Falling ill is one of the biggest worries when you’re new to Spain. The language barrier, combined with unfamiliarity with the local healthcare system, can be quite stressful. I once had a stomach bug and spent ages trying to figure out which department to go to. So today, I’m putting together a guide on the different departments in Spanish hospitals, including a look at Spanish hospital departments and what they’re called in Spanish. I hope this helps anyone in need!
Unlike the system some of us might be used to, in Spain, if you have public health insurance (social security), you don’t usually go straight to a major hospital. Your first step is to visit your designated local health center (centro de salud) to see your family doctor (médico de cabecera). The family doctor will make an initial diagnosis and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist at a general hospital.
For emergencies, such as fractures or acute abdominal pain, you can go directly to the hospital’s emergency department (Urgencias). The process is more flexible if you have private health insurance, as you can often book an appointment with a specialist directly. But to do that, you first need to know which department to see, right?
Common Specialist Departments in Hospitals
The departmental structure is quite similar in both public and private hospitals. I’ve compiled a list of departments you might need, including those that treat conditions like long COVID symptoms, to help you ‘find the right department for your symptoms’:
Internal Medicine and Related Fields
- Cardiology: For all heart-related issues like palpitations, chest tightness, high blood pressure, etc.
- Gastroenterology: See them for stomach and intestinal discomfort, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Pulmonology: For coughs caused by colds, asthma, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory issues.
- Endocrinology: Mainly for thyroid problems, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, etc.
- Nephrology: Specializes in kidney-related diseases.
Surgery and Other Specialties
- General Surgery: For conditions requiring surgery, such as appendicitis or cholecystitis.
- Orthopedics/Traumatology: This one is very common! It covers all kinds of fractures, sprains, joint pain, and lower back strain.
- Gynecology and Obstetrics: Essential for women’s regular check-ups, pregnancy, and childbirth. This is one of the key Spanish hospital departments to know.
- Pediatrics: Exclusively for treating children. Key point, take your kids directly to this department.
- Ophthalmology: For eye discomfort, vision correction, getting glasses, etc.
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT): For issues with ears, nose, and throat.
- Dermatology: For skin allergies, acne, eczema, etc.
- Emergency Department: This is the most important one
! For any condition you feel is urgent and requires immediate attention, go directly to Urgencias!
To make it easier for you, I’ve created a simple English-Spanish glossary table. You can take a screenshot and save it for future reference:
| English Department | Spanish Name |
|---|
| Emergency Department | Urgencias |
| Family Doctor | Médico de cabecera |
| Internal Medicine | Medicina Interna |
| Orthopedics/Traumatology | Traumatología |
| Gynecology and Obstetrics | Ginecología y Obstetricia |
| Pediatrics | Pediatría |
| Dermatology | Dermatología |
| Ophthalmology | Oftalmología |
| Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) |
| Otorrinolaringología |
I hope this summary is helpful! Staying healthy is the most important thing when living abroad, but if you do need to visit a hospital, being prepared with this information can make you feel more in control. If you have anything to add or want to share your own experiences with the healthcare system here, feel free to leave a comment below!
