Medical (Finland)!!!

[Elli&Chris 1]

I received a note yesterday with instructions on how to do the medical. It said this:

"Before you make an appointment with one of the doctors be sure that you have the following documents for presentation to the doctor: laboratory tests and x-ray film ready, three passport size photographs and your passport."

Am I supposed to do the laboratory and x-rays already before the actual appointment???

I already made the appointment (which is in a couple of weeks.. I still don't have a passport) and on the phone they said they would think that the laboratory and the x-rays would be taken during the medical examination, but yet when I told them about the instructions I was given, they couldn't be sure. I then talked with someone who knew more about taking the x-rays and she said that I can aswell do that the same day. She didn't know what to do with the laboratory tests though, and I couldn't reach anyone when I tried calling the laboratory. So what am I supposed to do??

Another thing, how long should the examination take? The paper I got yesterday didn't say anything about it, but I remember reading somewhere that it should be one hour. When I was making my appointment I asked if they knew, and once again they didn't, they only told me that usually the doctor has 20 minute lasting appointments. I ended up taking an hour long appointment and they just told me to cancel part of before hand it if I'll find out it doesn't have to be that long, or else I will have to pay a lot.

Anyone who can help with these problems?

[dariusp 0]

Can't really help you with situation in Finland but here, in UK, you are being told by the embassy to which clinic to go and clinic does x-ray and blood test and send results to the embassy. Examination took about an hour (including x-ray and waiting time). The downside is that the whole process cost £ 170!

Still, after reading your post I assume that YES, you need blood test and x-ray made before your appointment and you have to bring the results with you.

Hope it helps

Edited February 22, 2008 by dariusp

[eric_and_teresa 10]

Did you call the Doctor's office? With whom did you talk on the phone to? Doctors who are on the Embassy list are familiar with the procedure of medical exams required for immigration so it's kinda strange they could not give you the right information.

My medical exam took about 10 minutes, later I was given a lab order from the Doctor for the X-ray and blood exam. I called 2 of the doctors on the list, because I wanted to go to the one who'd schedule the appointment earlier, and one of the them required to have the X-ray before the medical exam. Why not call a different Doctor of the list? Just to find out what you need to do, and which laboratory tests you need to ask for at the lab.

Edited February 22, 2008 by eric_and_teresa

[Elli&Chris 1]

I called another doctor's office than the one before, and they gave me the doctor's number so I could personally call him! It's actually the same doctor than the one on the first place I called. He told me I don't need to have anything else ready than information about my vaccinations! The examination takes an hour like I thought it would and the x-rays and laboratory will be taken during that time. The doctor sounded really nice and he said I could call him if I have any more questions. I'm really happy it's all gonna work out now! Thank you for advice, it was really helpfull!