While many countries require patients to first see a general doctor before being referred to a specialist, it’s often possible to go directly to a specialist in Germany. READ ALSO: Working in Germany: The 10 rules to know if you fall illGermany still does have an extensive system of general doctors, or Allgemeinärzte or Hausärzte. In the following funny reenactment of a man trying to make a doctor’s appointment in Germany, he’s told that there are no appointments available for another month. Most doctors, both general doctors and specialists (called Fachärzte) will usually offer Sprechstunden, where you can simply drop in during a two or three hour window. Doctors in Germany can be more formal, and this is a common practice - even among patients sick with potential illnesses.

Source: The Local November 16, 2019 02:15 UTC