At the Doctor
Once you have your tessera sanitaria and a medico di base, most healthcare starts in a small GP office with no receptionist and a waiting room that self-organises. You explain, the doctor prescribes, and anything bigger goes through the CUP with a referral. Here's the language for all of it.
Tap any phrase to hear it spoken.
Vorrei iscrivermi al Servizio Sanitario Nazionale.
I'd like to register with the National Health Service.
Said at the ASL office, not the doctor's. It's the first step that makes everything else possible.
Vorrei scegliere il medico di base.
I'd like to choose a GP.
Also at the ASL. You pick from a list of doctors with open slots in your area.
Vorrei prenotare una visita.
I'd like to book an appointment.
Non mi sento bene da qualche giorno.
I haven't been feeling well for a few days.
Mi fa male qui.
It hurts here.
Point as you say it. Works better than any anatomy vocabulary you don't have yet.
Prendo già questo farmaco.
I'm already taking this medicine.
Show the box. Doctors need to know before prescribing anything new.
Mi serve una ricetta per questo farmaco.
I need a prescription for this medicine.
Mi serve un certificato medico per il lavoro.
I need a medical certificate for work.
Italian employers want the certificato for sick days. Your GP issues it during the visit.
Devo fare le analisi del sangue?
Do I need blood tests?
Dove pago il ticket?
Where do I pay the co-pay?
The ticket is the fixed fee for tests and specialist visits. GP visits themselves are free.
Con questa impegnativa, dove devo andare?
With this referral, where do I need to go?
The impegnativa is the red-stamped referral form. You take it to the CUP to book.
il medico di base
GP, family doctor
la ASL
local health authority
la tessera sanitaria
health card
la visita
medical appointment, examination
le analisi del sangue
blood tests
il ticket
healthcare co-pay
l'impegnativa
referral form from your GP
il CUP
central booking office for the public system
In the medico di base's office.
Buongiorno, si accomodi. Cosa c'è?
Good morning, have a seat. What's the matter?
Buongiorno, dottore. Da una settimana ho mal di schiena.
Good morning, doctor. I've had back pain for a week.
Vediamo. Prende già qualche farmaco?
Let's have a look. Are you already taking any medicine?
No, solo qualche antidolorifico.
No, just some painkillers.
Le prescrivo un antinfiammatorio e le analisi del sangue.
I'll prescribe you an anti-inflammatory and blood tests.
Va bene. Dove prenoto le analisi?
Alright. Where do I book the tests?
Al CUP, con questa impegnativa. Porti la tessera sanitaria.
At the CUP, with this referral. Bring your health card.
Perfetto. Mi serve anche un certificato per il lavoro.
Perfect. I also need a certificate for work.
Certo, glielo preparo subito.
Of course, I'll prepare it for you right away.
Many medico di base offices have no receptionist and no appointments: you walk in, ask "chi è l'ultimo?" ("who's last?"), remember that person, and go in after them. It looks like chaos and works perfectly. Address your doctor as "dottore" (or "dottoressa"), and bring your tessera sanitaria to literally everything.
Every phrase above has a form, an office, or a card behind it. These pages decode them.
Thanks, we'll take a look.
If you left an email, we'll reply when there's something to say.