The Importance of the "Rodinný Lékař": Why You Need a Dedicated Family Doctor in Prague

Swiss Medical Services
Dec 27, 2025
3 min read

When you move to a new country, finding a doctor often falls to the bottom of the to-do list—until you wake up with a high fever. In that moment of panic, many expats simply rush to the nearest public polyclinic or urgent care center.

While this solves the immediate problem, it is not a sustainable strategy for your long-term health.

In the Czech Republic, the cornerstone of healthcare is the "všeobecný praktický lékař" (General Practitioner), often referred to warmly as a "rodinný lékař" (family doctor). At Swiss Medical Services in Prague 1, we believe that everyone needs a medical "home base"—a doctor who knows your history, speaks your language, and coordinates your care.

Here is why relying on random clinic visits is a mistake, and why registering with a dedicated GP is vital.

1. Continuity of Care: They Know Your Story

If you visit a different doctor at a large public hospital every time you are sick, you are starting from zero at every appointment. You have to repeat your medical history, your allergies, and your family background over and over.

A dedicated family doctor knows you. They have your complete records. They notice subtle changes over time—like slowly creeping blood pressure or changes in your mood—that a doctor seeing you for ten minutes once would miss. This relationship is crucial for catching chronic conditions early.

2. The Gatekeeper and Coordinator

Healthcare can be complicated. If you have a heart issue, a skin issue, and knee pain, you might need three different specialists.

Your family doctor acts as the conductor of this orchestra. They provide referrals to specialists (orthopedists, cardiologists, etc.) and, crucially, all the results come back to them. They ensure that the medication the cardiologist prescribed doesn't interact poorly with the medication the dermatologist gave you. Without a central GP, your care becomes fragmented.

3. Managing Preventative Health (The "Preventivka")

Czech healthcare emphasizes prevention. Every adult is entitled to a comprehensive preventative check-up ("preventivní prohlídka") every two years with their registered GP, covered by public insurance.

If you are not registered anywhere, no one is reminding you to get your blood sugar checked, your cholesterol tested, or your cancer screenings done. A dedicated GP proactively manages your future health, not just your current sickness.

4. Trust and Communication

Perhaps most importantly for expats, your family doctor is someone you need to trust implicitly. You need to feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics—from mental health struggles to reproductive issues.

Trying to do this through a language barrier, or with a grumpy doctor you’ve never met before in a crowded public clinic, is incredibly difficult. At Swiss Medical Services, our English-speaking GPs provide a confidential, unhurried environment where you are truly listened to.

Don't Wait for an Emergency

The best time to find a doctor is when you feel well. Establish a relationship now so that when you do need help, you make one phone call to a team that already knows you.