Who is this guide for?
This guide is for you if you need to book healthcare contact or understand what happens after you contact a Health Centre.
It explains appointments and assessment of need for care as an administrative service path. It does not give medical advice, assess symptoms or explain treatment.
How to book an appointment
In Finland, booking an appointment does not always mean an immediate doctor's visit. Often the first step is to contact the Health Centre or your region's digital service, after which a professional assesses the situation and the right next step.
Basic appointment path
Step 1
Check the guidance of your wellbeing services county or Helsinki
Check your situation before the next action.
Step 2
Contact by phone, digital service or another instructed method
This is the next point in the route.
Step 3
Briefly explain what the matter is and how urgent it is
This is the next point in the route.
Step 4
Answer questions for assessment of need for care
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
Receive advice, an appointment, further instruction or guidance to another service
This is the next point in the route.
If the matter is urgent, use your regional urgent-care guidance. In an emergency, call 112.
Ways to contact the service
Contact methods vary by region. A wellbeing services county may use phone service, callback, electronic service, chat or a visit to a service point when instructed. In Helsinki, the model may differ because the city organises its own health and social services.
Phone or callback
In many regions, first contact is made by phone or through a callback service.
Electronic service
Your region may direct you to a digital contact service or form.
Visit in person
For some matters, the region may instruct you to visit a service point. Always check your own region's guidance.
What is assessment of need for care?
Assessment of need for care means that a healthcare professional clarifies what kind of help you need, how urgent the matter is and which service is the right next step.
It is not the same as a final diagnosis. The purpose is to guide you to a suitable service and decide whether you need, for example, nurse advice, a doctor's appointment, digital instructions, a referral or another service.
Important principle
Appointment booking often starts with assessment. A doctor's appointment is booked when the professional assesses it as the right next step.
What should I prepare before contact?
Keep ready your personal details, contact details, address, information about your region or service and any interpreting need. If the matter relates to an earlier visit, prescription, referral, certificate or information in MyKanta, mention this.
Explain the matter clearly and briefly. If you do not understand the instructions, ask for them in writing.
Prepare practical details
Name, personal identity code or date of birth, phone number, address and how you can be reached.
Say what you need
Do you need an appointment, advice, certificate, prescription-related handling, further instruction or contact with a professional?
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment, you may be offered different solutions. It is not always a doctor's appointment.
Possible next steps
Step 1
You receive advice or administrative instructions for the next action
This is the next point in the route.
Step 2
You receive a nurse call, remote contact or appointment
This is the next point in the route.
Step 3
You receive a doctor's appointment if it is assessed as necessary
This is the next point in the route.
Step 4
You are guided to another service, such as dental care or social services
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
You receive a referral or further instruction for later care
This is the next point in the route.
If you are unsure about the next step, ask who is responsible for the matter and when you should contact the service again.
If a referral or further care is needed
Access to some services may require a referral or a professional assessment. A referral may relate, for example, to specialised healthcare, examinations, rehabilitation or another service.
The Health Centre or the assessing professional will explain what happens next. Later, check instructions and entries in MyKanta if they are available there.
If you need a sign language interpreter
Tell about the interpreting need at the beginning of the contact. Say whether you need a sign language interpreter, speech-to-text interpreting or another accessible communication method.
If you use Kela's interpreting service for persons with disabilities, book the interpreter early according to Kela's instructions. Ask for appointment and next-step instructions in writing as well.