File photo

PHUKET - Vachira Phuket Hospital issued a public statement on Friday, urging all patients, particularly those from Russia, to exhibit respectful behavior towards medical staff. The statement comes after a reported rise in incidents involving rude and aggressive behavior from some Russian patients.

 

The hospital emphasized its commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to all patients, regardless of nationality. However, they highlighted the importance of a positive and respectful environment for both patients and medical professionals to ensure optimal care.

 

Specific Concerns Raised

 

While the statement did not detail specific incidents, local media reports suggest that some Russian patients have exhibited demanding and disrespectful behavior towards staff. These reports mention instances of yelling, verbal abuse, and unreasonable expectations regarding treatment.

 

Potential Reasons for the Increase

 

The rise in such incidents could be attributed to several factors. A surge in Russian tourists visiting Phuket, coupled with language barriers and cultural differences, could be contributing to misunderstandings and frustrations. Additionally, some patients might have unrealistic expectations of the healthcare system in Thailand, leading to dissatisfaction and potential outbursts.

 

Impact on Medical Staff

 

The hospital's statement underscores the negative impact such behavior can have on medical staff. Healthcare workers dedicate themselves to providing care in often stressful situations. Dealing with rude or aggressive patients adds an extra layer of strain and can affect morale and job satisfaction.

 

Seeking a Solution

 

Vachira Phuket Hospital is likely taking proactive steps to address this issue.  Here are some potential measures they might consider:

 

Multilingual signage and information brochures: Providing clear instructions and information about hospital procedures in multiple languages, including Russian, can help manage patient expectations and avoid misunderstandings.

Cultural sensitivity training for staff: Equipping staff with basic knowledge about Russian cultural norms and communication styles could help them better understand patient behavior and de-escalate potentially tense situations.

Patient liaisons or interpreters: Having staff members who speak Russian or can act as liaisons can facilitate communication and ensure clear understanding of instructions and expectations.

Zero-tolerance policy: The hospital might establish a clear policy outlining unacceptable behavior and potential consequences for such actions. This policy should be communicated to all patients upon admission.

Industry-Wide Challenge

 

Vachira Phuket Hospital is not alone in facing this challenge. Hospitals and medical facilities around the world have reported an increase in incidents involving disrespectful or aggressive patient behavior. This trend is likely fueled by factors like rising healthcare costs, long wait times, and a general decline in social courtesy.

 

Importance of Mutual Respect

 

A hospital environment thrives on mutual respect. Patients deserve high-quality care delivered with compassion and professionalism.  Conversely, medical staff should be treated with courtesy and understanding. Effective communication and cultural sensitivity training can go a long way in fostering a positive environment for both parties.

 

-- ASEAN NOW 2024-04-22

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Charge them more , Why does one need to be aggressive and disrespectful

in a hospital ....now they think they own the place 🙄

 

regards Worgeordie

Why place the onus on the hospital staff, the visitors should learn a little patience & perhaps a little Thai language, the leaflet idea is good providing they address the suitable questions and can then be easily translated into many languages with perhaps information on where to obtain additional information if required.

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

Equipping staff with basic knowledge about Russian cultural norms and communication styles

That is exactly what the staff have to put up with, their cultural norms. Maybe alcohol withdrawals also. 

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

brochures: Providing clear instructions and information about hospital procedures in multiple languages, including Russian,

now that is a good idea, if restaurants and other business have information in Russian then they should have too. IMO 

2 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

the leaflet idea is good providing they address the suitable questions and can then be easily translated into many languages

Like;  I am an Alcoholic, I need alcohol, who will take care of my business.

''Multilingual signage and information brochures: Providing clear instructions and information about hospital procedures in multiple languages, including Russian, can help manage patient expectations and avoid misunderstandings."

 

One loaded precedent...

How many languages, how many procedures?

 

Oh yes, the procedure about giving your name at the reception, getting a cue number, and waiting for your turn.

All these confusing steps that people of different culture and language seem to understand by intuition....

They only need one sign in russian. You are not welcome, do not enter!

Wow, really surprising.  People have posted on here how kind, considerate and wonderful the Rrussians are.

unreasonable expectations regarding treatment.
——

Yes, some people don’t expect to pay triple prices for everything and get angry. You cannot expect a respectability from somebody you openly rob. 

14 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Charge them more , Why does one need to be aggressive and disrespectful

in a hospital ....now they think they own the place 🙄

 

regards Worgeordie

 

Well it is Phuket....   Let the PM or anutin deal with this matter, they're the ones who let them in.

Nobody taught that typical aseannow “retired plumber” that there are not bad nations and even assume something like that is equal to being a retard.

Not at all clear what is hospital statement and what is reporter's comment.

5 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

unreasonable expectations regarding treatment.
——

Yes, some people don’t expect to pay triple prices for everything and get angry. You cannot expect a respectability from somebody you openly rob. 

You missed the mark... go away

Just put the Ruskies on a Vodka drip . That will calm them down.

 

If they get too much blood in their alcohol stream they get a bit cranky.

25 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

Why place the onus on the hospital staff, the visitors should learn a little patience & perhaps a little Thai language, the leaflet idea is good providing they address the suitable questions and can then be easily translated into many languages with perhaps information on where to obtain additional information if required.

"The hospital might establish a clear policy outlining unacceptable behavior"

 

Sad realty is that Russians have to be told what acceptable behavior is

 

 

 

28 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Charge them more , Why does one need to be aggressive and disrespectful

in a hospital ....now they think they own the place 🙄

 

regards Worgeordie

No just throw them out, refuse to serve them unless they behave.  If emergency cases, sedate them repeatedly.

 

Come on Geordie you don't really think you can pay for the right to be an ... hole do you?

Hellfire: Your English is not very clear. Is it your native tongue?

issue staff and security guards with tasers. That tends to slow down the aggression when it gets above normal acceptable levels

47 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

''Multilingual signage and information brochures: Providing clear instructions and information about hospital procedures in multiple languages, including Russian, can help manage patient expectations and avoid misunderstandings."

 

One loaded precedent...

How many languages, how many procedures?

 

Oh yes, the procedure about giving your name at the reception, getting a cue number, and waiting for your turn.

All these confusing steps that people of different culture and language seem to understand by intuition....

 

I've seen kiosks in other countries where a person can key in their question in their own language and request an answer in a specific language and in one case (in China) the question and the answer also appeared on screen in Chinese characters. And there was a button to get a print out of all the languages involved in that query. 

 

In reality just basic translation work and no brainer printing.

 

Many / most translation providers (e.g. Google) nowadays include translations for all / 99% of the languages across the whole world. 

25 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

"The hospital might establish a clear policy outlining unacceptable behavior"

 

Sad realty is that Russians have to be told what acceptable behavior is

 

 

 

Seems that way, drunken rape and theft, it seems that is acceptable behavior by them in the Ukraine, so give them free 3+ month visas Clown face PM, who has no Idea about Russians or their culture. 

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

.now they think they own the place 🙄

 

regards Worgeordie

They will do soon

A loading on rude customers is quite common in other countries. I remember my father saying in the 1960s in NZ that this happened when householders were rude to workmen in or around the house.

 

No reason the Russians (and anyone else!) shouldn't get a 10% or 20% loading on their bill for bad behaviour. And this should be mentioned in the 'Information' brochure they should be given - in multiple languages - before treatment begins. If the patient is out to it, then brochure goes to the caring person or persons accompanying.

Maybe for a International hospital they should be employing Russian staff I see plenty of Russians going there when I have had to use the hospital, 

The hospital staff are not completely innocent especially the nurses their attitude has been really bad on a few occasions, To me it was like they dont like Farangs, One time I was in there with dengue the nurse came in the room I asked her to turn the A/C down, she turned it off and walked out of the room, not long after that some farang manager came to see me and as he was talking to me he asked if I dont like A/C I said I love it but the nurse turned it off, 

Another time my wife was in accident so she was admitted for a couple days in that new part, and I stayed with her overnight, almost opposite my wifes room was a reception area, at 2-30 am in the night the noise was that bad I went out to them asked them to quieten down and took some photo's as evidence, you should have seen the looks I got, I could go on, but we'll leave it at that. 

I have noticed over the years Russians do have a bad attitude towards Thai's 

Could be a bit difficult... pretty hard to educate pigs.

what can you expect from such uneducated people, this is the result of free visa politic, I cannot understand, of this the government is desesperated about the tourism and financial situation.

4 hours ago, rexpotter said:

They are animals, the staff doesn't need sensitivity training, they need tazers. Those scum need to go back where they came from.

How many of those "animals" you know personally? How many were assaulting you? How many were insulting or offending you? 

If I'm right they are humans, same as you. Would you call yourself "animal"?

Can't wait to read your reply

1 minute ago, vivananahuahin said:

expect from such uneducated people, 

How do you know that? 

how can they be asking for something the Russians NEVER had

4 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Wow, really surprising.  People have posted on here how kind, considerate and wonderful the Russians are.

Yeh, that reminds me of member Goat.........😂

Asking a Russian to be respectful and to not be rude is like asking an indigenous Alaskan to not eat fish. It's a bit like asking a Frenchman to demonstrate affection toward an American, or asking a Thai government official to show warmth and hospitality toward an expat living here.