KNM: gezondheid en zorg

In the Netherlands the huisarts is the centre of your care. This is what the KNM exam expects you to know.

• Find a huisarts near your home as soon as you come to live here. Don't wait until you are ill.
• Ill? Call the huisarts first (de huisarts). You call in the morning for an appointment (een afspraak). If needed, the huisarts sends you to the hospital with a referral (een verwijzing).
• Evening, night or weekend? Call the huisartsenpost. Only go there after you have called.
• Life in danger? Call 112. For example: someone doesn't react, has bad chest pain or a serious accident.
• Health insurance is compulsory (de zorgverzekering). Everyone who lives in the Netherlands needs one. Children are insured for free. You pay the first part of some costs yourself (het eigen risico), but not for the huisarts.
• Your body, your choice. The doctor explains, and you decide. Your partner or family can't decide for you. The doctor keeps your information secret (geheim), also from your family.
• Pregnant? You usually go to a midwife (de verloskundige) first. De verloskundige will guide you throughout the pregnancy. After the birth you take your baby to the consultatiebureau (often part of the GGD) for check-ups and free vaccinations (vaccinaties). Vaccination is a free choice.
• Feeling sad or stressed for a long time? You can talk about that with your huisarts too.

Component · KNM, theme Gezondheid en zorg

• Task type · A short health situation with a named person, then "Wat doet X het beste?", "Wat is waar?" or "Mag dat?". Three answer options.
• Real exam · On the computer, 45 minutes, multiple choice, in simple Dutch (about A2).

Most common mistakes

1. Going straight to the hospital. In the Netherlands you call the huisarts first. In the evening and at the weekend you call the huisartsenpost.
2. Calling 112 too quickly, or too late. 112 is for danger to life: someone doesn't react, has chest pain or a serious accident.
3. "My family decides." An adult decides about their own body, and the doctor keeps your information secret, also from your family.
4. "I'm healthy, so I don't need insurance." Health insurance is compulsory for everyone who lives here.