Updated info on good hospitals in Bangkok

[TheLaughingMan]

Ive seen some posts that are 10 years old and was wondering if anyone had some updated information or opinions on good government or private hospitals in Bangkok.  We were using Sukhumvit hospital at Ekamai and they charge alot and dont seem to fix anything.  We'd like to try a good government hospital if there is such a thing.  Are ST Louis or Bangkok Christian Hospital still decent hospitals? What about Mission or Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospitals?  Thankyou

[Celsius]

I think MedPark at present is a very good hospital overall unlike other expensive hospitals which are a hit and miss depending on what doctor is on duty. So, that being said, it is not about the hospital, but more about the doctors at these hospitals. I think you should mention what is your concern to get a much better advice.

[OneMoreFarang]

23 minutes ago, Celsius said:

I think you should mention what is your concern to get a much better advice.

I agree.

If you have a broken arm, then probably you can go to many places. With a bad heart you better think twice.

And obviously think about what you can afford. 

 

[Sheryl]

All hospitals have some bad or mediocre doctors and virtually all large hospitals  have some good ones. Choose the doctor, not the hospital.

 

There is no hospital you can choose that ensures good care. You can and will have very different experiencese-- and receive different treatment -- at the same hospital for the same condition depending on which doctor you see.

 

Never let the hospital clerical staff  -- or even the nurses -- select a doctor for you. More often than not you will be sent to whomever is least busy, and that is not a good sign.  Sometimes you will even be sent to the wrong specialist type altogether. 

 

There is no getting around the need to do some research and pre-select the doctor. Often the same doctor will have hours at more than one hospital. 

 

 

 

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

My sister in law is presently having chemo for Pancreatic cancer that's probably already in her liver and lung. It's not looking good for her and it's been a rough year but we hope for the best. She spent some time at CM University hospital and you'd think the very best care was to be found there, but they screwed up basic tissue sampling procedure and bile duct stent (routine procedures). Turns out the most competent care to be found for her is at the Chiang Rai government hospital, where the specialist was in awe at the incompetence elsewhere. It's not just incompetence, it's rampant commercialism i.e. sell unnecessary diagnostic procedures and crank out the pills like candy.

 

If you can find a good (and caring) doctor, in ANY hospital, hang onto them.

 

 

 

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Right but how are we supposed to find the right doctor when we dont even know whats wrong?  Or even if we did know what was wrong, what am I missing here in this "choosing a good doctor" advice, I dont get it, is there a yelp review section for doctors in thailand? ????  

 

My mother was having breathing trouble and lots of pain in her left shoulder and upper chest and pain breathing in.  They did tons of tests and everything came back normal, they charged us 9k and sent her home, outrageous in my opinion but whatever.  Since then and taking anti-inflamatories 2 times a day shes been able to keep the attacks of pain to a minimum but they are still there.

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, TheLaughingMan said:

Right but how are we supposed to find the right doctor when we dont even know whats wrong?  Or even if we did know what was wrong, what am I missing here in this "choosing a good doctor" advice, I dont get it, is there a yelp review section for doctors in thailand? ????  

 

My mother was having breathing trouble and lots of pain in her left shoulder and upper chest and pain breathing in.  They did tons of tests and everything came back normal, they charged us 9k and sent her home, outrageous in my opinion but whatever.  Since then and taking anti-inflamatories 2 times a day shes been able to keep the attacks of pain to a minimum but they are still there.

First of all, the treatment your mother received was not "outrageous". The symptoms she had often arise from serious cardiac or pulmonary problems and it was essential to rule these out. As it happens she apparently  did not have a heart or lung problem, but she very well could have based on her symptoms.  Judging from the partial relief obtained from anti-inflammatories she might have costochondritis (inflammation of where ribs meet the breastbone). That is largely a diagnosis of exclusion.  Absolutely any doctor, anywhere, would tell you that a patient presenting with chest pain and trouble breathing needs a thorough cardiopulmonary work up as the very first step. That these sometimes yield negative results does not mean they were unnecessary. 

 

As for selecting doctors, many hospitals list doctor CVs on their website. Or you  can always come on this forum and ask for recommendations. Things to look for are: training (long term, like a residency or fellowship, not just a short course) in a western country; board certification; faculty appointment at a medical school. 

 

It is true that this pre-supposes knowing what type of specialist  is needed. Medical care in Thailand is quite specialized and there is not much in the way of real GPs here. One exception is an American doctor at Mission Hospital:

 

https://www.mission-hospital.org/en/our-doctors/40-medical-services/internal-medicine-clinic/959-dr-nick-walters.html

 

You might consider using him as you family's main doctor since you find it hard to navigate specialized care.  You will still need to do some research/seek recommendations when a specialized need arises (Mission is a comparatively small hospital and best specialists are often elsewhere) but at least you'll already know what type of specialist is needed and have already had an initial work up and tests. 

 

[Keep Right]

Many doctors move around in Thailand from government hospitals to private hospitals and back in just a few days. I found a good doctor at Bumrungrad Hospital that taught medicine at a Bangkok University one day and then to to the local hospitals the next day. What is equally as important as a good doctor is the facilities that a hospital can offer. It is also very important to have very cute nurses on duty...........

[isaanistical]

Sheryl is right (as in ALWAYS right!).

But consider Camillian, up the top of Thonglor.  I/my family have had a number of generally quite good experiences there over the years with bills that are  -relatively - not so dangerous.

It lacks the 6-star hotel ambience of some other BKK establishments, which is another very good reason to use it!

[couchpotato]

14 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

Sheryl is right (as in ALWAYS right!).

But consider Camillian, up the top of Thonglor.  I/my family have had a number of generally quite good experiences there over the years with bills that are  -relatively - not so dangerous.

It lacks the 6-star hotel ambience of some other BKK establishments, which is another very good reason to use it!

I second that. Camillian is an old type hospital, but good doctors and service with a smile. Usually get my yearly VIP check ups there.

[isaanistical]

with the local libel laws in mind, I would like to assure everyone that Sikarin hospital (Srinakarin) is an absolute paragon, the perfect exemplar of patient handling and administrative excellence. Just as well, too, because medically they are quite good……….. I can't wait to get sick again just to go there.

[Lorry]

Sukhumvit Hospital is not bad.

They have some good doctors working there, Dr Prin for eyes is kind of famous, Dr Umaporn (urologist) works here as well as at Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital, Dr Chaiyasit (orthopedics) is a very experienced clinician. 

Their young doctors are often very competent, too.

The physical therapy department is a bit unusual,  but does have good points. 

 

The hospital tends to be quite expensive,  though. 

The nearest cheaper place is Camillian Hospital. It's good, but has definitely less specialists than Sukhumvit Hospital.

And Sukhumvit Hospital is more accessible. 

 

My experiences with St Louis Hospital are a mixed bag. But it's still the place I recommend most.