Preparing for Your Visit to Klinik St. Georg

At a Glance

The Journey Starts Before You Pack

The decision to travel to Germany for medical treatment is significant. For most of our patients, it represents months or years of searching for answers, trying treatments that did not work, and finally deciding to pursue a different approach. We understand the weight of that decision, and we want to make the practical side of it as straightforward as possible.

This guide covers everything between your decision to come and the moment you walk through our doors. If you follow these steps, your first day at the hospital will be smooth and your treatment can begin without delay.

Step 1: The Initial Consultation (4-8 Weeks Before Arrival)

Your journey begins with a consultation, not a booking. We need to understand your condition, review your history, and determine whether treatment at our hospital is appropriate for you before we schedule anything.

How to initiate contact:

• Email our international patient department with a brief summary of your condition and what you are seeking treatment for
• Our team will respond with a questionnaire and a request for relevant medical records
• Once we review your records, a telemedicine consultation is scheduled with Dr. Douwes or a member of the clinical team

During the consultation, we will discuss:

• Your complete medical history and current symptoms
• Treatments you have tried and their outcomes
• The specific therapies we offer that may be appropriate for your condition
• A preliminary treatment plan, including estimated duration and number of sessions
• Realistic expectations for outcomes
• Logistics and timing

This consultation is a two-way assessment. We are evaluating whether we can help you, and you are evaluating whether you trust us with your care. Take your time. Ask every question you have. There is no pressure to commit during the call.

Step 2: Medical Records Preparation

This is the step that patients most commonly underestimate. Thorough medical records allow us to begin treatment immediately upon your arrival rather than spending your first days repeating tests that have already been done elsewhere.

What We Need

Laboratory results (from the past 6-12 months):

• Complete blood count with differential
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (liver function, kidney function, electrolytes)
• Coagulation panel (PT, INR, aPTT, fibrinogen)
• Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, ferritin)
• Thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4)
• Lipid panel (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, Lp(a) if available)
• Immune markers (immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte subsets if available)
• Infection-specific testing relevant to your condition (Lyme Western Blot, ELISpot, viral panels)

Imaging studies:

• Any relevant MRI, CT, or ultrasound reports and, if possible, the actual images on CD or via digital transfer
• Cardiac assessment (ECG report; echocardiogram if you have a cardiac history)

Treatment history:

• A written chronological summary of your condition: when symptoms began, how they progressed, what treatments you have tried, and how you responded
• Your current medication and supplement list, with dosages and frequency
• Known allergies and adverse drug reactions
• Surgical history

Practical tips for records preparation:

• Request records from all relevant physicians at least 4 weeks in advance — medical records departments can be slow
• If records are in a language other than English or German, have the key documents translated. Laboratory results typically do not need translation as the values are universal
• Organize records chronologically in a single folder or digital file
• If you do not have certain lab results, let us know — we can order them upon arrival, but this may delay the start of treatment by a day

What Happens If Records Are Incomplete

We can work with incomplete records. We will repeat any necessary tests on your first day at the hospital. However, having comprehensive records in advance allows us to design your treatment plan before you arrive, which means treatment can begin sooner and your time in Germany is used more efficiently.

Step 3: Travel Planning

Getting to Bad Aibling

Klinik St. Georg is located in Bad Aibling, a quiet Bavarian spa town approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Munich.

By air: Fly to Munich Airport (MUC), which is the closest major international airport with direct connections from most major cities worldwide. From the airport, Bad Aibling is approximately 90 minutes by car or train.

Airport to hospital:

• Private transfer: We can arrange a private car transfer from Munich Airport directly to the hospital or your hotel. This is the most convenient option, especially if you are arriving tired from a long flight. Expect a cost of approximately 120-180 EUR for a one-way transfer.
• Train: Take the S-Bahn from the airport to Munich Hauptbahnhof (central station), then a regional train (Meridian or BRB line) to Bad Aibling station. The total journey takes approximately 90 minutes and costs around 25 EUR. The hospital is a short taxi ride from the station.
• Rental car: If you plan to explore the area between sessions, a rental car provides flexibility. Parking at and near the hospital is available.

When to Arrive

We recommend arriving in Bad Aibling at least one day before your scheduled hospital admission. This gives you time to recover from travel, adjust to the time zone, and settle into your accommodation without the pressure of medical appointments.

For patients traveling from distant time zones (North America, Asia, Australia), consider arriving 2-3 days early if possible. Jet lag adds unnecessary stress to the body, and we prefer patients to be as rested as possible before beginning treatment.

How Long to Plan For

These are estimates. Your treating physician will provide a more precise timeline based on your individual treatment plan after the initial consultation.

Step 4: Accommodation

During Treatment (Hospital Stay)

When you are actively receiving treatment or in the supervised recovery period, you stay at the hospital. Our rooms are single-occupancy with ensuite bathrooms. Meals are prepared fresh in the hospital kitchen, with options for dietary restrictions and preferences.

Between Sessions

If your treatment plan includes a gap between sessions — for example, the 7-14 day interval between the first and second hyperthermia session — you do not need to remain in the hospital during that time. Many patients stay at hotels or vacation apartments in Bad Aibling or the surrounding area.

Accommodation options near the hospital:

• Hotels in Bad Aibling range from simple guesthouses to comfortable 3-4 star options (80-150 EUR per night)
• Vacation apartments are available for longer stays and offer the advantage of a kitchen for preparing your own meals (700-1,200 EUR per week)
• The hospital can provide recommendations based on your budget and preferences
• Bad Aibling is a historic spa town with thermal baths, walking paths, and a charming town center — it is a pleasant place to recover

For Companions

If a family member or partner is traveling with you, they cannot stay in your hospital room during treatment periods, but they are welcome to visit during visiting hours. Nearby hotels easily accommodate companions, and the relaxed atmosphere of the town provides a comfortable base for someone waiting while you recover.

Step 5: What to Pack

Essential Documents

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay)
• Visa documentation (if applicable — see our international patients guide)
• Travel insurance documentation
• Medical records folder (printed copies and digital backup)
• List of current medications with generic names and dosages
• Emergency contact information
• Hospital admission letter and correspondence
• Credit/debit cards and a small amount of euros for incidentals

Medications and Supplements

• All current medications in original packaging (not loose in a pill organizer), with enough supply for your entire stay plus 2 extra weeks
• A letter from your prescribing physician listing your medications, especially for controlled substances — German customs may request this
• Any supplements you take regularly — while we can source most supplements in Germany, your specific brands may not be available

Clothing and Comfort

• Loose, comfortable clothing for hospital days — think soft fabrics, elastic waistbands, easy layering
• A warm robe and comfortable slippers for the hospital
• Walking shoes for the recovery days when you will want to take gentle walks
• Layers for variable weather — Bavaria can be cool even in summer, and hospital rooms can vary in temperature
• Sleepwear you find genuinely comfortable

Entertainment and Wellbeing

• Books, e-reader, tablet, or laptop for the considerable downtime during recovery
• Headphones (noise-canceling recommended — hospital environments have background noise)
• A journal or notebook — many patients find it helpful to track symptoms and progress
• Comfort items from home — a familiar pillow cover, photos, anything that makes an unfamiliar environment feel more personal
• Power adapter for European outlets (Type C or Type F, 230V) — bring at least two

What Happens on Day 1

Your first day at the hospital follows a structured but unhurried schedule:

Morning:

• Arrival and check-in at the reception desk
• Your international patient coordinator meets you and walks you to your room
• Orientation to the ward — where everything is, how to call nursing staff, meal times, visiting hours

Late Morning / Early Afternoon:

• Physical examination by your treating physician
• Detailed intake consultation — we review your history, records, current symptoms, and goals
• Baseline blood draw (comprehensive laboratory panel)
• ECG and any additional assessments required by your treatment plan
• IV access is established and gentle hydration begins

Afternoon:

• The treating physician discusses your preliminary treatment plan — which therapies, in what order, and the expected timeline
• Informed consent discussion for upcoming procedures
• Time to settle in, rest, and familiarize yourself with the hospital

Evening:

• Dinner in your room or the patient dining area
• Nursing staff will check on you and answer any remaining questions
• Rest and prepare for treatment, which typically begins on day 2 or 3

Clinical Perspective — Julian Douwes M.D. The patients who have the smoothest treatment experience are invariably the ones who prepared well. Organized medical records, realistic timelines, and proper rest before beginning treatment make a measurable difference. I also encourage patients to write down their questions in advance. You will have a detailed consultation with me or a colleague on your first day, and having your questions prepared ensures nothing is forgotten in the moment. We have treated patients from more than 90 countries, and we have seen every level of preparation. Let me assure you: there is no such thing as being too organized when it comes to your medical care.

Key Takeaways

• Begin preparation 4-8 weeks before your planned arrival with a telemedicine consultation
• Comprehensive medical records are the single most impactful thing you can do to ensure treatment begins promptly
• Plan for a 2-4 week stay in Germany depending on your treatment protocol
• Arrive at least one day early to rest and adjust, particularly if crossing multiple time zones
• Bad Aibling is a quiet, pleasant town with comfortable accommodation options near the hospital
• Pack for comfort first — loose clothing, entertainment for downtime, and all medications in original packaging
• Your first day is dedicated to assessment and planning — treatment typically begins on day 2 or 3

References

1. Douwes FR. “The Use of Whole-Body Hyperthermia in Combination with Other Treatment Modalities.” Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Onkologie, 2004;36(3):102-108.
2. Lunt N, et al. “What Are the Implications of Medical Tourism for National Health Systems? A Scoping Review.” International Journal for Equity in Health, 2012;11:86. PMID: 23272712.
3. World Health Organization. “Continuity and Coordination of Care: A Practice Brief to Support Implementation of the WHO Framework on Integrated People-Centred Health Services.” WHO, 2018. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241514033
4. Colombo C, et al. “Patient Empowerment as a Component of Health System Reforms: Rights, Benefits, and Vested Interests.” International Journal of Healthcare Management, 2015;8(4):234-240. doi:10.1179/2047971915Y.0000000011