Emergency or home doctor? How to decide
Knowing who to call saves time and a scare. This guide helps you tell when to call 131 and when a doctor's visit at home is enough.
Call 131 (SAMU) or go to the emergency room if there is…
- Severe difficulty breathing or a feeling of suffocation.
- Severe or crushing chest pain.
- Loss of consciousness, prolonged fainting or sudden confusion.
- Signs of a stroke: drooping face, weakness in one arm or difficulty speaking.
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop.
- Seizures.
- A serious accident or blow.
- A severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the face or throat.
In these cases do not wait for a home doctor to arrive and do not book a video consultation: time matters. If you are unsure how serious it is, always choose the safest option and call 131. In Chile, 131 is the SAMU (ambulance) number; 132 is the fire department and 133 is the Carabineros (police).
A home doctor is useful for…
- Everyday problems: colds, general discomfort, fever without warning signs, mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, mild infections.
- Check-ups and follow-up at home: chronic conditions, ongoing treatments, reviewing test results.
- People who cannot travel easily: older adults, reduced mobility or patients on bed rest.
During the visit, the doctor checks your vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation), talks with you about your symptoms and history, examines you as needed for your reason for consulting and prescribes treatment, a prescription or a referral if appropriate. If the doctor decides you need care at a health center, they will tell you.
Three questions to decide
- Is there a risk to life, or is the person getting worse quickly? Call 131.
- Is the person stable, and can the assessment wait a few hours? A home visit or a video consultation may be enough.
- Might they need a procedure or tests that can only be done at a hospital or clinic? Go to an emergency department.
If the doctor who sees you at home decides you need a different level of care, they will refer you. With SmartDoctor you can book visits every day from 8:00 to 24:00; outside those hours, in an emergency, call 131 or go to the emergency room.
If there is a risk to life, don't wait: call 131 (SAMU) or go to the nearest emergency department. SmartDoctor is not an emergency service.
This guide is informational and does not replace an assessment by a health professional. Our professionals are certified by Chile's Superintendencia de Salud: you can check the official registry.
Frequently asked questions
Does SmartDoctor handle emergencies?
No. SmartDoctor is for non-urgent consultations and check-ups. In an emergency, call 131 (SAMU) or go to the nearest emergency department.
Can I book a home doctor at night?
Yes, until 24:00, every day. Visits between 19:00 and 24:00 have the night rate. After 24:00, in an emergency, call 131.
What happens if the doctor thinks I need the emergency room?
The professional tells you about the referral and how to proceed. If there is a risk to life, 131 (SAMU) is activated.