Hospital appointments .

[superal]

I recent[y attended a well known private hospital here in Thailand and after a phone call enquiry was given a firm appointment time . I explained during the phone call that I did not want a government type hospital appointment , where it is common to wait 2 or 3 hours to speak to a doctor . Not the case I was told you have an 11 00 am firm appointment for an initial heart assessment .

                   I arrived at the hospital to register my details at 10 30 am and was in the waiting room to see the doctor at 10 40 am . There were about 10 other people in the waiting room . 11 15am still sat waiting and I asked when I would see the doctor and was told there are 8 patients in front of you but I said I have a firm 11 00 am appointment and the reply was yes but it is first come first seen . Finally saw the doctor at 12 00 mid day .     The doctor did not speak English and so they provided a translator  , I was told at the enquiry stage the doctors spoke English so very disappointing . So total waste of a day . 

        I have not named the hospital as I am not sure of the forum rules but was I just unlucky or is my experience the norm ?

[1FinickyOne]

7 minutes ago, superal said:

they provided a translator

That was nice of them... but did that delay and the questions you might have cause a delay for the next person?

 

I have found them mostly good about appointments here, amazing for walk-in... but Drs. anywhere can easily get delayed helping people w/complications... scheduling is not a precise science though I am sure they find it preferable to be busy... first come first served is rather typical here... 

 

There can be a cultural issue as saying "no" to a customer can feel impolite for many Thai -  

 

Hope your medical issue went well..

[superal]

6 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

That was nice of them... but did that delay and the questions you might have cause a delay for the next person?

 

I have found them mostly good about appointments here, amazing for walk-in... but Drs. anywhere can easily get delayed helping people w/complications... scheduling is not a precise science though I am sure they find it preferable to be busy... first come first served is rather typical here... 

 

There can be a cultural issue as saying "no" to a customer can feel impolite for many Thai -  

 

Hope your medical issue went well..

Actually it did not go well because I was none the wiser when I left and no testing done and I had fasted for 16 hours , maybe my symptoms  lost in translation . Really surprised because every time I have been to a government hospital , all of the doctors spoke English and some also German . My gripe is when paying for private treatment one would think a top service would laid on .  

[tonray]

It really depends..I went to Samitivej Thonburi in Bangkok to see a surgeon about a lump in my neck and after 5 minute BP screening and questioning by nurse about issue...immediately in to see doctor and then sent to ultrasound...all finished within 1 hour.

[Sheryl]

Some hospitals do indeed use a "first come first serve" approach. It varies by hospital.

 

As for English speaking, it varies greatly by doctor.

 

You should always choose the doctor in advance, never let the hospital choose for you. Being able to select the doctor is one of the main advantages of a private hospital. That way yo ucan be assurred not just of English speaking but also competancy and experience.

 

As to all you were told - ignore all such things. The person who told you all this was a clerk or marketing person with little knowledge of what actually goes on and very likely to tell you whatever they think you want to hear.

 

If you can provide some specifics as to your problem I will suggest a doctor.

 

[1FinickyOne]

2 hours ago, superal said:

My gripe is when paying for private treatment one would think a top service would laid on .  

I would not necessarily think that... I would rely most on recommendations... but go to a private hospital for comfort, shorter wait times etc.. 

[NancyL]

I've found that a well-known private hospital in Chiang Mai has a "queue system" for some of their departments but not others.  I refuse to patronize those departments where I'm told I have a 1 pm appointment, only to find that when I show up at 12:45 pm, 8 people are ahead of me "in the queue".  If I want this treatment, I'll go to the government hospital, where it's more entertaining to watch the crowd.

 

Usually the person making the appointment will answer questions about whether I have an absolute appointment or if the doctor uses a queue system and others are being given an appointment at the same time as mine, but if usually takes several questions to receive a direct answer.  We've found that here in Thailand you often have to ask just the right question to gain the information you're seeking.

 

Every doctor I've worked with in Chiang Mai speaks enough English to get the job done.