how to find a doctor

[joanslavin@aol.com]

We have a house in Umbria, Near Spoleto. My husband and I are in Italy for four months and my husband has a heart condition...it's not serious, but he needs care and needs to visit the doctor periodically to adjust meds, etc. How do you find a cardiologist in Italy? If he has an emergency, what do you do? We are in a small village and about 7 to 8 miles away from the hospital....we also would have a choice weather to go to the hospital in Spoleto or Foligno? How does this all work?

[anne2]

Assuming you do not have Italian residency and are an EU citizen your husband would be covered under the EHIC scheme as this does cover treatment of ongoing /chronic medical conditions - if you have not already done so you can apply for one on line. This link explains the system.
What's covered?
Make sure you also have travel insurance with medical cover which covers your husband.

In an emergency either call 118 (ambulance) or drive directly to the nearest Pronto Soccorso (A&E) - if hiring a car, remember to list yourself as a named drvier in case your husband is too unwell to drive. If you do call 118 be prepared to give directions as to where you are - it might be an idea to write them down beforehand and keep them by the phone - if you are in a spot that is tricky to find give local landmarks to help the crew find you, make sure you leave a contact number, just in case!

Re the doctor - unless someone recommends a particular cardiologist have a look in the pagine gialle (links for Spoleto and Foligno below) and take your pick! Given the timescales, you may end up having to see one privately and having blood tests done privately even though in theory you would be covered by the EHIC. It would be worth contacting the cardiologist beforehand to confirm that he is onside and to check that all your husband might require would be available and where. Also, take a copy of his relevant medical notes with all relevant tests and any prescribed drugs (brand name and generic name). As the majority of medical journals/textbooks are in English, many Drs do have a reasonable knowledge of medical terminology in English even if their conversation skills are limited.
Cardiologia Spoleto | PagineGialle.it
Cardiologia Foligno | PagineGialle.it

Private treatment in Italy is not nearly as expensive as in the UK - even under the state scheme with an EHIC you are often expected to pay a contribution to the cost of your treatment so don't worry if this happens, it is normal, an Italian receiving the same treatment would have to pay as well.

Hopefully you will not need any of this, but it is better to be overprepared than to be caught out. Good luck and enjoy your 4 months!