How Good Is Medical Advise In Isaan?

[rockyysdt]

Do Isaan residents have access to quality General Practioners?

My girlfriend and I recently made a pilgrimage to the family home deep in Isaan territory, partly due to her mothers recent illness.

In her late fifties, we found the mother had lost weight, was quite listless, and lacked any kind of energy.

She had been lying around or sleeping most of the time and was unable to carry out normal domestic duties.

She wasn't able to articulate her illness to us, and thoughts of heart disease ran through our minds.

To our alarm, a GP she had visited in Wanon Niwat, two weeks earlier, had prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline, & 5mg Diazapam.

I learned that these drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from depression and or schizophrenia.

After much prompting we eventually took her to a clinic in Phang Khon where the GP appeared to know immediately what to look for.

Using ultrasound equipment he was able to confirm that she was suffering from scirrosis of the liver, a disease primarily caused by alcohol abuse. He articulated the illness to the patient in thai, advised her which foods to avoid and prescribed appropriate medication.

I showed the GP the womans previous prescribed medicine which he confirmed was used for mental illness, but was inapproriate in this case.

I left the clinic in shock, pondering on the damage the previous Doctor appeared to have caused.

• Failure to diagnose an illness which continued to go untreated.
  
• Prescription of psychotic drugs for a mentally healthy person.
  
• Exposing the family to unnecessary expense.
  
• Physically incapacitating a patient for over two weeks.
  
• Causing much stress and anguish to the patient and family.
  

Within a day or two of discarding the psychotic drugs, the mother was up and about, attending to her domestic life as usual.

Am I wrong in thinking that the level of medical care appeared not to be up to standard?

How do you find the quality of medical care in this part of the world?

[Krub]

Do Isaan residents have access to quality General Practioners?

My girlfriend and I recently made a pilgrimage to the family home deep in Isaan territory, partly due to her mothers recent illness.

In her late fifties, we found the mother had lost weight, was quite listless, and lacked any kind of energy.

She had been lying around or sleeping most of the time and was unable to carry out normal domestic duties.

She wasn't able to articulate her illness to us, and thoughts of heart disease ran through our minds.

To our alarm, a GP she had visited in Wanon Niwat, two weeks earlier, had prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline, & 5mg Diazapam.

I learned that these drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from depression and or schizophrenia.

After much prompting we eventually took her to a clinic in Phang Khon where the GP appeared to know immediately what to look for.

Using ultrasound equipment he was able to confirm that she was suffering from scirrosis of the liver, a disease primarily caused by alcohol abuse. He articulated the illness to the patient in thai, advised her which foods to avoid and prescribed appropriate medication.

I showed the GP the womans previous prescribed medicine which he confirmed was used for mental illness, but was inapproriate in this case.

I left the clinic in shock, pondering on the damage the previous Doctor appeared to have caused.

• Failure to diagnose an illness which continued to go untreated.
  
• Prescription of psychotic drugs for a mentally healthy person.
  
• Exposing the family to unnecessary expense.
  
• Physically incapacitating a patient for over two weeks.
  
• Causing much stress and anguish to the patient and family.
  

Within a day or two of discarding the psychotic drugs, the mother was up and about, attending to her domestic life as usual.

Am I wrong in thinking that the level of medical care appeared not to be up to standard?

How do you find the quality of medical care in this part of the world?

You find bad GPs everywhere and not only in Thailand !

[feffejonsson]

In my experience you should go and see at least two different doctors. If they don´t come to the same conclusion you´ll have to see a third one. If you still don´t get any better you should head for a private hospital in a big city i.e Korat, Bangkok, Udon or any of the larger tourist areas. Many of the doctors in the small towns or villages, eventhough some of them are really good, are not up to date with modern medicin or medical proceedures.

[rockyysdt]

If you still don´t get any better you should head for a private hospital in a big city i.e Korat, Bangkok, Udon or any of the larger tourist areas.

Where I come from many Public Hospitals have leading edge knowledge and through their specialist clinics excel compared to privare practices.

Isn't the public hospital system up to scratch in Thailand?

[bergen]

If you still don´t get any better you should head for a private hospital in a big city i.e Korat, Bangkok, Udon or any of the larger tourist areas.

Where I come from many Public Hospitals have leading edge knowledge and through their specialist clinics excel compared to privare practices.

Isn't the public hospital system up to scratch in Thailand?

I would say no! - and the salary is not high, so that's why many of the doctors & dentists also works in privat clinics.

Btw. When I got the health certificate for my driving licence last year, the nurses checked height, weight, and blood pressure. When in the doctor's office he asked if i felt ok, and I said no.

He then looked at me and said ......Oh you joking too much, - and signed the certificate.

[dkstoney]

I got my health certificate after I told the nurse I was healthy and gave her 25 baht.

I had came in to the private hospital in Surin with upper respiratory infection and the doctor came walking up. "Oh! You have STD!" No analysis, just walked up and said it. "Farang come all time and have STD. You have no discharge from tip of penis?" I said, "No, Wanna see? I'll slap you in the face with it." And then after her accusing me of having a girlfriend in front of my wife and daughter proceeds to tell me about her husband contracting herpes because he was a butterfly. A week later I was back with emphysema and a male doctor there took x-rays, gave me the proper medications to get me to breathe and fight the infection (lung), and sent me on my way.

Other than that, simply flawless practitioners of advanced medical science.

[johnsurin]

The wife's friends mother went to hospital and they told her she had mareng (cancer). They were spot on, she's just died, have bonfire tomorrow. You can't getter than that.

[Thai at Heart]

Do Isaan residents have access to quality General Practioners?

My girlfriend and I recently made a pilgrimage to the family home deep in Isaan territory, partly due to her mothers recent illness.

In her late fifties, we found the mother had lost weight, was quite listless, and lacked any kind of energy.

She had been lying around or sleeping most of the time and was unable to carry out normal domestic duties.

She wasn't able to articulate her illness to us, and thoughts of heart disease ran through our minds.

To our alarm, a GP she had visited in Wanon Niwat, two weeks earlier, had prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline, & 5mg Diazapam.

I learned that these drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from depression and or schizophrenia.

After much prompting we eventually took her to a clinic in Phang Khon where the GP appeared to know immediately what to look for.

Using ultrasound equipment he was able to confirm that she was suffering from scirrosis of the liver, a disease primarily caused by alcohol abuse. He articulated the illness to the patient in thai, advised her which foods to avoid and prescribed appropriate medication.

I showed the GP the womans previous prescribed medicine which he confirmed was used for mental illness, but was inapproriate in this case.

I left the clinic in shock, pondering on the damage the previous Doctor appeared to have caused.

• Failure to diagnose an illness which continued to go untreated.
  
• Prescription of psychotic drugs for a mentally healthy person.
  
• Exposing the family to unnecessary expense.
  
• Physically incapacitating a patient for over two weeks.
  
• Causing much stress and anguish to the patient and family.
  

Within a day or two of discarding the psychotic drugs, the mother was up and about, attending to her domestic life as usual.

Am I wrong in thinking that the level of medical care appeared not to be up to standard?

How do you find the quality of medical care in this part of the world?

Had gallstones diagnosed as HEP C. If in doubt get a second opinion.

[livingthedream]

My wife goes to the clinic every time she sneezes...has Kai Wat and always comes home with several bags of pills at a cost of a few hundred baht. I can't help feeling that the Docs are making a good living selling paracetamol / placebo's dressed up as miracle cures for common cold. I tell her it will take its course and go away in good time, a hot water bottle, sweat it out etc.. but what do I know I've had more colds than shes had hot dinners

[bergen]

My wife goes to the clinic every time she sneezes...has Kai Wat and always comes home with several bags of pills at a cost of a few hundred baht. I can't help feeling that the Docs are making a good living selling paracetamol / placebo's dressed up as miracle cures for common cold. I tell her it will take its course and go away in good time, a hot water bottle, sweat it out etc.. but what do I know I've had more colds than shes had hot dinners

Maybe the cures work then?

[rgs2001uk]

Do Isaan residents have access to quality General Practioners?

My girlfriend and I recently made a pilgrimage to the family home deep in Isaan territory, partly due to her mothers recent illness.

In her late fifties, we found the mother had lost weight, was quite listless, and lacked any kind of energy.

She had been lying around or sleeping most of the time and was unable to carry out normal domestic duties.

She wasn't able to articulate her illness to us, and thoughts of heart disease ran through our minds.

To our alarm, a GP she had visited in Wanon Niwat, two weeks earlier, had prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline, & 5mg Diazapam.

I learned that these drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from depression and or schizophrenia.

After much prompting we eventually took her to a clinic in Phang Khon where the GP appeared to know immediately what to look for.

Using ultrasound equipment he was able to confirm that she was suffering from scirrosis of the liver, a disease primarily caused by alcohol abuse. He articulated the illness to the patient in thai, advised her which foods to avoid and prescribed appropriate medication.

I showed the GP the womans previous prescribed medicine which he confirmed was used for mental illness, but was inapproriate in this case.

I left the clinic in shock, pondering on the damage the previous Doctor appeared to have caused.

• Failure to diagnose an illness which continued to go untreated.
  
• Prescription of psychotic drugs for a mentally healthy person.
  
• Exposing the family to unnecessary expense.
  
• Physically incapacitating a patient for over two weeks.
  
• Causing much stress and anguish to the patient and family.
  

Within a day or two of discarding the psychotic drugs, the mother was up and about, attending to her domestic life as usual.

Am I wrong in thinking that the level of medical care appeared not to be up to standard?

How do you find the quality of medical care in this part of the world?

you have just described half the male population of thailand, so dont worry its not peculiar to your area.

many farangs are also wondering the same, where can they find quality vetinary care, there seem to be so many sick buffalo, and no one to take care of them

[damocletian]

After 2 years in Thailand I developed a strange rash on the back of my shoulders comprising well defined but miniscule white circles in marked contrast to my otherwise bronzed hue.

I attended Phya Thai 2 Hospital in Bangkok and saw their skin consultant who concluded, after some bemused moments of intense examination in collaboration with her nurse and my wife, that I had developed " frenkles ". In my vanity I had previously endured a back waxing to remove unwanted hair and this was adjudged to be the trigger event. I apparently was stuck with them and told not to worry.

I was dubious. On a return to the UK I consulted my GP who immediately diagnosed Pityriasis versicolor, a rash provoked by a yeast borne fungus.It is apparently quite common in the tropics and is triggered by excessive sweating and overproduction of sebum oil. It is quite harmless but requires treatment in the form of a daily application of ketocanozole ( sp? ) found in many anti dandruff shampoos. This killed the fungal infection immediately and the spots disappeared after a few months when the skin renewed itself.

That a skin specialist in a recognised international standard hospital should mis diagnose my condition mistaking it for freckles perhaps gives you an insight into what the medical profession is capable of in Thailand.

[plachon]

Do Isaan residents have access to quality General Practioners?

My girlfriend and I recently made a pilgrimage to the family home deep in Isaan territory, partly due to her mothers recent illness.

In her late fifties, we found the mother had lost weight, was quite listless, and lacked any kind of energy.

She had been lying around or sleeping most of the time and was unable to carry out normal domestic duties.

She wasn't able to articulate her illness to us, and thoughts of heart disease ran through our minds.

To our alarm, a GP she had visited in Wanon Niwat, two weeks earlier, had prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline, & 5mg Diazapam.

I learned that these drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from depression and or schizophrenia.

After much prompting we eventually took her to a clinic in Phang Khon where the GP appeared to know immediately what to look for.

Using ultrasound equipment he was able to confirm that she was suffering from scirrosis of the liver, a disease primarily caused by alcohol abuse. He articulated the illness to the patient in thai, advised her which foods to avoid and prescribed appropriate medication.

I showed the GP the womans previous prescribed medicine which he confirmed was used for mental illness, but was inapproriate in this case.

I left the clinic in shock, pondering on the damage the previous Doctor appeared to have caused.

• Failure to diagnose an illness which continued to go untreated.
  
• Prescription of psychotic drugs for a mentally healthy person.
  
• Exposing the family to unnecessary expense.
  
• Physically incapacitating a patient for over two weeks.
  
• Causing much stress and anguish to the patient and family.
  

Within a day or two of discarding the psychotic drugs, the mother was up and about, attending to her domestic life as usual.

Am I wrong in thinking that the level of medical care appeared not to be up to standard?

How do you find the quality of medical care in this part of the world?

I am afraid what you describe is quite commonplace and not out the ordinary. I've had similar experiences with my in-laws and seen with various other aquaintances over the years. One of the basic problems is there are no medical records kept on patients and for most doctors in clinics and private hospitals, their primary care is to do a brief on the spot diagnosis (in some cases even guessing you have an STD on the basis you're a farang it seems!) and then getting you out the room asap for the next patient. Oh yes, then there is the obligatory 5 medicine take home bag, for which you will be charged 4 times more than the same cocktail from a regular pharmacy. So, prescribing happy drugs for an unhappy and listless-looking patient to perk her up a bit, is as normal as prescribing anti-biotics for a bone fracture or common cold. The doctors are a law unto themselves in most cases, and unlikely to be ever sued for malpractice by the millions of poor rural folk who traipse through their clinics looking for a quick fix to their malaise. What Thai society should be asking itself was why aren't these people getting "all diseases cured for 30 baht" as their hero Thaksin promised?

That was one of the biggest con-tricks played on the long suffering poor of Thailand ever, and the irony is, they never called his bluff but lapped up his sweet-talk and million this and that projects like a bunch of drugged lab-rats. Which, when you see what your mother-in-law was prescribed, may not be far off the truth!

[plachon]

Oh yes, and just try asking most of these doctors a question - most of them look like you just insulted their intelligence and if you're Thai will often get shirty with you. My wife has been more or less told to get out of some surgeries when she tried to get advice and information, as opposed to doing as she was told and buying the 5 drug cocktail at inflated price. Often the best places to go for more impartial advice and expert opinion are the University hospitals in Khon Kaen, Ubon and Khorat, but expect BIG crowds and queues. You'll also witness just about every illness under the sun traipsing through on a normal day. But the docs mostly know what they're talking about and don't try to rip you off. There's some of the top specialists in Thailand working at KKU's Srinakarin Hospital.

[bergen]

Oh yes, and just try asking most of these doctors a question - most of them look like you just insulted their intelligence and if you're Thai will often get shirty with you. My wife has been more or less told to get out of some surgeries when she tried to get advice and information, as opposed to doing as she was told and buying the 5 drug cocktail at inflated price. Often the best places to go for more impartial advice and expert opinion are the University hospitals in Khon Kaen, Ubon and Khorat, but expect BIG crowds and queues. You'll also witness just about every illness under the sun traipsing through on a normal day. But the docs mostly know what they're talking about and don't try to rip you off. There's some of the top specialists in Thailand working at KKU's Srinakarin Hospital.

Do they work in privat sector as well?

[pumpuiman]

My father in law suffered more than a decade of pain.My wife told me that the doctor said nothing could be done. I finally insisted he go to Bangkok for a full battery of tests.

He had gout.

Go see the Isaan doctor for stitches, but for anything requiring diagnoses.....head to Bangkok.

[bergen]

My father in law suffered more than a decade of pain.My wife told me that the doctor said nothing could be done. I finally insisted he go to Bangkok for a full battery of tests.

He had gout.

Go see the Isaan doctor for stitches, but for anything requiring diagnoses.....head to Bangkok.

I had a terrible lightning like pain in my neck one day and could'nt drive, so my brother in law took me to a privat hospital in Ubon. The doc took a look at my neck which had a rash, and said you have an infection on your nerve system. (whish seemed plausible to me)

He subscribed 3 different coulored pills to me and it all went away in a day!

Maybe I'm not that lucky next time................but one can hope

[blue eyes]

you have just described half the male population of thailand, so dont worry its not peculiar to your area.

many farangs are also wondering the same, where can they find quality vetinary care, there seem to be so many sick buffalo, and no one to take care of them

Your post is not funny and it is spelled veterinary.

[Lickey]

Last year i got this tearing pain in mid-abdomen, i was violently sick and diorhea for an hour or so, i slept for an hour, on waking, more sickness, mrs took me to village hospital on her Motorbike, they gave me 2 steroid injections and said go to bed, all ok in the morning, 2am and i was still creased over, BIL took me to Udon {100k dash on the best roads in Thai] in 45 mins, private hospital, ultra sound and exrays revealed a kidney stone had moved along the passage to the bladder, 4 days i was there, and the mrs, sleeping on the sofa, she ate all the meals, i was in limbo with the painkillers ect and slept most of the time, nice room, air-con fridge tv balcony, en-suite shower ect, loads of pretty nurses, all the drugs,x-rays,USound food ect, 32000bht.

So 2nd and 3rd opinions are sometimes an option, depends on the pain threshold really.

[plachon]

Oh yes, and just try asking most of these doctors a question - most of them look like you just insulted their intelligence and if you're Thai will often get shirty with you. My wife has been more or less told to get out of some surgeries when she tried to get advice and information, as opposed to doing as she was told and buying the 5 drug cocktail at inflated price. Often the best places to go for more impartial advice and expert opinion are the University hospitals in Khon Kaen, Ubon and Khorat, but expect BIG crowds and queues. You'll also witness just about every illness under the sun traipsing through on a normal day. But the docs mostly know what they're talking about and don't try to rip you off. There's some of the top specialists in Thailand working at KKU's Srinakarin Hospital.

Do they work in privat sector as well?

Most Thai docs seem to have a private clinic somewhere or other, or moonlight in a private hospital when they're not on duty at the state one. Frankly I don't know when some of them eat or sleep, as they seem to work all hours, which may be another factor in the prevalence of mis-diagnoses and mis-treatments - the doc is knackered and hasn't slept for the last 3 days on the trot!

Having said that, the lack of protocol and fuss is a blessing sometimes, compared to the six month waiting lists for a simple appointment with a specialist of the great British NHS. To give an example, I had a painful plantar wart on my foot one time. Went to a private hospital where I had an appt to see a doc., but they must have forgotten and the doc on duty was a poof and didn't want to operate (think he was frightened at the sight of blood). So I hopped on my bike and went to a nearby clinic and ten minutes later was on the operating table with another doc sticking a bloody great needle in the sole of my foot. Jeeeezus! Bugger me did that jab hurt, but after that I didn't feel a thing as he cut round the wart and removed it. Another 15 mins it was all stitched up and dressed. Hobbled round for a while and a week later the stitches were removed and the wart was gone for ever.

In UK, you would not be able to get that op done on the NHS and they would faff around with non-invasive techniques like wart ointment and filing it away over months in which time you may get lazy and it comes back or it pops up somewhere else. The Thai technique is far more direct and quick, achieving a better result imo for a fraction the cost to everyone. I think it cost me about 700 baht to get the wart removed - a tenner with no hassle and no appointment necessary - you can't say fairer than that. all the same, if it was a serious illness I'd rather be in the hands of a UK doctor and the long waiting lists of the NHS!

[Krub]

Last year I had a good experience at a local state hospital as per below thread

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...8&hl=dengue

I am sure that in any country, the level of care is different in big cities than in the villages, Thailand is no different.

I for one am very happy with the fact that medical care is readily available for very reasonable cost in Thailand without too much red tape, waiting lists, etc.

[Issangeorge]

A couple of years ago my wife found out she had a cyst on her ovary, they gave us a copy of the ultrasound, we were going back to Canada the next week so decided to have it treated there. We went to our family doctor and she looked at the ultrasound and said don't worry about it those cysts come and go. Okay fine. A year later we were in Thailand and my wife was not feeling very well so we went to the hospital and found out the cyst had doubled in size and should be removed, again we were just on our way back to Canada so I asked my wife if she wanted the operation done there or in Thailand? She picked Thailand, we went to the Police Hospital in Bangkok which we were told was the best place for that kind of thing, but they suggested my wife have the operation in her local hospital, which we did. The operation went very well, great service and the only cost was 30 baht plus 2,400 baht for 4 days in a nice private room with a day bed that our niece slept on to be with my wife at night. Even with Canada's free health care and my extra insurance for semi-private room (not private room) the cost would have been more than that and the room not nearly as nice.

[Dave the Dude]

Iv had 2 ops in the private hospital here in Surin and on both occasions, I believe I recieved very good care in clean and modern surroundings ( unlike the filthy infested British NHS hospitals). No waiting around for tests/rooms/beds, just quick efficient quality health care. One Op cost less than 10% of what I was quoted in the UK.

Dave

[thetravellingcat]

My wife goes to the clinic every time she sneezes...has Kai Wat and always comes home with several bags of pills at a cost of a few hundred baht. I can't help feeling that the Docs are making a good living selling paracetamol / placebo's dressed up as miracle cures for common cold. I tell her it will take its course and go away in good time, a hot water bottle, sweat it out etc.. but what do I know I've had more colds than shes had hot dinners

If you have a cold before you sleep cut up a small to medium sized onion into quarters and put it on your bedside table. the onion will boost your immune system and you should be suffereing less of the symptoms in the morning!

[thetravellingcat]

...and the doctor came walking up. "Oh! You have STD!" No analysis, just walked up and said it. "Farang come all time and have STD. You have no discharge from tip of penis?" I said, "No, Wanna see? I'll slap you in the face with it."

Funny story! Certainly made me Laugh Out Loud!

[marshbags]

AEK Udon and the Wattana in Udonthani have both been o.k. when i have used them, no complaints.

AS some are comparing the NHS to what is available in Isaan, i,d like the right ot reply.

How anyone who really knows the U.K. N. Health system can compare it to the Thai one is a mystery to me.

Sure it has it,s faults, but, it is after all a large intsitution with many patients to take care of ( free of charge, i mighjt add. )

Even the French admire it and that says lots about the standards.

If your illness is life threatening you are usually prioritised and get urgent attention accordingly.

If it isn,t you have to wait for your turn to be seen to.

When you consider the demands of not only established citizens, but those of all and sundry who are allowed to get treatment within the U.K.what else can be expected. ( not a criticism but a hard fact by the way )

Be reasonable, those who are forever knocking it, and i don,t mean just those on this thread, and look at the big picture, it is not a bottomless well and you might like to consider this when making cynical comments.

Seems to me it is the fashionable thing to do out here in Thailand.

Let us see, the majority of U.K. citizens living out here have spent the majority of their lives depending on the institutions back home and being thankful, now all of a sudden there is memory loss and all of a sudden the benefits we have all experienced were non existent or pathetic in their provisions of many years.

The thread is about medical advise in Isaan

The Forum is about Thailand and while it helps to make comparisons as and when they assist T.Visa members, to make derogatory statements that have no bearing on the debates are and uncalled for.

Indeed you could split airs on my observations re O.T. but if you knock it, then i and anyone else has the right to defend it.

That is, after all, fair play in debate

IMHO as always.

marshbags

[Neeranam]

...and the doctor came walking up. "Oh! You have STD!" No analysis, just walked up and said it. "Farang come all time and have STD. You have no discharge from tip of penis?" I said, "No, Wanna see? I'll slap you in the face with it."

Funny story! Certainly made me Laugh Out Loud!

If it had happened to me, I cerainly wouldn't be laughing, neither would the GP after he got an earful.

I had one daughter born in a govt hospital in Isaarn - one was born in Bamrungrad in BKK.

The Isarn one was 10 times better than the international one plus they didn't rip us off. Also never had to get my influenual friend to visit the doc to ensure 'good' treatment.

Generally, because of the hatred of farang, the service is bad, unless you have kids.

[rockyysdt]

Do Isaan residents have access to quality General Practioners?

My girlfriend and I recently made a pilgrimage to the family home deep in Isaan territory, partly due to her mothers recent illness.

In her late fifties, we found the mother had lost weight, was quite listless, and lacked any kind of energy.

She had been lying around or sleeping most of the time and was unable to carry out normal domestic duties.

To our alarm, a GP she had visited in Wanon Niwat, two weeks earlier, had prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline, & 5mg Diazapam.

I learned that these drugs are prescribed to patients suffering from depression and or schizophrenia.

After much prompting we eventually took her to a clinic in Phang Khon where the GP appeared to know immediately what to look for.

Using ultrasound equipment he was able to confirm that she was suffering from scirrosis of the liver, a disease primarily caused by alcohol abuse. He articulated the illness to the patient in thai, advised her which foods to avoid and prescribed appropriate medication.

I showed the GP the womans previous prescribed medicine which he confirmed was used for mental illness, but was inapproriate in this case.

I left the clinic in shock, pondering on the damage the previous Doctor appeared to have caused.

• Failure to diagnose an illness which continued to go untreated.
  
• Prescription of psychotic drugs for a mentally healthy person.
  
• Exposing the family to unnecessary expense.
  
• Physically incapacitating a patient for over two weeks.
  
• Causing much stress and anguish to the patient and family.
  

Within a day or two of discarding the psychotic drugs, the mother was up and about, attending to her domestic life as usual.

Am I wrong in thinking that the level of medical care appeared not to be up to standard?

How do you find the quality of medical care in this part of the world?

It seems even the second opinion turned out to be incorrect.

The woman presented to her GP 14 weeks ago with digestive symptoms and feeling unwell, and was prescribed psychotic drugs suitable for scizophrenics or depressants.

Listless and prostrate, we convinced her to visit a second GP 8 weeks ago who decided she had liver scirrosis after looking at her with a cat scan.

He prescribed medication to improve digestion and advised her to limit salt intake.

This woman has now been rushed to the Khon Kaen hospital and is in the ICU clinging to life.

She has advanced liver cancer and it appears it's too late to help her.

Where I come from, doctors use blood pathology and biopsy in order to reach a diagnosis.

In our experience, it seems that Thai doctors (GP's) guess what your condition is and end up playing with your life.

Had these GP's performed their duty this woman may have had a chance at recovery.

Without correct diagnosis these GP's squandered her chances.

I wonder if there's legal recourse?

Not for punishment, but in order to alert medical providers of their obligations.