krank
So ... shit. I picked up some kind of viral eye infection. In the span of 6 hours I went from normal to one eye swollen mostly shut. I can look forward to the other eye taking part in the fun soon. Because the virus is very communicable, I am what's known as "krank gescrieben", that is, I have a doctor's note to stay home the rest of the week.
I think about this and shudder at how it would have went under the American health care system. Here I basically called up my doctor at 8:30, found out what I need to do (it turns out a general practitioner here doesn't treat eye infections), called up a totally new eye doctor I hadn't seen before and saw her 90 minutes later. No Appointment, just walk in at 9:30. I got a prescription and was told to stay home. It cost 10 euro.
I think about this and shudder at how it would have went under the American health care system. Here I basically called up my doctor at 8:30, found out what I need to do (it turns out a general practitioner here doesn't treat eye infections), called up a totally new eye doctor I hadn't seen before and saw her 90 minutes later. No Appointment, just walk in at 9:30. I got a prescription and was told to stay home. It cost 10 euro.