10 Tips for English speakers going to the doctor in Madrid

October 19, 2022November 9, 2022 by Lizard Wanders

Tips & Tricks
My Favorite Doctors and Urgent Care in Madrid

It’s fall, and along with the change in weather comes a lot of new sicknesses. If you work as an aux in Madrid and are constantly around children, chances are that you’ll need to visit a doctor at one point or another. Luckily for you, I have seen almost every type of specialist in Madrid during the past 5 years and I have some advice to share about going to the doctor here.

I spent this past weekend fighting off a cold that has persisted and realized it was time to go to urgent care on Tuesday after developing horrible ear pain. I told the receptionist my problems in broken Spanish and waited in the waiting room until being seen by a doctor. Then I saw the doctor and he told me it was probably a flu type or a common cold and to rest and take paracetamol (a medical favorite here in Madrid). I got my “justificante” and was about to head out of the hospital when I realized that I forgot to tell the doctor about my earache, the whole reason I went to the doctor. I was so tired and my brain wasn’t firing at full capacity.

I debated for a few moments and finally went back into urgent care and told the receptionist that I forgot to tell the doctor about my earache and they had me wait for a bit again before calling me back to see the doctor. The doctor checked my ear and I did have a problem that needed treatment. I was so relieved that I had decided to return even though I felt a bit stupid at first. The doctor prescribed me even more medication and then I was out of there for real.

This experience prompted me to share some tips that I’ve learned (although I didn’t quite follow them this past time). Going to the doctor can be stressful, especially in another language, and when you’re not feeling well. I hope these tips help.

My Tips & Tricks

Get a ‘justificante’. Always ask how to get a “justificante” either while checking in, or when leaving the doctor. If you have a job and are missing work, you will need this paper to prove or justify your absence from work or school. Usually, the “justificante” is only for the day or hours that you are missing but it could be possible to get one for a few days in extreme cases. Also in your paperwork under treatment, the doctor may write that you need to rest for a few days. This paper may also suffice as an excused absence but it’s important to also have this printed.
Don’t forget to bring your ID card (TIE) and insurance card, or have pictures of these on your phone. You will need an ID and insurance card (or policy number) when checking into doctor’s appointments or urgent care.
Write everything down, so you don’t forget to tell the doctor important information, but also so you remember what the doctor tells you: I usually use the notes section of my phone to write down all my symptoms, problems, and relevant dates. If I need to, I’ll translate some words to Spanish and keep those there as well. If the doctor doesn’t speak English and I’m having a hard time, I legit just give them my phone with what I wrote out sometimes.
Find a pharmacy with cheaper prices. If it’s not an emergency and you live near different pharmacies, you can compare prices. Some pharmacies right next to a private doctor’s office can be a bit more expensive than one further away or in cheaper neighborhoods. There are 12 and 24-hour pharmacies available.
Take your time, don’t leave until you understand what the diagnosis is, or at least get it written out so you can look it up yourself. Most doctor’s appointments are short and things tend to move quickly. Many times I’ve had to ask the doctor to repeat something or asked them to write it out for me so that I can look up or translate what they are talking about. I’ve had a few injuries that I didn’t even know the name of in English, so having them written out allowed me to go home and research and understand my diagnosis more. Make sure you understand if you need a follow-up, prescription or to see a specialist.
If you have private healthcare and it’s not a complete emergency, call your insurance company to see which doctors and urgent care are covered under your plan. If you need a specialist, they can help you find one who may also speak English.
If you’re not 100% confident in your medical Spanish-speaking abilities, ask for an English-speaking doctor if possible, this may not be possible at urgent care, but I always recommend asking. My Spanish is not great and I’ve done just fine communicating with doctors who take the time to explain things slowly enough to me or who are willing to write down complicated words or terms.
If you don’t like your doctor, find another one. I stayed too long with a doctor who was rude and unhelpful. I thought my issue was my lack of strong Spanish abilities. However, I brought a friend with me once who helped me realize that the issue was the doctor. I found another doctor who made me feel heard, understood and respected even though this doctor also didn’t speak English.
Download your insurance app on your phone. Many apps have a digital card in case you forget or lose your insurance card. The apps also help keep your medical data organized and I’ve found them quite useful.
Be prepared to wait. Whether you’re going to urgent care or a scheduled doctor’s appointment, be prepared to wait. Things run a bit more relaxed and slower than you may be used to.

My Favorite Doctors and Urgent Care

An aux group favorite for general medicine is Dr. Ruben Borras. He speaks English and really takes the time to listen to and understand his patients. The direct phone number for his office is +34 666-847-988 (the clinic’s number is +34 915-759-834) and he is located near the metro line Nunez de Balboa (Calle Padilla 20, Bajo Derecha, 28006, Madrid). Because he is so well-liked in the community, it can take a few days to get an appointment with him.

If you need to go to urgent care I have two that I can recommend, one is HM Hospital Universitario on Plaza Conde Valle de Suchil 16. The other is Hospital Ruber Juan Bravo, on Calle de Juan Bravo 49, 28006 Madrid. I believe they are both open 24 hours.

Please confirm with these centers that they are covered by your insurance before you go.

I hope these tips can help your next trip to the doctor. Remember that as long as you are respectful, you deserve to be treated with respect. Stay healthy out there.

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