Which doctor actually comes to my home?

Who is behind the doorbell

Anyone booking a private house call understandably wants to know who is about to ring the bell. With reputable Berlin providers the doctors are without exception 'approbiert' — they have completed full medical school, the practical year, the state exam and the state-issued medical licence. They are typically specialists in general practice or internal medicine with added experience in acute, emergency or house-call medicine. Some carry the additional title 'emergency medicine' or have worked for years in A&E, the rescue service or GP practices. Basic paediatric experience is standard in general practice; for complex paediatric cases we recommend parallel paediatric review.

At booking we tell you the doctor's name and speciality — part of our transparency and patient safety commitment. For specific needs — English-speaking, female or male, experience with pregnancy, seniors or children — let us know on the phone and we dispatch accordingly within availability. All doctors are members of the Berlin Medical Chamber, bound by the medical code of conduct, professional secrecy, mandatory CME and medical liability insurance. For concerns or complaints the Berlin Medical Chamber is the central regulator and mediator.

What we deliberately insist on: we never send practice assistants, students or 'paramedics with a stethoscope' — only licensed physicians. That is legally required in Germany for any diagnosis and prescription, but has been diluted in recent years by some 'telemedicine' hybrids. For a physical house call in Berlin the medical status is non-negotiable. A sick-note, prescription or hospital referral can only be issued by a licensed physician — and that is who rings your doorbell, introduces themselves, legitimises if asked (ID card and medical certificate on request) and examines you. You always have the right to ask for the licensing certificate, speciality and liability insurance.

Example: patient in Lichtenberg asks about qualifications

A 73-year-old patient in Lichtenberg is nervous before her first house call and asks the doctor: 'Are you a real doctor?' He shows a copy of his licensing certificate and Medical Chamber ID, explains his speciality (general practice with emergency-medicine experience) and gives his practice phone number. Reassured, she is examined and receives a precise diagnosis of hypertensive dysregulation with clear advice. Such transparency is not granted everywhere but standard with reputable providers — we encourage patients to ask when in doubt.

What to expect from your house-call doctor

• Approbation: full medical school, state exam, state licence — mandatory for every doctor.
• Speciality typically: general practice or internal medicine, often with additional emergency-medicine qualification.
• Membership Berlin Medical Chamber and medical liability insurance.
• We name the doctor's name and speciality at booking — transparency is standard.
• Language guarantee on request: English standard, others depending on availability.
• Choice of doctor gender: on request and subject to availability.
• ID on site: photo ID and medical certificate on request — no secrecy, no 'the doctor from last time'.
• Confidentiality: everything discussed on site is bound by medical secrecy — neither insurer nor employer learns anything without your explicit consent.