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(guó)家提供高品質(zhì)醫(yī)療服務(wù)，與你在自己國(guó)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(huì)幾句英語(yǔ)，交流基本不成問題。

[2]幾乎所有歐洲國(guó)家都實(shí)行全民醫(yī)療制度。有些人稱它為歐洲的“免費(fèi)醫(yī)療”制度，但它實(shí)際并非真正免費(fèi)。雖然各個(gè)國(guó)家會(huì)有些差異，但共同之處是，社會(huì)中的每個(gè)人都為醫(yī)療服務(wù)買單——其目的是讓整體費(fèi)用最小化，分?jǐn)偝杀荆稚L(fēng)險(xiǎn)，從而使少數(shù)不幸的人不至于因?yàn)獒t(yī)藥費(fèi)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(yùn)的是，我在歐洲旅行時(shí)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(gè)人告訴我，她在丹麥旅行時(shí)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(guó)時(shí)肺部感染，其間接受了極好的治療，回國(guó)后說(shuō)：“說(shuō)社會(huì)化醫(yī)療制度不行的人，肯定沒見過它是怎樣運(yùn)作的。”

[4]雖說(shuō)沒有哪個(gè)制度是完美的，但歐洲的全民醫(yī)療確實(shí)照顧到每個(gè)人——包括外國(guó)人在內(nèi)。毫無(wú)疑問，你要是在旅途中生了病、受了傷，都會(huì)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(qǐng)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(qǐng)叫輛救護(hù)車。在歐洲大多數(shù)國(guó)家，都可以撥打112，這是歐盟國(guó)家呼叫救護(hù)車、消防隊(duì)或警察的通用急救電話。大多數(shù)國(guó)家也可以撥打911。你也可以請(qǐng)求旅館老板、餐廳負(fù)責(zé)人或周圍的人幫忙叫輛救護(hù)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(qǐng)來(lái)。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(xiǎn)公司提供國(guó)際醫(yī)療保險(xiǎn)，你還是有可能會(huì)墊付一些醫(yī)藥費(fèi)。看一次急診可能不用花錢或只是象征性付點(diǎn)費(fèi)用，但也可能十分昂貴，這取決于你所在的國(guó)家和所需接受的治療。務(wù)必復(fù)印一份付費(fèi)收據(jù)，這樣回國(guó)就可以讓保險(xiǎn)公司報(bào)銷了。如果購(gòu)買了旅行險(xiǎn)充當(dāng)基本醫(yī)療保險(xiǎn)，則應(yīng)盡快將傷情通知保險(xiǎn)公司。保險(xiǎn)公司通常能直接與醫(yī)院結(jié)算你的醫(yī)療費(fèi)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(huì)先去藥店，并不會(huì)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(jiǎn)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(shí)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(guó)的處理方式就有些不同了。美國(guó)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(guó)同類藥物藥效強(qiáng)許多，因此，用藥要仔細(xì)遵照說(shuō)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(guó)內(nèi)帶來(lái)的藥方——藥店一般也能很快幫你配好。藥劑師無(wú)法處理時(shí)，他們會(huì)將你送到醫(yī)生或診所那里。

診所

[10]其實(shí)到診所看病是旅行中一種有趣的體驗(yàn)。每年我在歐洲都會(huì)因?yàn)楦鞣N原因要去趟診所，而診所的高效每次都會(huì)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(yàn)?zāi)承╉?xiàng)目或遇到藥劑師無(wú)法解決的情況時(shí)，診所就大有用處了。歐洲的診所和美國(guó)的運(yùn)營(yíng)方式相同：在接待員那里登記，回答幾個(gè)問題，然后坐等護(hù)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(tái)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(guó)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(huì)說(shuō)英語(yǔ)的西醫(yī)，可考慮加入國(guó)際旅行者醫(yī)療救助協(xié)會(huì)（IAMAT）。你會(huì)得到一份會(huì)說(shuō)英語(yǔ)的醫(yī)生名單，他們遍布90多個(gè)國(guó)家，收費(fèi)公道且標(biāo)準(zhǔn)統(tǒng)一（會(huì)員免費(fèi)但要求捐款，看病時(shí)直接付給醫(yī)生即可）。 □