Visiting an English-Speaking Doctor in Rome

You come to Rome because it is a pinnacle of culture and tradition, but if something untoward should happen while you're here, and you need to see an English-speaking doctor - or even just need some medical advice - the exploration and tradition that Rome offers can give way to annoyance and tedium.

While the Italian public medical system ranks among the best in the world, speaking English is not its strong point. Waiting lists are long, too, and interfacing with your insurance company is almost certainly going to be a bureaucratic nightmare, if not impossible.

What you need is a place where you can get medical advice or attention immediately, and they speak the same language as you.

This is where FirstMed steps in. This centrally situated, American-owned clinic offers a wide variety of specialities including general medicine (GP) services, lab tests (Covid-19 antigen, STD tests, blood, etc.), a multitude of specialists, and diagnostic imaging (x-ray and ultrasound), and every person there speaks English.

The confidence that FirstMed gives you because of their professionalism means your concerns will be perfectly understood and addressed. And while FirstMed's services are competitively priced for direct payment, they also accept over 30 international insurance providers, giving you peace of mind that you won’t be out of pocket.

What should I do in a medical emergency?

Call 118 if you happen to have a medical emergency in Rome. This is the dedicated line to request an ambulance. If you’re not sure whether your situation is urgent or an emergency, remember:

Serious accidents or medical emergencies that are life- or limb-threatening require immediate care. If you have a life-threatening emergency, such as a heart attack or serious head injury, call 118 or get someone to take you to the emergency room (pronto soccorso).

If you need to visit the emergency room at any point during your stay in Rome, here are some phrases you might find helpful to communicate with the first responder over the phone. Try to pronounce each letter phonetically, as it's written.

• Help! – Aiuto!
• Is there anyone here who speaks English? – *C’è qualcuno qui che parla inglese?
• Call an ambulance – Chiami un’ambulanza
• Please hurry – Fate presto, per favore
• I need a doctor – Ho bisogno di un dottore
• Take me to the emergency room – Portatemi al pronto soccorso
• He/she isn’t breathing – Non respira
• There has been an accident – *C’è stato un incidente
• Our address is… - Il nostro indirizzo è…
• He/she is unconscious – Lui/lei è svenuto/a
• He/she hit his/her head – Ha sbattuto la testa
• The person has a broken bone - Ha l’osso rotto
• Some people are badly injured – Ci sono feriti gravi

*C'è is pronounced a little like 'chair'

They may ask you to describe the circumstances and, depending on the gravity of the situation, assign a colour code (codice del pronto soccorso):

• White (bianco): non-critical
• Green (verde): non-urgent
• Yellow (giallo): critical/urgent
• Red (rosso): emergency

Non-life threatening problems like minor illnesses or injuries that can't wait until tomorrow, can be addressed at an urgent care centre. For common illnesses, such as the flu, ear infections, strep throat, small cuts that require stitches, etc. you can visit an urgent care centre.

FAQs

Here are the top FAQs FirstMed receives from its patients:

Where can I get a Covid-19 test in Rome?
Many pharmacies and some private clinics provide same-day Covid testing. Many countries no longer request them for entry, but most cruise lines still require patients to carry a negative test certificate when boarding. If you or your tour group need to get Covid-19 tests, it’s best to make an appointment ahead of time to guarantee their availability.

What happens if I test positive for Covid in Rome?

According to the current government regulations, people who test positive for Covid-19 must observe a 7-day quarantine before you can retest. During this period, you must stay inside your accommodation and wear an FFP2 mask when you go out for your second test.
Covid-19 antiviral treatment is not widely available in Italy, so be prepared to ride out the infection. If you have difficulty breathing, or experience other serious symptoms or are an at-risk patient and need medical care to monitor your status, contact National Institute of Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani (INMI).

What if I need non-Covid medical or urgent care in Rome?

If you’re in need of English-speaking medical care in Rome, we suggest visiting FirstMed. The clinic includes a variety of services including general medicine, lab tests, diagnostic imaging (x-ray and ultrasound), all with fluent English-speaking staff and doctors. FirstMed also provides preventive care and well-visits in addition to specialist appointments.

Can I go to a public hospital in Italy? Will I be able to get care if I don’t speak Italian?

In short, yes. The care you receive at a public hospital or other public medical centre is of very high quality. Keep in mind, however, that you might be sacrificing time and possibly the ability to clearly communicate with the provider. Although most tour operators and travel workers speak English, many Italians working outside tourism or international companies do not. Don’t take it for granted that you’ll find an English-speaking doctor unless it is specified.

I have traveler’s or international insurance. Will I need to pay for my visit?

If you have private insurance, please notify your medical provider ahead of time. This way, they can check if there’s an agreement and whether they can bill your provider directly. If they can accept your insurance, send them a copy of your insurance ID along with your date of birth (if it's not stated on your policy card). If you are unable to apply your insurance policy or if you plan to pay out-of-pocket, consider asking about the cost of the treatment before booking to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Can I get my regular prescriptions abroad?

Always try to bring enough of your regular prescription medications with you for your trip, plus a little extra just in case. It's also a good idea to pack a hard or digital copy of your original prescription should you need to see a doctor to get more medication or the country’s equivalent. In the worst case scenario, you can complete a general medicine visit to evaluate your situation and decide on the best plan of action with your healthcare provider.

What if I need a specialist visit in Rome?

Should you need or get a referral for a specialist visit, we recommend contacting FirstMed. They have many specialties available, including orthopedics, gynecology, pediatrics, urology, dermatology, otolaryngology, and more. If you need to see a specialist, it is best to call and schedule an appointment ahead to guarantee that you will be seen when it’s best for you.

What if I need optical services in Rome?

If you need eye care during your trip, English-speaking optometrist Dr. Fabio Scarinci may be able to visit you. His medical office, Studio di Diagnosi Medica, is near the city centre and easily reachable by taxi or public transport. In case of an emergency, the public Ophthalmic Hospital in Piazzale degli Eroi, 11 has an ER available for any urgent optical needs.

What if I need (emergency) dental care?

Nobody wants to visit the dentist on holiday (or at home, if we're being honest). But life happens, even on vacation. If you need emergency dental work during your trip to Rome, we recommend oral surgeon Dr. Andrea Pagliarini at his studio on Via degli Scipioni, 167.