Having recently arrived in Spain, I went to the emergency room for an allergy, and the doctor prescribed some medication. He also advised me to get a follow-up check-up with a specialist for a more detailed examination on [seeing a doctor in Spain]. It was my first time going through the complete follow-up process in Spain, and I ran into a few minor issues along the way. Today, I’m sharing the entire process to help anyone who might need it.
What is a Follow-up Appointment
First, it’s important to understand that a follow-up appointment in Spain is a bit different from just ‘booking another visit.’ It usually refers to a situation where, after an initial diagnosis, a family doctor (GP) or an emergency room doctor determines you need a more specialized examination and refers you to a specialist, such as a dermatologist, cardiologist, or endocrinologist. This subsequent appointment with a specialist is what’s typically called a ‘follow-up.’ Of course, if you are a long-term patient with a chronic condition who regularly sees the same doctor for check-ups, that also falls under the category of a follow-up.
How to Book a Follow-up Appointment
Booking the appointment is the first and most crucial step of the process. The method varies slightly depending on whether you are using the public or private healthcare system.
Public System:
Usually, after your family doctor issues a referral, they won’t book the appointment for you on the spot. You need to take the referral letter and your health card (tarjeta sanitaria) to a specific desk at the hospital to make the appointment. The staff will then schedule you for the earliest available specialist based on your needs. Nowadays, the healthcare apps of many autonomous communities also support managing referral appointments online, which is very convenient, and you can also find information on topics like how to file [Spanish hospital complaints].
Private System:
The private system is much more flexible. In most cases, you or your family doctor can directly find a specialist within your insurance network through the insurance company’s app or website and book an appointment by phone or online. A referral letter is generally not required, but some special tests or specific doctors may still require prior authorization from your family doctor; this can have its own specific rules, similar to the procedures for [nurse transfers].
Day of the Appointment and Follow-up Steps
On the day of your appointment, be sure to bring your health card/insurance card and your ID. The process is quite simple, but there are a few details to keep in mind:
| Step | Description |
|---|
| 1. Check-in | Arrive at the specialist’s floor. There’s usually a self-service kiosk or a reception desk. Scan your health card or show it to the receptionist, and they will tell you which consultation room to wait outside of. |
| 2. Wait to be Called | Wait patiently outside the consultation room. When the doctor is ready, your name will appear on a small screen by the door, or the doctor will come out to call you. Don’t be late! Spanish doctors are very punctual, and if you are too late, they might skip your appointment. |
| 3. Consultation | Discuss your condition with the doctor. They will issue orders for tests or a prescription based on your situation. |
| 4. Book Next Appointment | If another follow-up is needed, the doctor will either book the next appointment for you directly on their computer or give you a form to take to the reception desk to schedule it. |
Finally, it’s time to get your medication. If you have an electronic prescription (receta electrónica), you can simply take your health card to any pharmacy (farmacia). The pharmacist will scan the card to see your prescription, which is very convenient. If you have a paper prescription, just bring it with you to the pharmacy. It’s important to note that with the public healthcare system, most of the cost of medication is subsidized, and you only pay a small portion. For private insurance, reimbursement policies for medication vary, and many policies do not cover the cost of drugs for regular outpatient consultations, so be sure to check your policy beforehand. In conclusion, once you’re familiar with the process, it’s all quite simple. I hope everyone stays in great health and won’t ever need this guide!
