Expats.cz Clinics & Hospitals Guide

In the Czech Republic, hospitals and clinics play essential roles in providing healthcare services to residents and foreigners alike. However, there are significant differences between these two types of medical facilities.

In the Czech Republic, hospitals primarily handle serious and complex medical conditions, surgeries, and long-term treatments, providing a higher level of expertise and access to specialists. They are the preferred choice for critical medical needs due to their comprehensive services.

On the other hand, clinics are smaller outpatient facilities focusing on primary and preventive care, dealing with routine medical issues like minor illnesses, check-ups, and vaccinations. Clinics offer quicker appointments and greater accessibility, serving as the initial point of contact. Patients may be referred to hospitals if more specialized care is necessary.

For foreigners visiting hospitals or clinics in the Czech Republic, language barriers can be a significant obstacle, as many healthcare professionals may not speak fluent English or other foreign languages. Additionally, understanding the administrative procedures, insurance coverage and payment methods of the Czech system can be challenging.

Private clinics have increasingly begun to fill the demand for patient-focused care. Subscription-based membership to private clinics vs. public healthcare services typically offer longer conslutation times with the doctor, help with scheduling appointments and booking specialist care as well as payment assistance and assistance with insurance providers.

Private clinics also reduce wait times compared to public clinics where patients are often required to wait in line to the see a doctor. Most importantly, many private clinics also offer care in English and a multitude of other languages and may also offer specialist services and a range of care under one roof to streamline the process and provide continuity of care.

Read more healthcare stories in our health archive.