. Most cities have at least a few 24-hour pharmacies from which you can pick up what you need and be on the mend7on the mend（病情）在好轉(zhuǎn)中。pronto8pronto馬上；立即。.

[9] When it comes to medication, expect some differences between the way things are done in Europe and at home.Certain drugs that you need a prescription for in the US are available over the counter9over the counter（尤指藥物）不憑處方。in Europe. Some drugs go by different names. And some European medications can be stronger than their counterparts in the US, so follow directions and dosages10dosage（通常指藥的）劑量。carefully. Also, topical11topical（身體）局部的。remedies are common in Europe; if you’re suffering from body aches and pains, or any swelling, don’t be surprised if a pharmacist prescribes a cream to apply to the problem area. If you need to fi ll a prescription12fill a prescription照方配藥。—even one from home—a pharmacy can generally take care of it promptly. If a pharmacist can’t help you, he or she will send you to a doctor or a health clinic.

Clinics

[10] A trip to a clinic is actually an interesting travel experience. Every year I end up in a European clinic for one reason or another, and every time I’m impressed by its ef fi ciency and effectiveness.

[11] A clinic is useful if you need to be checked for a non-emergency medical issue, get some tests done, or if your problem is beyond a pharmacist’s scope.Clinics in Europe operate just like those in the US: You’ll sign in with the receptionist, answer a few questions, then take a seat and wait for a nurse or doctor.

[9]談到藥物，歐洲和美國的處理方式就有些不同了。美國的某些處方藥在歐洲卻為非處方藥；有些藥物在名稱上存在差異；歐洲的有些藥物比美國同類藥物藥效強許多，因此，用藥要仔細(xì)遵照說明書和用量。另外，局部用藥在歐洲很常見，如果你身體疼痛或腫脹，藥劑師開了涂抹患處的藥膏，你不必驚訝。要是你需要照方開藥——哪怕是從國內(nèi)帶來的藥方——藥店一般也能很快幫你配好。藥劑師無法處理時，他們會將你送到醫(yī)生或診所那里。

診所

[10]其實到診所看病是旅行中一種有趣的體驗。每年我在歐洲都會因為各種原因要去趟診所，而診所的高效每次都會令我印象深刻。

House Calls

[12] If you’re holed up sick in your hotel room and would rather not go out,the hotel receptionist can generally call a doctor who will come to your room and check you out. This option is generally more expensive than dragging yourself to a pharmacy or clinic.

Finding Medical Help

[13] To locate a doctor, clinic, or hospital, ask around at places that are accustomed to dealing with Americans on the road13on the road在旅途中。—such as tourist offices and large hotels. Most embassies and consulates maintain lists of physicians and hospitals in major cities.

[14] If you’re concerned about getting an English-speaking and Westerntrained doctor, consider joining IAMAT,the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. You’ll get a list of English-speaking doctors in more than 90 member countries who charge affordable, standardized fees for medical visits (membership is free but donation is requested, pay provider directly at time of visit). ■

[11]需要做非急診檢查、化驗?zāi)承╉椖炕蛴龅剿巹煙o法解決的情況時，診所就大有用處了。歐洲的診所和美國的運營方式相同：在接待員那里登記，回答幾個問題，然后坐等護士或醫(yī)生。

醫(yī)生出診

[12]如果在酒店房間病倒且不愿外出，酒店前臺一般能幫你約一位可以上門看診的醫(yī)生。這種服務(wù)通常比自己去藥店或診所要貴。

尋求醫(yī)療幫助

[13]要想找醫(yī)生、診所或醫(yī)院，在那些經(jīng)常接待美國游客的地方打聽即可——如游客咨詢處和大型酒店。大多數(shù)使領(lǐng)館都備有主要城市的醫(yī)師和醫(yī)院名錄。

[14]要是想找一位會說英語的西醫(yī)，可考慮加入國際旅行者醫(yī)療救助協(xié)會（IAMAT）。你會得到一份會說英語的醫(yī)生名單，他們遍布90多個國家，收費公道且標(biāo)準(zhǔn)統(tǒng)一（會員免費但要求捐款，看病時直接付給醫(yī)生即可）。 □