As a newcomer to Spain, I recently accompanied a friend to the hospital and realized that apart from knowing the word for ‘emergencies,’ I was completely clueless when faced with the array of department signs. Even for minor health issues, not being able to find the right department can cause serious delays. So after that visit, which got me thinking about [Spanish hospital departments] and seeing discussions on topics like post-COVID conditions, I’ve compiled a list of common department names. I’m sharing it for anyone who might need it—definitely worth saving for later!
Basic Department Categories
The way Spanish hospitals are organized is quite similar to what many of us are used to, mainly divided into major categories like internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and pediatrics. For regular outpatient visits, you typically see your family doctor (médico de cabecera) first. If you need to see a specialist, your family doctor will give you a referral form indicating the specific department you need to go to. However, if you’re going directly to the hospital or the emergency room, knowing the names of these departments is crucial.
Common Medical and Surgical Departments
Internal medicine and surgery are the two core divisions of a hospital, which are further divided into many specialties. For instance, for heart problems, you go to Cardiología (Cardiology). If you have stomach issues, you’ll need Digestivo or Gastroenterología (Gastroenterology). Skin problems are treated in Dermatología (Dermatology), which is relatively easy to remember. For fractures or sprains, you should look for Traumatología (Traumatology/Orthopedics); this one’s a bit long, so it might take a few tries to pronounce. Eye issues are handled by Oftalmología (Ophthalmology), and the ear, nose, and throat department is Otorrinolaringología—this word is a true test of your Spanish pronunciation skills—which is commonly shortened to ‘Otorrino’.
Departments for Specific Patient Groups
In addition to the departments above, there are a few others for specific groups that you’ll likely encounter. For example, if you’re taking a child to the doctor, you’ll need Pediatría (Pediatrics). For women’s health checks, pregnancy, and childbirth, the department is Ginecología y Obstetricia (Gynecology and Obstetrics), which are usually combined. Elderly patients with complex health issues may be referred to Geriatría (Geriatrics). These are all very common and important departments.
To help you find what you need quickly, I’ve created a simple comparison chart with some of the most common departments. Feel free to save a screenshot on your phone for emergencies. Of course, there are many more departments in a Spanish hospital. If you know of other important ones or have experiences to share regarding Spanish hospital departments, please feel free to add them in the comments below! Wishing everyone good health in Spain
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| English Name | Spanish Name |
|---|
| Emergency | Urgencias |
| Internal Medicine | Medicina Interna |
| General Surgery | Cirugía General |
| Pediatrics | Pediatría |
| Gynecology & Obstetrics | Ginecología y Obstetricia |
| Cardiology | Cardiología |
| Gastroenterology | Digestivo / Gastroenterología |
| Dermatology | Dermatología |
| Orthopedics / Traumatology | Traumatología |
| Ophthalmology | Oftalmología |
| Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) |
| Otorrinolaringología |
| Neurology | Neurología |
| Urology | Urología |
