Where Can I Go to Get Tested for COVID-19 in Barcelona?
Sponsored by Turó Park Clinics.
Photo by Mariona Gil, courtesy of L'Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). https://www.barcelona.cat/imatges/ca/search/18737/passeig-on-es-veuen-diferents-familie/
More and more people are venturing out now that the restrictions are gradually easing up, but when it comes to testing for COVID-19, many questions remain. So we spoke with Madeleine Smit, CEO and founder of Turó Park Clinics, for some practical advice to help Barcelonians determine whether they should be tested for COVID-19, and, if so, where they should go for help.
What are some of the key challenges created by the extended confinement period?
The quarantine has restricted patient access to doctors and hospitals, putting those with chronic or emergency health needs at high risk.
Under the Spanish healthcare system, it can be difficult for patients, in either the public or private sectors, to see a specialist quickly or easily. The cancellation of medical procedures and appointments during this time in addition to the general confusion and uncertainty surrounding the pandemic have made accessing specialized care even more difficult. Some people are afraid to go to the doctor to get the care they need to manage chronic conditions—conditions which often make them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19—because they are concerned that doing so will mean risking exposure to the coronavirus. They find themselves in a situation in which they feel they have to balance the risks to two potentially bad outcomes, but without any real information to assess the risks accurately because there is still so much unknown.
How has your team responded to help with COVID-19?
Turó Park Clinics has developed a video consultation service that is quick and efficient. The center’s multilingual staff of specialists frequently provide same-day telemedicine consultations in French, English or Spanish.
Additionally, our clinic has developed a new offer to reduce the risk of exposing patients to the coronavirus. We developed a teleconsultation solution that helps patients determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19. In the event that they should be tested, we continue to aid them throughout the entire process until the end.
Our English-speaking doctors are already providing online consultations to assess each patient’s need for testing, both for the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) as well as serological (antibody) testing.
When should a person be tested for COVID-19?
COVID-19 may manifest itself in various forms, so it may be challenging for health workers as well as non-professionals to correctly diagnose. However the following are strong indicators you should have a health-care professional take a closer look:
- You have displayed COVID-19 symptoms.
- You have had a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 without being tested.
- You have had a first negative test but your symptoms persist.
- You have been in contact with someone that has been diagnosed even if you are not symptomatic.
What should you do if you think you have COVID-19?
- A person who is concerned about having been exposed to the coronavirus can get some peace of mind in four easy steps.
- Book a video consultation online for your medical assessment and test form filling.
- Go with your prescription to an authorized lab and get tested in Barcelona.
- Receive your results in 24 hours by mail.
- Receive doctor's follow-up by phone.
Turó Park Dental and Medical Center
Tell me about your traditional practice; what differentiates your services from others?
We have more than 30 English-speaking medical professionals working together here in this private, Barcelona-based clinic where we offer comprehensive medical services with our two health-care units: medical and dental (dentistry and orthodontics). The areas of expertise covered by our staff include general medicine, dentistry and orthodontics, gynecology, cardiology and pediatrics. We probably provide all of the health-care services you need.
Additionally, Turó Park Medical & Dental Center offers video consultation programs under which patients can also receive a COVID-19 testing assessment. The ability to get a medical consult remotely has filled a real need over the past two months. We have received many calls from all over Spain from English-speaking people who are isolated at home and are unsure of how to get medical advice or prescriptions.
What value and advantages does your approach offer?
Thanks to video consultations, patients from all over Spain can receive answers, follow-ups, invoices and the critical prescriptions they need without having to expose themselves to areas that may be contagious, such as within the public transportation system. Although Turó Park Clinics is located in Barcelona; patients outside this area are able to select and manage the best follow-up care wherever they reside in the country.
How does teleconsultation work?
- Register your patient account at turoparkmedical.com. You will be asked to fill in some data to register; it will take you only about three minutes. This information is for the invoice you will need to send to your insurance company for reimbursements. Your information will be safely treated to guarantee medical confidentiality.
- Download Zoom before your appointment. Book your consultation for the same day or later with an on-call doctor or any other medical specialist of your choice. You can join the meeting by Zoom and choose to chat, just talk or video call as you desire.
- Receive consultation results electronically. You can receive your diagnosis report, medical prescription, work stoppage certificate or other medical certificates all from one place: Turó Park Clinics. For further medical tests, you can always come by our clinic in Barcelona and see our doctors for a regular appointment.
What expertise does your team have?
Our Medical Specialties cover a variety of areas, including: psychological assistance (eg: anxiety attacks), general medicine, cardiology, otolaryngology or ENT (Ear Nose Throat), gynecology, infectious diseases, pediatrics as well as dentistry and orthodontics.
What are the most common conditions or reasons under your care?
Our on-call doctor and other Turó Park specialists can attend a large number of pathologies, the most common are prescription renewals and lab reports. We can cover diverse conditions such as: headaches, allergy symptoms, aid with smoking cessation, sleep deprivation, sexual problems, psychological assistance, etc.
We often help with many types of inflammation including: urinary tract infections, sore throats, ocular infections, flu, cough or common colds, sinusitis or stuffy nose. Similarly, we help with skin diseases: acne, rashes, itches, insect bites, ingrown toenails, etc. Another important area we have helped many patients with is with gastric and digestive problems: abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, acute gastroenteritis, constipation, stomach pain and acid reflux.
How can we make an appointment with the Turó Park team?
Appointments are booked easily online from the clinic’s website here: turoparkmedical.com. English-speaking staff can also assist with scheduling follow-up appointments or with insurance reimbursements.
You can find out more about the clinic’s services and book an appointment via the website at turoparkmedical.com and follow on Twitter: @park_turo, Facebook: @turoparkmedical, Instagram @turoparkmedical and LinkedIn.
Sponsored by Turó Park Clinics.
