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Now that you’ve settled in Norway, there is only one final frontier-going to the doctor’s office. But, what can you expect from your GP? Or during the doctor’s visit? Where do you go for info on general health related issues? And how does one obtain a prescription? Check out the FAQs below for an overview of going to the Doctor’s Office in Norway.
Norwegian Doctor’s Office FAQs
Who is entitled to health care services? Where can I go for more information on this?
Everyone working in Norway, paying income tax in Norway or lawfully registered in Norway is eligible for health care services under the national health insurance scheme. For more information, visit NAV.
How do I obtain a GP-general practioner/fastlege? What do I do if I need a The European Health Insurance Card (Europeisk helsetrygdkort)?
After you settle in Norway and have registered with the Folkeregister, you will receive a letter in the post which explains the doctor you have been assigned to visit as your GP. Residents are allocated GPs based on residence location (where in the area you live) and doctor availability (not all doctors have vacancies for new patients). You are allowed to switch to a new GP up to two times a year and switching your GP should be done online through Helseøkonomiforvaltningen (HELFO) (web site is in Norwegian with limited information in English).
If you do not receive a letter in the post allocating you a GP/fastlege, the best thing to do is access your HELFO account online to verify whether you have been allocated a doctor yet, or not. If you have not been allocated a doctor after 6 weeks in Norway, contact HELFO directly or a doctor of your choosing directly.
If you are traveling in Europe, you need a European Health Insurance Card (Europeisk helsetrygdkort) in order to validate your right to access to emergency health services in EØS countries or Switzerland. In order to obtain the Europeisk helsetrygdkort, visit the HELFO website. You may order a card for you, your partner or children and it will be sent to your home address.
What can I expect from my GP? What can I expect from a visit to my GP’s office?
In Norway, the GP usually serves their patients as not only a doctor but also as an overall health advisor. In the Norwegian system, the GP normally takes a holistic approach to medicine focusing on the entire person rather than only on the symptoms and underlying illness. As such, many times your doctor’s appointment will begin in more of an interview type setting. Here, you can expect to have a sit down conversation with your GP about your symptoms, illness and generally the reason for your visit (your GP will often take notes during the conversation). This is your opportunity to discuss in detail the reason of your visit (your GP is expecting you to describe in detail your symptoms/reason for your visit during this stage so don’t be shy!).
For women, your GP is most likely the person who will conduct your well-woman’s exams (ovarian sonogram, PAP smear, breast exam and etc.), prescribe contraception and be the first health professional you see when you are pregnant. Although it may be uncommon to see a male doctor for women’s health issues in other parts of the world, this practice is quite common in Norway. It is not uncommon to ask for your exam to be accompanied by a female nurse, if you have hesitations about seeing a male doctor for women’s health issues. However, you will have to ask your GP for a female nurse to be present as it is not standard.
You may be asked to bring a urine sample with you to the GPs office. Although not common in some countries, this is quite normal in Norway. Your GP is expecting you to bring a sample of 200 ml of urine to your appointment (you will be asked for the sample when you requester at reception upon your arrival). Your sample should be in a glass jar or in a plastic receptacle cup, available for purchase at a pharmacy.
Doctor patient confidentiality is highly regarded in Norway, which means anything you discuss with your GP to be kept private. You can expect your GP to be very knowledgeable, highly focused on your well-being and patient care as well as easy to talk to and non-judgmental. Most if not all GPs in Norway speak some level of English and a growing population of GPs are international, especially in cities such as Stavanger. As some medications are different in different countries, be sure to bring prescriptions with you to your appointment if you are taking any from back home.
In order to schedule an appointment to see your GP, phone your GPs office and request an appointment. Many offices close for 90 minutes in the middle of the day for lunch and case processing, so keep that in mind when making your appointment. In many cases, most offices hold open timeslots for same day appointments. Those timeslots usually go fast, so phone in as soon as the office opens for best availability. If this is your first appointment with your GP, arrive a bit early to fill out all of the necessary forms. While it is important to be on time for your appointment, it is not uncommon for previous appointments to run over on time, so you may have a wait after you arrive before you get to see the GP.
I’ve heard that one must pay a co-payment (egenandel) when they visit the doctor’s/general practitioners office in Norway. Is that true? I though the health care system here was free?
While the cost of many of the health services in Norway are 100% covered under the national insurance scheme, it is true that in Norway you are responsible for a portion of your health care expenses. Paying a co-payment when visiting your GP is a part of the portion in which you are responsible to pay for (excluding children and the elderly) as well as other costs. It represents only a portion of the total cost for your visit, with the national insurance scheme paying the remaining cost.
For those with persistent health issues, it may be worthwhile to obtain an exemption card (frikort) from NAV. If you have reached the co-payment limit for the year (meaning you have paid enough money in co-payments to qualify), you are eligible for an exemption card. This card nullifies your obligation to pay co-payments for the remainder for the year.
What should I see my GP about? General health issues? Mental health issues? Stress-related illnesses?
Yes-all of the above mentioned are reasons to visit your GP. From the common cold or flu, mental health issues or stress-related illness, your GP should be one of your first points of contact. Psychiatric services are considered a public health service and are covered under the national health insurance scheme. You may also see your GP if you think you are suffering from alcohol or tobacco abuse.
I have children. How does the health care system deal with children?
Visits to the GP are free for children and the elderly. If your children are sick, call your GP for an appointment. If you need medical assistance outside of working hours, visit the legevakt in your area or the emergency department at the hospital for emergencies.
What about prescriptions (resept)? Where do I obtain and fill prescriptions?
Prescriptions (resept) are issued by a GP. Patients should be prepared that some items available over-the-counter in their home countries are available by prescription only in Norway. Norwegian GPs have a tendency to be much more restrictive in issuing prescriptions than GPs in other parts of the world.
Prescriptions are filled at a pharmacy (apotek) and there are several pharmacies in the Stavanger region. Most pharmacy staff speak some English. When you arrive at the pharmacy, you will usually be required to take a number from a machine and wait until your number is called to be seen by a pharmacist. Before you are given your prescription, the pharmacist will review with you any important things to note such as warnings, dangers and allergy alerts.
Pharmacies also stock non-prescriptive items such as shampoo, toothpaste, digestion aids as well as plasters and some bandages. For a more extensive supply of bandages and health aids, look for a bandasjister, or a store that sells medical and health supplies.
Where can I obtain general advice about non-critical health issues such as colds, flus, gastro-intestinal issues and headaches?
The staff at the pharmacy can serve as a good source of information for general advice about non-critical health issues such as colds, flus, gastro-intestinal issues and headaches. Be sure to ask direct questions and bring your Norwegian dictionary for help with medical terms.
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About whitney love
Whitney is an American who has been living outside of the U.S. since 2005 and in Stavanger since 2007. She has written two travel guidebooks and has been a contributor on another for one of the largest travel publishing companies in the world. Whitney is presently an MBA candidate and when she’s not studying, you’ll find her enjoying seasonal events in Stavanger, dancing, writing and cooking for her friends. Her food blog can be found here: Thanks for the Food
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4 comments
EL
Oct 25, 2010
Here is a tip: if you’re logging in to find a doctor and not finding one in your neighborhood or that looks acceptable to you, wait until just after the 1st of the month (each month) and try again. Those who have switched doctors, or have died, or are taking more patients have this updated at that time. If you’re quick, you might see an opening at a much-sought-after clinic at around that time. Remember you can switch doctors 2 times per year, max.
whitney love
Oct 26, 2010
It can be difficult to get on a doctor’s patient list so thanks for the tip! If you or anyone else has more tips, let us know!
Melissa
Nov 16, 2010
Thanks, thats a great, useful tip EL. I also found out this year that from now on the “Egenandelskort” will be processed automatically-in other words, once you have reached your co-pay you will be sent your “Frikort” and anything paid after that will automatically be paid into your bank account. Very nice!
Also, the process for any kind of service, such as a specialist visit to X-ray, GYN, or mental health specialist will be on a referral basis, so it can take some time-first the doctor writes the referral and then the “head doctor” will review it and determine if you are “elgible” and how quickly they determine you need to be seen. I’ve had to wait up to a year. If that is not doable most people I’ve talked to are using Forus Akutten and paying out of pocket. I have not personally used it but have heard positive things.
Great article Whitney!
rhysmhor
Jan 1, 2011
Just a quick note because when roaming the forums a few months ago i read some quite negative experiences that someone had with the health care system here. My experience (in Jaeren) has been very positive. I have seen two GPs – one a locum and one who i was assigned to after i established all my residency stuff. Both spoke great English and both were very helpful. I had no problem getting my UK-prescribed prescriptions set up for here, and a chronic shoulder condition has received quite prompt attention. Overall, i would rate my experience as better than in the UK.
And for those who unfortunately have to go into hospital, i supervise MSc in Infection Control dissertations in Scotland and one of my students who is a head of infection control in a local health authority did some research when i announced i was moving here. He congratulated me and said that the rate of Hospital Acquired Infections in Norway is considerably lower than in the UK!
cheers
rhysmhor