Doctor visit
On a trip, a fever, an upset stomach or a child's cough often starts at night, just when searching for a clinic in an unfamiliar city and a foreign language is the last thing you want. At moments like that, a doctor coming to your room is a real relief. On this page we explain when calling a doctor is the right route, when it is not, and how we arrange the visit so the doctor understands you and your insurer reimburses you.
- hotel, apartment, villaWhere
- 112 firstLife at risk
- licensedDoctor
- with an interpreterLanguage
How it works
The visiting doctor makes the diagnosis and decides on treatment. We arrange the visit, stay in touch and plan the next steps.
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The first call
We briefly clarify the symptoms and any danger signs.
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Choosing the doctor
A general physician, a paediatrician or another specialist if needed.
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The visit
Examination, sometimes a simple test, and advice.
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Prescription and pharmacy
Having medicine delivered or finding a pharmacy.
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Documents
A report and a receipt for your insurer.
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Follow-up
A second visit, a clinic or an online consultation.
Who this page is for
For tourists and business travellers who fall ill while in Georgia and for whom getting to a clinic is difficult or unnecessary.
And for families with children or elderly parents, when a doctor coming to them is the calmest solution.
Our part in it
We do not diagnose over the phone or prescribe medicine. Only a licensed doctor who comes to you does that.
Our job is to get the right doctor to you quickly, make sure you understand each other and leave nothing unclear after the visit. We take no commission from the doctor's service.
112 first
Chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding or signs of a stroke are not a case for a doctor's visit.
In that case you call 112 immediately, and an ambulance comes.
We step in afterwards: interpreting, contact with the hospital and keeping your family informed.
When a doctor's visit is best
A fever, a cold, an upset stomach, an allergic rash or earache can often be assessed easily by a visiting doctor.
It is especially convenient when moving is hard, a child is asleep or it is night-time.
The doctor decides on the spot whether the visit is enough or whether a clinic is better.
When a clinic is best
If you are likely to need an X-ray, an ultrasound or a quick test, a clinic is often the faster route.
With an injury, a suspected fracture or a deep cut, a doctor in a hotel room cannot do much.
In that case we arrange a transfer straight to the clinic and meet you there with an interpreter.
Who comes
Usually a general physician or family doctor comes, and a paediatrician for a child.
In some cities another specialist can be called out too, but this cannot always be arranged quickly.
We check that the doctor holds a licence and has the relevant experience.
Day and night
In the big cities a doctor can often be called at any time of day or night.
At night and on public holidays the wait is sometimes longer.
While you wait we stay on the phone and tell you what to watch out for.
The regions and the mountains
In the mountains and in villages a doctor cannot always come to you.
There we often look for the nearest outpatient clinic or hospital and arrange transport.
That is why, before a mountain tour, we suggest you carry a small supply of basic medicines.
What to know when you call
What is wrong and when it started, your temperature and what medicine you have taken.
Whether you have a chronic condition, an allergy or a pregnancy.
The exact address, the room number and who will be with you when the doctor arrives.
What to have ready for the doctor
Your passport and insurance policy details.
A list of your regular medication and, if you have them, recent medical reports.
The thermometer reading and a short note of what happened when, even on your phone.
Coordinating with the hotel
We let reception know in advance that a doctor is coming, so they can go straight up to the room.
Some hotels have their own partner doctor, and sometimes that is the fastest route.
For a villa or an apartment we send the doctor an exact landmark so they do not get lost on the way.
Language during the visit
Some doctors speak English or Russian, some only Georgian.
An interpreter either comes in person or interprets the visit by phone or video call.
At night, phone interpreting is often the quickest solution.
What the doctor does on site
The doctor examines you, checks blood pressure, temperature and oxygen, and listens to your heart and lungs.
Some doctors also do a simple rapid test or take a sample.
Based on that, they recommend treatment, rest or going to a clinic.
Prescriptions
The doctor prescribes medicine, and some medicines are only dispensed at a pharmacy with a prescription.
The doctor either writes the prescription on paper or issues it electronically.
We write out the dose and how to take it in your language so there are no mistakes.
Pharmacies
There are plenty of pharmacies in the cities, and some are open at night.
In some cases we arrange for medicine to be delivered to your hotel.
If a medicine has a different name in your country, we find it by its active ingredient.
Upset stomach
One of the most common problems for travellers is a stomach upset from new food or water.
The main thing is often replacing fluids, and the doctor tells you what to take.
Blood, a high temperature or severe weakness are reasons to see a doctor quickly.
Fever and colds
A fever is often a sign of a viral infection and passes in a few days.
The doctor assesses whether a test or other treatment is needed.
Only a doctor prescribes antibiotics, and they are not always necessary.
Allergies
New foods, plants or an insect bite sometimes cause an allergic reaction.
A mild rash can often be handled with a doctor's visit.
Swelling of the face or tongue and difficulty breathing are an emergency - call 112.
Sun and heat
In summer, heatstroke and sunburn are common, especially in children.
Headache, nausea and weakness in the heat are reasons to see a doctor.
A cool room and water help even before the doctor arrives.
Altitude
In high mountain areas some people get a headache, poor sleep or breathlessness.
A mild symptom often passes with rest, but if it gets worse you need to go lower.
In that case we contact a local doctor or the rescue services.
A child
A child's fever at night is what worries parents most.
A paediatrician coming to the room frightens a child less than an unfamiliar clinic.
Write down the child's weight and when they last had medicine before the doctor arrives.
An older traveller
Older travellers often have a chronic condition and take regular medication.
Sudden weakness, confusion or a fall needs a doctor's attention.
A doctor's visit is often better than a long wait in a clinic's waiting room.
Chronic conditions
If a chronic condition flares up, the doctor needs your own doctor's latest report.
Sometimes the local doctor and your doctor talk on the phone, and we arrange that.
Only a doctor decides on changing medication.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy some everyday medicines are not allowed.
So we always mention a pregnancy when we call.
Abdominal pain, bleeding or waters breaking are an emergency - call 112.
Online consultation
In a mild case a video call with a doctor is sometimes enough.
It is often quicker, and the doctor says whether an in-person visit is needed.
An interpreter joins the video call too.
Travel insurance
A travel policy often covers sudden illness, but the rules vary by insurer.
Some insurers require you to call their assistance line before calling a doctor.
So whenever possible we contact the policy's hotline first.
Documents for your insurer
For reimbursement you usually need the doctor's report, with the diagnosis and prescriptions, and a receipt.
We ask for the document in English or in your language.
We keep the pharmacy receipts together, because the insurer asks for those too.
Payment
The fee for the visit is set by the doctor or their service.
We confirm the form of payment - cash, card or direct billing to the insurer - before the visit.
We neither take nor pass on any money.
Follow-up
We often call the day after the visit to ask how you are.
If you are not improving, we arrange a second visit or a clinic.
We also take the doctor's advice into account in your tour plan.
Changing the tour plan
Carrying on with a tour while ill is often a bad idea.
We move the tour or transfer to another day and extend your hotel stay.
To change a flight, the airline or insurer sometimes needs a doctor's note.
Flying while ill
Flying with a high temperature or an infection is hard on you and on others.
We ask the doctor about flying and request a note if needed.
We help you change your ticket.
Infection and isolation
If the doctor suspects a contagious infection, they advise how to protect your fellow travellers.
In that case we arrange with the hotel for meals to be brought to your room.
On a group tour we also inform the group leader, with your consent.
Animal bites
A dog or cat bite or scratch is always a reason to see a doctor.
Sometimes a preventive vaccine is needed, and that is given at a clinic.
So in this case we often choose a clinic directly rather than a doctor's visit.
Minor injuries
A twisted ankle, a bruise or a small cut can be assessed by a doctor on site.
If a fracture is suspected, you need a clinic for an X-ray.
Cleaning and stitching a wound is sometimes done at a clinic.
Ears, throat and nose
Earache after a flight or a swim, and a sore throat, are common among travellers.
The doctor examines the ear and throat on the spot and says whether treatment is needed.
With bad earache, the doctor's view before a flight matters especially.
Eyes
A red, itchy eye or a feeling of something in it is often linked to dust or allergy.
Contact lens wearers are better off removing the lens and seeing a doctor.
A sudden worsening of vision is a reason to see an eye doctor urgently.
Toothache
A general doctor can often ease toothache for a while, but treatment is a dentist's job.
In that case we arrange a dentist's appointment directly, the same day where we can.
Facial swelling and a temperature, though, need prompt attention.
What to ask the doctor
What the likely cause is and which signs mean we should call again.
How long to take the medicine and whether it can be taken with other medicines.
Whether tomorrow's tour, driving or flying is fine.
If the doctor cannot come quickly
Sometimes, especially at night or on busy days, the doctor is delayed.
In that case we weigh up whether a trip to a clinic's reception or a video consultation is better.
If things get worse while you wait, call 112 without waiting.
A traveller's medical kit
Something for fever, a painkiller, an antihistamine and plasters often get you through the first night.
Regular medication always in your hand luggage, with a small reserve.
Ask a paediatrician in advance what is safe for a child.
Water and food
In many cities tap water is considered drinkable, but some people choose bottled water in the first days.
Georgian cuisine is generous, and moderation in the first days helps your stomach.
Street food and fresh fruit are best eaten after washing your hands.
The guide and the group
On our tours the guide is often the first to notice that someone is unwell.
They contact us, and we find a doctor or the nearest clinic along the route.
Meanwhile the rest of the group's plans are disrupted as little as possible.
Business travellers
On a business trip, illness often starts the night before an important meeting.
We arrange a doctor's visit to your room and help move the meeting online.
An employer sometimes asks for a doctor's note too, and we prepare it in English.
Your state of mind
A panic attack or severe anxiety is especially hard in an unfamiliar city.
The doctor rules out physical causes and, if needed, suggests contacting a psychologist.
We cover psychological support on a separate page.
Confidentiality
Only the doctor and the interpreter learn what is wrong.
We tell the hotel only what is needed for the doctor to get in.
We share nothing with your employer or group without your consent.
For people living here
If you live here, it is better to have a family doctor in advance who will come to your home if needed.
Such a doctor will already know your history, and the visit will be quicker.
We help you choose a family doctor and a paediatrician.
Common mistakes
Waiting for a doctor when you should have called 112.
Skipping the insurer's hotline and then having trouble with reimbursement.
Losing the report and the receipt after the visit.
What we need from you
What is wrong, when it started and who the doctor is for - an adult or a child.
The address, the room and a phone number the doctor can call.
Your insurance policy, if you have one, and the language you want to speak.
Cost
The fee for the visit is set by the doctor's service, and a night or holiday visit sometimes differs.
The interpreter and medicine delivery are separate items.
Our coordination is agreed in advance, and we take nothing from the doctor's service.
Frequently asked questions about calling a doctor
Not finding your answer? Message us on WhatsApp - we will reply personally.
When should I call 112 and when should I call you?
If life is at risk - chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness - call 112 first. Otherwise we arrange a doctor's visit or a clinic.
Will a doctor come at night?
In the big cities, often yes. At night and on public holidays the wait is sometimes longer.
Will the doctor speak my language?
Some doctors speak English or Russian. If not, an interpreter joins in person or by phone.
Will the doctor prescribe medicine?
Yes, if needed. Some medicines are only dispensed with a prescription, and we arrange a pharmacy or delivery.
Does travel insurance cover this?
Often yes, but some insurers require you to call their hotline first. So we contact it first.
What documents do I need for reimbursement?
Usually the doctor's report with the diagnosis and prescriptions, and a receipt. We ask for the documents in English or in your language.
Will a paediatrician come for a child?
Often yes. Write down the child's weight and the time of their last medicine in advance.
Can you call a doctor in the mountains?
Not always. We often find the nearest outpatient clinic or hospital and arrange transport.
Can a video call replace a doctor's visit?
In a mild case, often yes. The doctor says whether an in-person visit is needed.
An animal bit me - will you call a doctor?
In this case we often choose a clinic directly, because a preventive vaccine is sometimes needed.
I am ill and have a tour booked - what now?
We move the tour or transfer to another day. We ask the doctor about flying and request a note if needed.
Who will know about my condition?
Only the doctor and the interpreter. We tell the hotel only what is needed for the doctor to get in.
How much does it cost?
The doctor's service sets the fee for the visit. The interpreter and delivery are separate, and our coordination is agreed in advance.
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