The role of the general practitioner: the central link in care

In the Netherlands, you cannot visit a medical specialist directly without a referral from your general practitioner (huisarts). This can be an important difference from other healthcare systems, where you can often see a specialist without going through a GP. In the Netherlands, the GP plays an important role in deciding which specialist you need, depending on your complaints.

Medical specialists in the Netherlands treat more complex cases and work closely with general practitioners to make sure the right care is given. This means that your general practitioner first makes a diagnosis and then refers you to the specialist who best fits your specific situation.

Biggest difference: In many other countries you can go to a specialist without going through a general practitioner, while in the Netherlands the GP always provides the first-line care and decides who else is involved in your treatment. 👩‍⚕️