Patient & Doctor
The Relationship Between Patient and General Practitioner in Curaçao
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On Curaçao, the vast majority of the population is insured through the SVB (Social Insurance Bank). If you are SVB-insured, you have the right to choose the general practitioner (GP) of your choice. This chosen GP’s name will be registered on your SVB card and becomes your main healthcare provider, responsible for your medical care — both during office hours and outside office hours.
Most GPs on the island are affiliated with the government-managed Primary Care Urgency Post (Huisartsenpost) for out-of-hours care. However, not every GP is automatically connected to this service. It is important that you ask your GP whether they are affiliated with the Huisartsenpost. If they are, you will be directed to the appropriate urgent care services when your own doctor’s practice is closed.
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In addition to SVB-insured patients, all GPs on Curaçao also provide healthcare for people with private insurance and those without any insurance. Everyone is entitled to receive appropriate and respectful medical care, regardless of their insurance status.
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At the core of the GP-patient relationship lies mutual trust and respect. A good relationship with your GP supports better communication, more accurate diagnoses, and treatment that is better aligned with your personal situation.
Patient Education
A well-informed patient is an empowered patient. Patient education (patiëntenvoorlichting) plays a crucial role in achieving better health outcomes, reducing unnecessary doctor visits, and strengthening the collaboration between the patient and the general practitioner (GP).
On Curaçao, as in many other countries, many common health issues can be safely managed at home, especially when the patient has access to clear, trustworthy information. Mild conditions such as the common cold, minor digestive issues, or skin irritations often resolve on their own and do not always require a consultation. However, when patients are unsure, access to reliable medical information helps them decide whether professional care is needed.
To support this, GPs encourage patients to consult trusted medical information websites, such as:
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www.thuisarts.nl – Developed by Dutch general practitioners and supported by the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG), this site provides evidence-based information in understandable language, organized by symptoms and conditions.
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www.GPinfo.nl – Another reputable source offering clear, concise, and medically accurate content for patients, including what to expect during consultations and how certain illnesses are treated.
These platforms help patients:
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Understand their symptoms and possible causes
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Learn when to consult a doctor and when to wait
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Follow guidance for self-care at home
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Prepare for medical appointments with questions and observations
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Better understand prescribed treatments or diagnostic steps
Good patient education also reduces unnecessary pressure on the healthcare system, allowing GPs to focus on patients with urgent or complex needs. It encourages shared decision-making, where the patient and doctor together choose the best course of action based on medical expertise and personal preferences.
The CHV (Curaçaose Huisartsen Vereniging) supports ongoing efforts to promote patient literacy and encourage the use of verified, evidence-based information sources. In the age of internet misinformation, being able to distinguish between medical fact and fiction is more important than ever.