This ranking of the world's health care systems looks a bit old, perhaps from 2010, but you you might find it interesting. According to The U.S. World Health, the U.S. ranks #37 on the list, with Italy #2. I'm trying to find a more recent report. Should anyone else have, or locate it, please post here.

http://thepatientfactor.com/canadian-health-care-information/world-health-organizations-ranking-of-the-worlds-health-systems/

Post a Reply

00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

Learn More Get a Quote

Thank you Theresa, but what I am looking for is first hand, on-the-ground, real information from individuals, i.e. those living in Italy and having experience with and knowledge of the system and quality of care.

Post a Reply

00abuse

The WHO ranking referenced above was published in 2000 and came under heavy fire from the medical field and other research institutes as to their methodology. As far as I know, they haven't published another ranking since. I have friends in Italy from both Denmark and Australia who believe their health care system is at least on par with that of France and Italy. Here is a one synopsis of Italy's health care system: https://www.justlanded.com/english/Italy/Italy-Guide/Health/The-National-Health-Service

I do not use the public system but have friends who do. Their opinions vary; some think the care is great, others don't. I know that many experience long wait times for some tests (a friend had to wait 7 months for a colonoscopy), another waited 2 hours at a lab the last time she went to have blood drawn. An Italian friend battling cancer feels confident with his course of treatment, but is not happy with the "bedside manner" of his specialist, which I think is a common complaint. Another Italian friend goes to Torino to see a gynecologist because she doesn't like any of the ones she has seen in Florence. So, as I said, it's a mixed bag of opinions from people who use the public system. I do know that many people on the public system buy private health insurance, if they can afford it. They feel the care is generally better and the wait times for many procedures and tests are far shorter.

I don't use the public system and have been mostly happy with my G.P., but I've had issues with some of the specialists I've seen. My doctor says it is difficult to find a good specialist in some fields where I live, and he feels the quality of lab work has declined. Although I have not been completely happy with the quality (I've been misdiagnosed twice) and mannerisms of most of the specialists I've seen, the ENT I went to was very good.

I also haven't found a dentist that I like. They all work as if they're mining for ore; finesse is not their strong suit, although I do think procedures are generally well done. I'm still on the hunt for a dentist I like.

I worry a bit about emergency medical responders. I witnessed an accident in which a young man on a motorino was hit by a car. He was lying prone and unconscious in the street and I stayed with him until the ambulance arrived. When it did, he was "coming to" but before assessing injuries, the EMTs first sat him up, then lifted him to his feet. I'm not a medical professional, but that seemed a bit scary to me in that he could have had internal injuries that required immobilization.

So, as I said, it's a mixed bag. I know Italy has many fine doctors and other medical professionals, and hospital care seems good; I haven't personally had to go to any of them, but folks who have seemed happy with their care. I also think a lot will depend on where you live in Italy and the specific needs you might have.

I want to add that every pharmacist I have used has been excellent; they are extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

Post a Reply

00abuse

JacksterJam : many thanks for your valuable input!

Post a Reply

00abuse

Dear Emiliaromagna,

I can't help but answer you seeing as I live in EmiliaRomagna and have for over 25 years. After the first few years, I was involved in a very bad car accident and ended up in the hospital for 3 months. Of course, like you I was very leery of the Italian health care system. Luckily it worked much better than I expected :-)!
Many years later I had the opportunity to work in the hospital and was very impressed by the dedication of the doctors toward their patients and their constant training and research.
As far as the dentist goes, I have always been plagued by dental problems and had my share of dentist problems in the States. Of course, I also had some truly excellent ones too which is why I was particularly worried about dental care here. The average dentist idea of curing a problem was to pull it out! Unfortunately before finding my current dentist I was subjected to this method of cure and woe is me, lost a tooth. When I finally found my dentist (20 years) after visiting more than one to get an opinion, I found a professional who told me what he would do, why he would do it and that if I had any doubts I should get a second opinion (which I did twice). Turns out he always knew what was best and has always been able to solve even the most unusual of problems.

I think just like everywhere else, there are good professionals, dr.s with good and bad bedside manner, you just have to find the right one for you. Ask for recommendations from friends, acquaintances and so on.

And should you live in EmiliaRomagna, it might help to set your fears at ease knowning that people from all over Italy come to be cure in the hospitals here. I know the southern Italian health service is not quite at the same level as here - less money, old structures and a LOT of disorganization!

Hope this helps a bit.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

miki184 : thank you very much for your input, much appreciated. I'll be moving to Bologna later this year where I would think finding good care shouldn't be a problem. Luckily, I don't have any medical issues but, being originally from Western Europe, I can very much relate to your dental experience. Praying that there's one or more US trained dentist(s) in Bologna!

Post a Reply

00abuse

Mine isn't, but when he got his degree he had to become a doctor first and then study to become a dentist.

Anyway, there are several U.S. trained dentists in Bologna. Two that I know of personally in Casalecchio (just outside Bologna - you can get there with a city bus to give you an idea of how close it is). I don't go to them because I started with mine roughly 20 years ago and I do know that they are quite pricey. If I had not found mine, I would certainly would have considered them regardless of price.
When you get to Bologna if you need any more info, just let me know!

Post a Reply

00abuse

As someone who has lived in various countries, my advice whenever someone asks a question like this, is to separate the objective from the subjective.

There are plenty of average down to terrible doctors and dentists in the USA and Canada, just like anywhere else. There are no doubt plenty of good to great doctors and dentists in Italy, just like anywhere else. The level/quality of healthcare you receive will be directly related to your choice of doctor/dentist, NOT to the overall average of a country as determined by any kind of 'ranking'.

While it is useful to know which hospitals have MRI facilities or any other kind of equipment you would want them to have, beyond those objective questions and answers, it becomes far more difficult to try and ask or answer what kind of level/quality of healthcare you will receive.

Our current dentist as an example is Chinese. She studied and qualified in China first before then having to re-qualify through a Canadian university (Toronto) where she graduated with distinction (seems to indicate her Chinese qualifications were just fine). Before going to her, we had 2 dentists who were both Canadian born and bred. We left the first who was good, when we moved to another part of Canada. The second, who was also good, left us when he moved to another part of Canada and our current dentist bought his practice. She is better than either of the first two. She is more current and more leading edge in her practice than either of the first two were. My point being, where a doctor/dentist is from, or was trained/educated means nothing. Our dentist could as easily be practicing in Bologna as in our town here in Canada.

So when you say you are looking for a US trained dentist, I say that is no indication of just how good the dentist will be. Being US or Canadian or British or Australian or any other country trained, is meaningless. It 'sounds like' an objective criteria but in fact it tells you very little.

Did you know that it is quite common for US and Canadian dentists/doctors who could not meet the educational standards for entry into a top university in N. America, to go to a university on a Caribbean island and get their diploma? They then return to N. America to do their residency and may then move on to open their own practice or join a hospital staff. So they aren't 'US trained' to begin with. That doesn't mean they aren't good doctors, it just means they got their education elsewhere to begin with.
http://www.studentdoctor.net/2009/07/caribbean-medical-schools-a-good-option/

So don't get hung up on where a doctor is from or where they were educated/trained. What matters is finding a doctor YOU feel comfortable with and trust and that is all down to the individual doctor and nothing else.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Our family has been using public healthcare for over 3 yrs. At first I was a little worried. The bureaucracy of getting into the system didn't make me feel any better. Now that all our services are in place we are quite happy with the care we receive for both medical and dental (private dental office). We also use special care services for our 9 yr old son who was born with an orthopedic disability. Getting all services in place took a lot of footwork. Often times we felt like we were getting the run around but it all worked out.

Compared to living in the US, our annual medical cost dropped 95%. Our son also qualifies for the Italian version of Social Security. Something we never qualified for in the US.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Oldpro makes me smile. He is 100% right in everything he says. And funny thing, I remember when I was in college one of my dorm mates had a boyfriend who was studying medicine in Bologna, one if not the oldest university in Europe, because he couldn't get in an American one. In fact when I first arrived in Bologna there were many Americans studying medicine or veterinarian medicine. Not things are different as the selection process has become much more difficult.

Post a Reply

00abuse

Thank you and OldPro for your most valuable input. I very much agree with just about everything, however, my original question/comments were based on the dental care I received in my European home country vs. the one I have been receiving in North America (Canada) for the past 20+ years. Even more so, when I lived/worked abroad a couple of times (Asian and European countries), I had US trained dentists who were exceptional. I guess my concern was based on the only two levels of dental care I know, very good vs. very bad.
If you wouldn't mind sharing the names of the two dentists you mentioned?
Thank you again!

Post a Reply

00abuse

Hello:

Like in USA the quality of the medical service is function of how much one is willing to pay.

The good:
Italy has a high-value national healthcare system. Independently of the income/wealth everybody has access to good quality at a very nominal cost. No one goes bankrupt in Italy if he is in need of intensive or long term care. No one is refused a cancer treatment because of lack of medical insurance.

The bad:
A national healthcare system provides healthcare that is not necessarily within the patient's expectation. It's like buying insurance policy in USA. There is Cadillac insurance and there is basic insurance. Basic insurance, or no insurance at all, is definitely worse than the Italian healthcare system.

The choice:
Buy Cadillac insurance without losing the benefits of the NHS. Top quality private hospitals with top quality doctors and medical care.

Post a Reply

00abuse