Does Thailand actually have General Practitioner doctors in their hospitals ?

[Pumpuynarak]

As the topic title says..........

 

Do they have ? do they train doctors to become GP's ? What to do/say when you visit a hospital with a health problem ? How do you ensure you are seeing the correct doctor for your complaint ?

 

Your knowledge and experiences would be welcome, thanks in anticipation.

[Sheryl]

Not in the way you mean.  There are doctors here with no specialty training (indeed, probably the majority of doctors). But they are not trained to function as GPs in the way you mean.

 

On a hospital website they will be listed as internal medicine doctors.

 

They are usually not going to function like a family doctor, keeping track of you over time, referring you to specialists as needed and then following up to see what happened etc. Rather they will simply treat you for whatever your immediate complaint is, to the extent that they can. They may or may not refer to a specialist if your problem warrants it.

 

There are some exceptions, but few, and this includes a couple of Western GPs practicing here plus some internal medicine doctors with their own clinics who have adopted this mode of practice, in no small part because they are located in areas with many westerners i.e. they are responding to  a demand.

 

 

[Pumpuynarak]

Thank you for your reply post @Sheryl 

 

I have become disappointed with my experiences here in Korat over the years, i have seen many doctors in private and government hospitals who appear to lack knowledge and experience in dealing with my health complaints not too mention their lack of English speaking and understanding, getting to see the right doctor has become a real challenge.

 

The only time i have felt comfortable is when i was blessed along with many other farangs with an American doctor working in a University government hospital but he moved to another province, good luck to him.

 

Is there an answer to my problem ?

[Dirk Z]

There is a medical center in Hua hin that is exclusively GP primary care. BeWell. 

[Tropicalevo]

Look in local clinics for GP's?

As Sheryl says, it is not a 'trade' that is common in Thailand, but in my experience, the docs in the clinics tend to be more generalised.

However, I guess that in Korat, language skills may be the issue.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Not in the way you mean.  There are doctors here with no specialty training (indeed, probably the majority of doctors). But they are not trained to function as GPs in the way you mean.

 

On a hospital website they will be listed as internal medicine doctors.

 

They are usually not going to function like a family doctor, keeping track of you over time, referring you to specialists as needed and then following up to see what happened etc. Rather they will simply treat you for whatever your immediate complaint is, to the extent that they can. They may or may not refer to a specialist if your problem warrants it.

 

There are some exceptions, but few, and this includes a couple of Western GPs practicing here plus some internal medicine doctors with their own clinics who have adopted this mode of practice, in no small part because they are located in areas with many westerners i.e. they are responding to  a demand.

Thanks Sheryl. Many years ago you recommended Dr Morgan in Chiang Mai as an Expat understanding GP type doctor and she was/is great. Do you know of any Doctor or Clinic in Khon Kaen that has the same 'understanding' or who is a good GP type Doctor/s - my wife is Thai so speaking English is only a bonus. 

[Guderian]

I've found this a problem, too. Often, the specialist you need to see is obvious, like a dermatologist for a skin problem, or an orthopaedic surgeon for a joint issue, but sometimes there can be multiple symptoms that make it difficult for a layman to figure out who to see. In the past, I've sometimes used the Swiss Dr. Olivier in Jomtien to figure out which specialist to see, but that doesn't work if you're not in Pattaya.

 

I had a very good experience in Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya recently, though. I had a lump on the side of my moob which was a little bit tender. I assumed it was a subcutaneous cyst which needed to be cut and drained, I've had them before, so I booked an appointment to see the dermatologist I use here. She took one look and said that it's not a skin issue, I needed to see a surgeon right away, and she sent her nurse to get me an appointment. Twenty minutes later I was with a surgeon who also took one look at it and said it wasn't his area of expertise, I needed to go to the breast centre. Off we went and I soon saw a great doctor there who knew his stuff and spoke very good English. He did a USS but couldn't tell exactly what it was, most probably gynaecomastia but he couldn't rule out cancer. So he did an ultrasound-guided biopsy which was quite pricy, and I got the pathology results a week later - yes, happily it was gynaecomastia.

 

What was interesting was that I was only charged for seeing the breast centre doctor, the dermatologist and surgeon I saw by mistake were free, so well done BHP for not gouging patients. I was also very impressed with the speed, the whole thing done in a matter of two or three hours, family back in the UK reckon it would have taken at 3 to 6 months on the NHS. Even the Thai public healthcare system isn't exactly fast, the GF has taken her grandmother to the local government hospital several times about a lump on her breast for around 2 months now, and she'll be having a biopsy done in a week or so. I've got to say, 10 out of 10 to Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya for the way they looked after me.

[NativeBob]

not at those hospitals I've been at. 

some cute girl at reception will send you to the spec. dr. she sees fit. there are no general practioners.

[Asquith Production]

30 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks Sheryl. Many years ago you recommended Dr Morgan in Chiang Mai as an Expat understanding GP type doctor and she was/is great. Do you know of any Doctor or Clinic in Khon Kaen that has the same 'understanding' or who is a good GP type Doctor/s - my wife is Thai so speaking English is only a bonus. 

I am near you in Mahasarakham and I use Dr Kamolwan Tangworra who does a clinic on Mondays and Thursdays at Mahasarakham Uni hospital. She as worked in London and speaks perfect English.  She is the nearest thing to a GP I have found here. I know she lives in Khon Kaen but not sure if she does a clinic there. Hope this helps. 

[Gianluca99]

I think Be Well in Hua HIn introduced the more European way of primary care. Their GP's went to Europe to train on the model more effectively. There's good reviews coming from there too. Perhaps a model that will be adapted more over the future?

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

I've found this a problem, too. Often, the specialist you need to see is obvious, like a dermatologist for a skin problem, or an orthopaedic surgeon for a joint issue, but sometimes there can be multiple symptoms that make it difficult for a layman to figure out who to see. In the past, I've sometimes used the Swiss Dr. Olivier in Jomtien to figure out which specialist to see, but that doesn't work if you're not in Pattaya.

 

I had a very good experience in Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya recently, though. I had a lump on the side of my moob which was a little bit tender. I assumed it was a subcutaneous cyst which needed to be cut and drained, I've had them before, so I booked an appointment to see the dermatologist I use here. She took one look and said that it's not a skin issue, I needed to see a surgeon right away, and she sent her nurse to get me an appointment. Twenty minutes later I was with a surgeon who also took one look at it and said it wasn't his area of expertise, I needed to go to the breast centre. Off we went and I soon saw a great doctor there who knew his stuff and spoke very good English. He did a USS but couldn't tell exactly what it was, most probably gynaecomastia but he couldn't rule out cancer. So he did an ultrasound-guided biopsy which was quite pricy, and I got the pathology results a week later - yes, happily it was gynaecomastia.

 

What was interesting was that I was only charged for seeing the breast centre doctor, the dermatologist and surgeon I saw by mistake were free, so well done BHP for not gouging patients. I was also very impressed with the speed, the whole thing done in a matter of two or three hours, family back in the UK reckon it would have taken at 3 to 6 months on the NHS. Even the Thai public healthcare system isn't exactly fast, the GF has taken her grandmother to the local government hospital several times about a lump on her breast for around 2 months now, and she'll be having a biopsy done in a week or so. I've got to say, 10 out of 10 to Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya for the way they looked after me.

 

Moob?

[Surasak]

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks Sheryl. Many years ago you recommended Dr Morgan in Chiang Mai as an Expat understanding GP type doctor and she was/is great. Do you know of any Doctor or Clinic in Khon Kaen that has the same 'understanding' or who is a good GP type Doctor/s - my wife is Thai so speaking English is only a bonus. 

You could try Dr Ken, he has a surgery opposite the General hospital, I believe he practised in a major NHS hospital in London, before returning to Thailand. His English is excellent. 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

40 minutes ago, Surasak said:

You could try Dr Ken, he has a surgery opposite the General hospital, I believe he practised in a major NHS hospital in London, before returning to Thailand. His English is excellent. 

Thanks mate - much appreciated.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 hour ago, Surasak said:

You could try Dr Ken, he has a surgery opposite the General hospital, I believe he practised in a major NHS hospital in London, before returning to Thailand. His English is excellent. 

Any chance of a google maps link ? I cannot find anything on google.

[tandor]

5 hours ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Thank you for your reply post @Sheryl 

 

I have become disappointed with my experiences here in Korat over the years, i have seen many doctors in private and government hospitals who appear to lack knowledge and experience in dealing with my health complaints not too mention their lack of English speaking and understanding, getting to see the right doctor has become a real challenge.

 

The only time i have felt comfortable is when i was blessed along with many other farangs with an American doctor working in a University government hospital but he moved to another province, good luck to him.

 

Is there an answer to my problem ?

seek out a Physician at any major hospital.

[Crossy]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Moob?

 

Man-boob 🙂 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

 

Man-boob 🙂 

 

80 years old, yes I have them, thanks. 

[Letseng]

On 8/15/2024 at 7:09 AM, Sheryl said:

Not in the way you mean.  There are doctors here with no specialty training (indeed, probably the majority of doctors). But they are not trained to function as GPs in the way you mean.

 

On a hospital website they will be listed as internal medicine doctors.

 

They are usually not going to function like a family doctor, keeping track of you over time, referring you to specialists as needed and then following up to see what happened etc. Rather they will simply treat you for whatever your immediate complaint is, to the extent that they can. They may or may not refer to a specialist if your problem warrants it.

 

There are some exceptions, but few, and this includes a couple of Western GPs practicing here plus some internal medicine doctors with their own clinics who have adopted this mode of practice, in no small part because they are located in areas with many westerners i.e. they are responding to  a demand.

 

 

Other than a family practitioner @ Mission Hospital I'm not aware of a western doctor working in the Thai healthcare system. 

Ignore Donna Robinson.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

10 minutes ago, Letseng said:

Other than a family practitioner @ Mission Hospital I'm not aware of a western doctor working in the Thai healthcare system. 

Ignore Donna Robinson.

Yes - they all seem to 'specialise' here in Thailand.. There are not many GPs,  like in the West where they are the 'front line' of patient treatment.  In Thailand it is clear that people go straight to a public hospital for everything - because they are basically free for Thais.  

 

Dr Donna is AOK if you know exactly what you want - more of a western clinic than a 'diagnosis centre'.

 

There is a good western GP Doctor in Jomtein - Dr Olivier Meyer - we used him while living in Rayong.

Lots of older men in there are getting 'treatments' - but he is also a very good GP - he can diagnose and test and provide treatment for many things, or refer to a good specialist  https://dr-olivier-clinic.com/

 

And of course Dr Morgan in Chaing Mai.

 

Still looking here in Khon Kaen.  We went to a specialist clinic in the big Uni Hospital this week and it was packed - took almost 2 hours to see the specialist.  Wife pointed out that for the public hospital people are arriving at 5am and waiting for half a day to see a Doctor.  Looks like I might have to find another option - not a private Hospital/Clinic because they charge a fortune for the specialist medication I need prescribed (and only available at Hospitals) 

[Letseng]

8 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Yes - they all seem to 'specialise' here in Thailand.. There are not many GPs,  like in the West where they are the 'front line' of patient treatment.  In Thailand it is clear that people go straight to a public hospital for everything - because they are basically free for Thais.  

 

Dr Donna is AOK if you know exactly what you want - more of a western clinic than a 'diagnosis centre'.

 

There is a good western GP Doctor in Jomtein - Dr Olivier Meyer - we used him while living in Rayong.

Lots of older men in there are getting 'treatments' - but he is also a very good GP - he can diagnose and test and provide treatment for many things, or refer to a good specialist  https://dr-olivier-clinic.com/

 

And of course Dr Morgan in Chaing Mai.

 

Still looking here in Khon Kaen.  We went to a specialist clinic in the big Uni Hospital this week and it was packed - took almost 2 hours to see the specialist.  Wife pointed out that for the public hospital people are arriving at 5am and waiting for half a day to see a Doctor.  Looks like I might have to find another option - not a private Hospital/Clinic because they charge a fortune for the specialist medication I need prescribed (and only available at Hospitals) 

No use to me who is in Rayong or in CM since I live in Bkk. 

[Sheryl]

8 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Yes - they all seem to 'specialise' here in Thailand.. There are not many GPs,  like in the West where they are the 'front line' of patient treatment.  In Thailand it is clear that people go straight to a public hospital for everything - because they are basically free for Thais.  

 

Dr Donna is AOK if you know exactly what you want - more of a western clinic than a 'diagnosis centre'.

 

There is a good western GP Doctor in Jomtein - Dr Olivier Meyer - we used him while living in Rayong.

Lots of older men in there are getting 'treatments' - but he is also a very good GP - he can diagnose and test and provide treatment for many things, or refer to a good specialist  https://dr-olivier-clinic.com/

 

And of course Dr Morgan in Chaing Mai.

 

Still looking here in Khon Kaen.  We went to a specialist clinic in the big Uni Hospital this week and it was packed - took almost 2 hours to see the specialist.  Wife pointed out that for the public hospital people are arriving at 5am and waiting for half a day to see a Doctor.  Looks like I might have to find another option - not a private Hospital/Clinic because they charge a fortune for the specialist medication I need prescribed (and only available at Hospitals) 

@Surasak has given a rec for Kkon Kaen. Likely won't help for specialist meds as you should see a specialist for that anyhow. 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

21 hours ago, Letseng said:

No use to me who is in Rayong or in CM since I live in Bkk. 

Dr Donna is in Bangkok and I commented about her - her clinic is OK IMO.

The rest is for 'general info' to anyone - that is all the GPs I know/found.

It was not all about you.

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

13 hours ago, Sheryl said:

@Surasak has given a rec for Kkon Kaen. Likely won't help for specialist meds as you should see a specialist for that anyhow. 

Thanks Sheryl - I am still looking for Dr Ken or any good GP type Doctor in KK.

All good - I have the meds - It is just that I had to wait 2 hours - but that is better 6+ as the wife said.

I can go to a private hospital like Bangkok Hospital and they will see me in 5 mins  - but I did that once (in Rayong) and they charged me almost 1000 Baht to see the Doc, plus the medications for 30 pills were more expensive than what SMC in KK charges me for 3-4 months (100).  In fact it was twice as much as what RAM in CM charged me some years ago for 3 months.

[Pumpuynarak]

18 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks Sheryl - I am still looking for Dr Ken or any good GP type Doctor in KK.

All good - I have the meds - It is just that I had to wait 2 hours - but that is better 6+ as the wife said.

I can go to a private hospital like Bangkok Hospital and they will see me in 5 mins  - but I did that once (in Rayong) and they charged me almost 1000 Baht to see the Doc, plus the medications for 30 pills were more expensive than what SMC in KK charges me for 3-4 months (100).  In fact it was twice as much as what RAM in CM charged me some years ago for 3 months.

 

I'm finished with Bangkok Hospitals, way too many negatives for me.

[Pumpuynarak]

If anyone can recco an experienced good doc who operates effectively as a GP in Korat i would appreciate, SUT Hospital preferably but St Marys private hospital would be ok.

[orang37]

Yes, Thailand has GPs in hospitals. Just explain your symptoms, and they'll direct you to the right doctor.

[digbeth]

if you have established a relationship with a doctor at a hospital, you can request the same doctor again

[digbeth]

On 8/15/2024 at 7:09 AM, Sheryl said:

...

On a hospital website they will be listed as internal medicine doctors.

...

In Government hospitals you can't see the internal medicine 'MEDs' without referral to the front line doctors, (oft junior residents) 

[brianthainess]

On 8/15/2024 at 7:09 AM, Sheryl said:

Rather they will simply treat you for whatever your immediate complaint is, to the extent that they can. They may or may not refer to a specialist if your problem warrants it.

Never had that problem with a government hospital, first visit is normally a bag full of pills, then told to go back on the day the specialist is there, normally around a week later. I guess you work in a Private Hospital.

[jayboy]

On 8/16/2024 at 1:02 PM, Letseng said:

Ignore Donna Robinson.

Why?