Written by: Alice Hamilton
Studying abroad comes with a variety of new experiences and realizations. Everything is so different when living in another country with a very different culture. During your time abroad, you begin to immerse yourself in the culture of Florence and realize how different it is than in the United States. One difference I had to navigate was the healthcare system here in Florence compared to the United States.
Just two months after arriving in Florence, I underwent a very unique experience and I feel that my story could be of use to others in the future. Due to an infected gallbladder stone, I went through an emergency gallbladder removal procedure. Even after several doctor’s appointments, ER visits, X-rays, CT Scans, and blood work done in the states, I was given no answers as to why I was experiencing sporadic abdominal and back pain. I was sent abroad with a lot of unknowns and a fear that this pain would recur while abroad.
During my first two weeks in Florence, I underwent a painful flare-up with severe pain, vomiting, and two days of bed rest. I was in need of a doctor but wasn’t quite sure how to get access to one. With the help of the FUA Emergency Hotline, they provided a 24-hour doctor to check up on me in my apartment. This visit resulted in me receiving painkillers, a few prescriptions, and an ultrasound appointment, as well as a doctor’s note for class.
My next task was to navigate how the pharmacies work in Italy. My doctor prescribed me medications through a documented and stamped piece of paper. You can visit any pharmacy in the city and they fill your prescription, so I found a local pharmacy, I handed the paper to the pharmacist and they provided me with my prescriptions and a document to send to my insurance. It was as simple as that!
In regards to my ultrasound, I booked my appointment via phone call and was able to come in within the next few days. Before my visit, I contacted my insurance company and discussed my future visit and where the facility was. I provided the documents my doctor prescribed me and that was all I needed. With the help of the staff there, they helped me locate registration and the waiting room. This singular appointment found the answer I had waited months for, a gallbladder stone. This stone meant that I needed to get the organ removed through a procedure. Even though I was very nervous about getting a medical procedure done in a different country, everything worked out very smoothly.
I was in contact with the 24-hour doctor as well as FUA’s staff throughout the entire experience. My doctor even helped me get in contact with a private surgeon to plan my surgery date. Unfortunately, my gallbladder had other plans. After a very painful episode, I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance to Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, which is Florence’s public hospital. Interestingly enough, the cost is widely different in both countries. For serious medical conditions, ambulances in Florence are free of cost. However, in my hometown of Chicago, the cost starts at around $900.
After being in the hospital for a few hours, I was told that my gallbladder was inflamed and I would need to wait 10-15 days for my surgery. However, my condition did not improve because my liver enzymes were low, which resulted in emergency surgery. My mother luckily booked her flight when she found out I was in the hospital and arrived right before I was prepped for surgery.
During the surgery, the surgeons discovered my gallbladder was infected, which allowed for a drainage tube. Because of this, I was in the hospital for another three days. During my hospital experience and after I was discharged, I was able to understand how both healthcare systems are set up. Italy believes healthcare should be available to everyone as a basic right. They have a system where both the government and private companies help pay for healthcare. Taxes mainly fund it, but people also pay for some services themselves or through private insurance. On the other hand, the United States mostly has a private healthcare system. It includes public and private insurance providers, employer-sponsored coverage, and government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Through the healthcare system here in Italy, getting this procedure was incredibly affordable and convenient. I am extremely grateful for the amazing doctors and nurses who successfully performed the operation. Through the help of FUA and its amazing staff, I was successfully able to navigate the Italian healthcare system, as well as leave a piece of myself in Florence!
