In the Netherlands, it is not possible to see a medical specialist directly without a referral from your general practitioner. This can be an important difference from other healthcare systems, where you can often see a specialist without the intervention of a general practitioner. In the Netherlands, the general practitioner plays an important role in determining which specialist you need, depending on your symptoms.

Medical specialists in the Netherlands treat more complex cases and work closely with general practitioners to ensure that appropriate care is provided. This means that your general practitioner will first diagnose and refer you to the specialist best suited to your particular situation.

Biggest difference: In many other countries you can see a specialist without the intervention of a general practitioner, whereas in the Netherlands the general practitioner always provides primary care and determines who else is involved in your treatment. ⚕️