Siko In Thailand

[thaigene2]

I think Michael Moore is a waste of air and a poor excuse for a human being. His "WORK", is self serving to make himself wealthy. Back on topic, there are good doctors and bad doctors. Thailand has both and so does every other country. The US is has a major lawyer problem that has driven the cost of care totally out of sight.

I haven't seen his latest film Siko but most of the other ones were right on in my view - and so sorely needed in a country (that similar to Thailand actually) doesn't like to think it ever does anything wrong - and desparately needs to be told, if for no other reason that to wake them all up!

Anyway, I didn't like the way he treated Heston - given the guy had Alzheimer's disease - seemed a cheap shot (pardon the pun). Butb that's the only thing I haven't liked about the guy or his films.

The US needs a Canadian health care system, but it doesn't give a shit about most of its inhabitants and so there you go! So much for One nation indivisable under God or whatever and all the other crap..Bullshit.

[Huey]

I think Michael Moore is a waste of air and a poor excuse for a human being. His "WORK", is self serving to make himself wealthy. Back on topic, there are good doctors and bad doctors. Thailand has both and so does every other country. The US is has a major lawyer problem that has driven the cost of care totally out of sight.

I haven't seen his latest film Siko but most of the other ones were right on in my view - and so sorely needed in a country (that similar to Thailand actually) doesn't like to think it ever does anything wrong - and desparately needs to be told, if for no other reason that to wake them all up!

Anyway, I didn't like the way he treated Heston - given the guy had Alzheimer's disease - seemed a cheap shot (pardon the pun). Butb that's the only thing I haven't liked about the guy or his films.

The US needs a Canadian health care system, but it doesn't give a shit about most of its inhabitants and so there you go! So much for One nation indivisable under God or whatever and all the other crap..Bullshit.

I agree about the Heston comment that was dead wrong of him, our 2nd Amendment rights are one of the things we do right. And all that about indivisible is a goal not a reality, and the under god part should be left out entirely..under which God? What about The Goddess??? Separation of Church and State would be nice....

[Prakanong]

I think Michael Moore is a waste of air and a poor excuse for a human being. His "WORK", is self serving to make himself wealthy. Back on topic, there are good doctors and bad doctors. Thailand has both and so does every other country. The US is has a major lawyer problem that has driven the cost of care totally out of sight.

What ever you think of our Patriots, the fact of the matter is I believe our citizens deserve better, at least on par with what British or French citizens receive, don't you think we are entitled to that as US Citizens? I mean really, look at the cost of medicines, here. Yes people here make less money but the reason the drugs are cheaper is because they are generics, banned in the US because big Pharms paid off our politicians to keep generics largely out of the market place. How many people, US citizens, would be alive today if they could have afforded the drugs they needed as opposed to just putting it off until it was too late because they couldn't afford the designer drugs they push in the States?

Generics are not banned at all in the USA - if a drug is off patent then generics can be made and sold as they are by the millions each day

I agree it is a free market in the USA for drug costs so big pharma (for who I work) charges what it thinks the market will bear in the free market. Most other countries limit the costs big pharma can charge and have systems in place like NICE in the UK to evaluate the cost benefits and health economics of drugs - ask your politicians to do the same.

Direct to Consumer marketing is also another area where you should write to Barack about - as pharma can market to the end user in the USa unlike most other countries it is also a contributing factor in the demand for named drugs and not generics.

The USA needs a new model of healthcare - using the bogeyman of big pharma is just letting those really responsible off the hook.

[mommysboy]

It's difficult to compare like for like. Even a walk in social welfare hospital in UK probably compares with a medium price Thai hospital.

Obviously communication is important, and one is left feelin uninformed in Thailand, right down to frquency of medication.

Is it fair to say, they just don't get things right out here.

Mom labels everything even sewing tags in to my socks. I feel neglected in hospitals.

[harleyclarkey]

Thank God I haven't needed serious stuff here...and long may that continue But I reckon I'd be happy enough to go to one of the good/private hospitals.

I have had excellent dentistry work done and rate is as good as if not better than my country....Ireland. I now go soley to my guy in Phuket and he is 30-40% of home costs.

Now what about that face lift I promised myself?????

[scotwumman]

Harley Is he called "Siam Smile". If so fifty percent less thank uk prices. I missed out last year as my particular dentistry needs made it necessary to stay seven days in Phuket and I only had two. Fair play to him he did not push it. Just said wait until you will be here in Phuket for seven days.

Refreshing

[Huey]

I think Michael Moore is a waste of air and a poor excuse for a human being. His "WORK", is self serving to make himself wealthy. Back on topic, there are good doctors and bad doctors. Thailand has both and so does every other country. The US is has a major lawyer problem that has driven the cost of care totally out of sight.

What ever you think of our Patriots, the fact of the matter is I believe our citizens deserve better, at least on par with what British or French citizens receive, don't you think we are entitled to that as US Citizens? I mean really, look at the cost of medicines, here. Yes people here make less money but the reason the drugs are cheaper is because they are generics, banned in the US because big Pharms paid off our politicians to keep generics largely out of the market place. How many people, US citizens, would be alive today if they could have afforded the drugs they needed as opposed to just putting it off until it was too late because they couldn't afford the designer drugs they push in the States?

Generics are not banned at all in the USA - if a drug is off patent then generics can be made and sold as they are by the millions each day

I agree it is a free market in the USA for drug costs so big pharma (for who I work) charges what it thinks the market will bear in the free market. Most other countries limit the costs big pharma can charge and have systems in place like NICE in the UK to evaluate the cost benefits and health economics of drugs - ask your politicians to do the same.

Direct to Consumer marketing is also another area where you should write to Barack about - as pharma can market to the end user in the USa unlike most other countries it is also a contributing factor in the demand for named drugs and not generics.

The USA needs a new model of healthcare - using the bogeyman of big pharma is just letting those really responsible off the hook.

I have worked for scum too before in my life, its not something I am proud of but I did what I needed to to survive. Lets be realistic, it doesn't matter who I write too, unless I include a CHECK, like Pharm Lobbyists do Its not going to mean much, big pharm and HMO's are evil and userous. HMO's with the goal to NOT treat as many people as possible (how fundamentally F'ed up is that?). And Big pharm in the Business to treat the Symptoms (hence more long term customers) than to actually create cures. And you know this, rationalize your aid to these heartless bastards anyway you need too but your not fooling anyone as to where the blame for their treachery lies.

Simply put I believe Americans, with the our work ethic, the taxes we endure, and by virtue of having the worlds largest economy, we deserve better much better, but so long as companies like yours are aloud to have a part in the political process our people will die so they such companies can prosper.

Edited June 9, 2008 by Huey

[dave111223]

The equipment and facilities may not be as modern and hi-tech as in the west, but there are several reasons that i voted for Thailand:

- #1 Reason the attitude of the staff!!! 1000X better than at home, in my experience here the nurses have alway been fantastic, always super friendly, caring, almost "mothering". Which when you are sick in some ways is just want you need (compared to some rude, overweight, short-tempered b*tch back home, who seems to treat you like an injured rat at best)

- The price; if you are on a really tight budge you can go to the public hospital for next to nothing for basic treatment, but you can pay a bit more for top notch service at a private hospital, which is still a faction of the cost in the US.

It seems to be a good mix, it's not free healthcare (like in the UK where people abuse it), but it is affordable unlike the US.

- One thing i dislike here is they seem to prescribe pills like jelly beans, which from what i've heard only makes the pills less effective in the future should you be seriously ill.

[harleyclarkey]

Harley Is he called "Siam Smile". If so fifty percent less thank uk prices. I missed out last year as my particular dentistry needs made it necessary to stay seven days in Phuket and I only had two. Fair play to him he did not push it. Just said wait until you will be here in Phuket for seven days.

Refreshing

Hello fellow Celt!?

My guy is excellent...... talk about being fair. I went to him for what I thought was going to be a crown and an implant at a cost of about 65-70,000 Baht. He ended up charging me 16,000 Baht for a new crown (no implant) and replacing my crown that fell out. He explained these will PROBABLY work and if not we still have plan B before the implnat.

Take the road up the side of Bangkok Hospital (left of main entrance) about 300 metres and the clinic (smart stand alone building) on the right. Khun Suwrawat.

Keep smiling!

[samran]

I have worked for scum too before in my life, its not something I am proud of but I did what I needed to to survive. Lets be realistic, it doesn't matter who I write too, unless I include a CHECK, like Pharm Lobbyists do Its not going to mean much, big pharm and HMO's are evil and userous. HMO's with the goal to NOT treat as many people as possible (how fundamentally F'ed up is that?). And Big pharm in the Business to treat the Symptoms (hence more long term customers) than to actually create cures. And you know this, rationalize your aid to these heartless bastards anyway you need too but your not fooling anyone as to where the blame for their treachery lies.

Simply put I believe Americans, with the our work ethic, the taxes we endure, and by virtue of having the worlds largest economy, we deserve better much better, but so long as companies like yours are aloud to have a part in the political process our people will die so they such companies can prosper.

To be fair, big Pharma work quite well and profitably with the other 25 or so first world nations who have free or highly subsidised heath systems. Govenrment realise that they can only get the medicines to the people if there is someone to innovate, develop and the produce them. There is a high cost, and governments for the most part are happy to pay that cost.

The governments in the rest of the world basically buy in bulk from big pharam, which is one way in bringing down cost. They then pass those drugs on to patients at either a free, or highly discounted rate.

Where the system breaks down in the US is that the insurance providers have such a huge grip on system that to even talk about government intervention means that they would likely go out of business, given the fact that the larger you are in the medical insurance business, the more efficient you are in terms of less overheads etc.

[Prakanong]

"To be fair, big Pharma work quite well and profitably with the other 25 or so first world nations who have free or highly subsidised heath systems. Govenrment realise that they can only get the medicines to the people if there is someone to innovate, develop and the produce them. There is a high cost, and governments for the most part are happy to pay that cost. "

Different govt's pay different prices as you allude to. Greece has the cheapest drugs in Europe while others pay more.

In the USA its a total free market - pharma charges what the market will stand - it would be doing great wrong to its shareholders not to maximise its profits. Its up to the USA to change its pricing model or stop the whinging.

There will be a sea change in how drugs are priced, sold and costed over the next few years. Cost benefit analysis, shared expenses, more PPP (Public Private Partnerships), more NGO's such as GAVI and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be buying drugs.

The selling model will change too and it will not be the medical rep sitting in the Dr's office for 3 hours for 90 seconds of the Dr's times any more - it will be larger buyers as in the govt in most countries and HMO's etc in the USA - the USa need to look at changing its model if it does not like it - there is a vote in November.

As for Big Pharma and cures - some diseases will not be cured by drugs and will need symptoms treated ie diabetes, hypertension etc. There are some diseases where cure is possible and they are worked on. A Dr sitting not 12 feet for me is workiong on a cancer trial right now whose end point is cure and not life extension

[elkangorito]

I am not completely happy with Thai health care.

Upon my initial visit to this country, I had something wrong with me (I knew what was wrong) & went to the local hospital, which at that time, was in Klaeng (near Rayong).

The person who was supposed to be a doctor was not as such. She was perhaps an intern or a nurse. I'm still not quite sure. Nonetheless, she had no idea about anything.

Since the 'Klaeng' result was unsatisfactory (they dished out antibiotics like lollies), I went to a hospital in Mattaput. The result was satisfactory only after I met a 'real' doctor who was open minded enough to listen to me. I was treated & all was well.

I suffered from Dengue Fever 6 months (or so) ago. I knew what was wrong with me the instant the rash developed & the fever would not go. I immediately asked a friend to take me to hospital. In this case, the hospital was Pattaya Memorial. The doctor (a 'real' doctor) immediately diagnosed Dengue Fever & admitted me immediately. I told him I did not require tests for this.

In the ER, I was immediately placed on a drip (glucose & salts). Soon after, a male nurse arrived & attempted to inject a syringe full of something into the drip. I asked what this substance was. He told me not to worry about it. I physically stopped him from proceeding & asked him again "What is this?" He then told me it was vitamin B12. This made sense to me so I permitted him to inject it.

6 months ago, my old Pilonidal Sinus wound (removed in 1989) decided to erupt...again. I went to the loacl doc. He did not like questions at all but I did ensure that he prescribed the correct antbiotics (as I am familiar with these). I'm sure he dislikes me as I ask too many questions.

I now have Thai government health coverage as I work for a government institution. Early next year, I plan to go to Queen Sirikit Hospital & have my pilonidal sinus finally attended to.

From what I have seen, the Thai health system is modelled on the US system. I sincerely hope that the Thai system will never end up an utter debacle like the US system.

I have 2 US friends in San Diego. 7 years ago when they told that health care in the US cost about US$700.00 per month, I didn't believe them. In this case, one of my US friends said he got cheap health insurance because he was a member of an engineering institute. One year later, when they visited Australia again, they both brought their health insurance receipts, which I photo copied.

I asked my friends at work (in Australia) if they knew how much health insurance costed in the US. They came up with all knids of figures but none of the figures were correct. When I told them that it costed between US$700 & US$1000.00, they didn't believe me...until I produced the photocopied receipts. My colleagues were totally gobsmacked!

The Australian healthcare system is pretty good, even though the previous Howard government tried to totally privatise it & do away with any sort of National Healthcare. National healthcare in Australia is excellent. I would never pay for healthcare in Australia because the only real difference is WHEN you can go to hospital & NOT the quality of care you receive. As an example, my father & I went to the same government hospital at the same time. We both had different problems. He attended hospital under private healthcare & I, under public healthcare (NHS). He had to pay AU$40.00...I paid nothing. The only difference is that he did not have to wait as long as I did. He was very annoyed about this.

[thaigene2]

[What about The Goddess???

Indeed, I've met a few..

[Huey]

Indeed Thaigene its hard not too in this wonderful place

[rethaired]

Could not have more pleased in LOS!

After having an appendicits misdiagnosed 2 times in Canada and almost dying when it was ready to burst the 3rd time, the midnight visit to a semi private hospital in Chiang Mai (Ram) when a doctor on a Saturday night came especially for me to check what was wrong left me with no hesitation to be recommending LOS, even though a previous ACL operation experience was one of the best experiences I had and this one was in Canada. I guess I would need to go through many operations in both countries to know for sure! But, I will let the law of statistics to help me reach the proper conclusion, assuming the suvey is accurate.

Thanks for putting the time to make this survey. Very instructive!

Please take one vote from the USA, as it was the closest option!

Edited June 10, 2008 by rethaired

[Maizefarmer]

Nothing wrong with Thailand public health service.

A sick ex-pat can go to any government hospital and get as good emergency service as they would get in any private hospital - at a fraction of the cost. True - the ward may not be as flash as a private hospital ward, you may not get such a variety of food on the menu, the actual quality of health care/treament? It's fine.

Oh and while on the subject: go to the ER of any state hospital in the UK or USA and see how long you have to wait to see a doctor (unless of course you are having a heart attack or bleeding to death)? Now compare it to the waiting time in the ER of a Thai state hospital? .....................

Sure, there will always be reports by ex-pats of bad service (and if you read Thai newspapers, it happens to them as well on occassion), but by a large its a top class service, staffed by disciplined nurses and doctors, who work longs hours for a pittance, and do quite fine with budgets that are a fraction of what health service have in Europe and the USA.

Edited July 14, 2008 by Maizefarmer

[poshthai]

For me,i find the private health care here better than the same in uk because in the uk one still has to go to your gp for referal,Where in Thailand one can just turn up with your medical card.The national health in the uk is not too bad but i cannot compare with free here.

[petitechevre]

im from canada and i think the health system is horrific here.

Most nurses are incompetent and lacks the knowledge of a high school kid that had biology from my country...

Plus i have to pay, geez.

No seriously, my mom's a surgery nurse, my ex-step dad a surgeon and my grand father a doctor, was always around medical people and i can say that the doctors i have seen at St-louis bangkok, and Bangkok hospital in phuket+vachira are pretty clueless and have probably gotten their degree in a box of cheerios

Same goes for nurses, too busy going out at night with their fat farang boyfriend impressing them with their 30k baht a month pension

Funniest time was when i had papers from 2 hospital stating that i had to get an appendectomy and i had to explain to the <deleted> doctor at vachira WHAT IT WAS s when it was written in thai from 2 dif hospital in front of him..

he has no clue what it was, he thought it was diharhea after i had the echography and bloodtest done.. dam_n retard

Edited July 14, 2008 by petitechevre

[petitechevre]

Could not have more pleased in LOS!

After having an appendicits misdiagnosed 2 times in Canada and almost dying when it was ready to burst the 3rd time, the midnight visit to a semi private hospital in Chiang Mai (Ram) when a doctor on a Saturday night came especially for me to check what was wrong left me with no hesitation to be recommending LOS, even though a previous ACL operation experience was one of the best experiences I had and this one was in Canada. I guess I would need to go through many operations in both countries to know for sure! But, I will let the law of statistics to help me reach the proper conclusion, assuming the suvey is accurate.

Thanks for putting the time to make this survey. Very instructive!

Please take one vote from the USA, as it was the closest option!

U know the problem with misdiagnosing is usualy you not being able to describe your troubles correctly. You know it takes 5 secs to type in google your symptoms.. find out the top 3 things you are most likely to have and then report it at the emmergency room?

Everybody who does that, NEVER has any trouble. But i have seen tons of people who just goto the emergency room and only say.. 'hmm it hurts.. like hmm there.. painfull... hmmm around that area not too sure where'

Canada has some of the best medical personel in the world, i hung around a lot of emergency room when i was younger and i have to say i have never seen an unqualified doctor/nurse there.. its hard as shit to become a nurse even..

In the usa any dumb person can become a nurse, same goes for every other country i have visited, cannot say for europe though.

good health facilities and lack of dumb lawsuits are the only things canada has going for it w/ its crappy educational system and socialist governement, have to defend it.. i don't even live there anymore and the health minister is reimbursing the 65k baht i paid here to get a surgery and room in private hospital

[Tyke]

I had picked up Michael Moore's documentary entitled "SiKO" a month or so back but just got around to watching it today..twice, once alone and once with my wife (Thai). I have lived outside the US for 7 years now, but I didn't think I was that out of touch, I didn't think it was THAT bad. We were both stunned and appalled by what we saw and we got to talkin about how the health care system is here in Thailand. So far I'm pretty impressed, I would say the Value for Money ratio in the health care system..and note I call it a "system" here not a Industry like it is in the US, is probably pound for pound the best you can find, even more than say food or accommodation.

Comments?

I was sueprised about the results from the UK. Can't see how the NHS is anywhere near as good as the best private hospitals in Thailand. In Thailand, the prices are very reasonable, so much so that it is hardly worth taking out health insurance if you are fit and healthy. The care from staff is superb, if a bit subservient. The doctors can be selected according to their experience and qualifications. The equipment seems to be first rate. The testing services are prompt and the waiting times almost non-existent. The 'free' service in the UK has been paid for out of the wage packet. Nothing is free. The staff are overworked and sometimes surly but I wouldn't blame them for that. The waiting lists are long.

The few good things about the NHS are the claims one can make against incompetence or injury, not really possible or easy in Thailand. Thai hospitals also usually oversubscribe drugs, but this usually applies to the large commercial hospitals.

Of course one can 'go private' in the UK but then it is expensive without insurance and I am not sure the doctors are any better than Thailand overall, except (maybe) when something life-threatening is involved. And if you are a non-resident then forget about going back and claiming what is your right, you won't be able to get 'free' service for years of settling back there, unless you pretend to be an illegal immigrant.

[a2396]

I have no access to health care in the US (for many years now). It is one of the main reasons I moved to Thailand. I can afford basic health insurance but no insurance company would sell me any except for maybe 5000 USD per month. For people with access, the US is better. But any access is better than no access.

Culturally, US doctors (again, if you have one) are better than Thai doctors. US doctors expect you to ask them questions (if you are an educated person) and challenge their opinions. Thai doctors tell you the way it is, hand you the pills, and seem to be insulted by too many questions.

Your reference point for American health care & doctors is a bit out of date, if you have not tried to get care there for many years. My last experience was 4 years ago in Florida. Doctors generally were overworked & overloaded & spent as little time with you as possible. The most arrogant doctor I ever met was from there, unbelieveable. In contrast, I have found doctors in Thailand quite open to me asking questions & explaining proceedures to me.

[a2396]

There are many comments here about Thai doctors prescribing to many or unnecessary medications. I have not found that to be the case with my experience here. In USA, prescription drug use is a major part of someone's budget, if they are elderly. Many of them cannot afford the high cost, if they have no insurance. USA has got to be the # 1 country in the world for prescription drug use.

[samran]

I had picked up Michael Moore's documentary entitled "SiKO" a month or so back but just got around to watching it today..twice, once alone and once with my wife (Thai). I have lived outside the US for 7 years now, but I didn't think I was that out of touch, I didn't think it was THAT bad. We were both stunned and appalled by what we saw and we got to talkin about how the health care system is here in Thailand. So far I'm pretty impressed, I would say the Value for Money ratio in the health care system..and note I call it a "system" here not a Industry like it is in the US, is probably pound for pound the best you can find, even more than say food or accommodation.

Comments?

I was suprised about the results from the UK. Can't see how the NHS is anywhere near as good as the best private hospitals in Thailand. In Thailand, the prices are very reasonable, so much so that it is hardly worth taking out health insurance if you are fit and healthy. The care from staff is superb, if a bit subservient. The doctors can be selected according to their experience and qualifications. The equipment seems to be first rate. The testing services are prompt and the waiting times almost non-existent. The 'free' service in the UK has been paid for out of the wage packet. Nothing is free. The staff are overworked and sometimes surly but I wouldn't blame them for that. The waiting lists are long.

The few good things about the NHS are the claims one can make against incompetence or injury, not really possible or easy in Thailand. Thai hospitals also usually oversubscribe drugs, but this usually applies to the large commercial hospitals.

Of course one can 'go private' in the UK but then it is expensive without insurance and I am not sure the doctors are any better than Thailand overall, except (maybe) when something life-threatening is involved. And if you are a non-resident then forget about going back and claiming what is your right, you won't be able to get 'free' service for years of settling back there, unless you pretend to be an illegal immigrant.

Really?

NHS -especially emergency care - is available to alot of people for free - not just 'illegal' immigrants. It comes down to the philosphy of running a health service. It is cheaper and more effective to treat people than let their illness get out of control for either themselves personally, or for the community around them. You can bang on about 'illegals' all you want, but it would be more expensive for the UK not to treat them - pure economics at the end of the day - no lilly livered do-gooder liberalism (although in this case good economics and charity to go hand in hand).

Anyway, I've never understood why people pick on the so-called illegals. The NHS has a bunch of reciprocal agreements with the EU, Australia, NZ etc where nationals from those countries get the same service as a local would. You could be on a tourist visa and they'd give you service. I've still got my NHS documentation floating around in my safe her in BKK (I'm Australian) as well as my NI card. Got great service from the NHS for sleep apnea check ups (sleep tests) and got great service for my wifes early stages of pregancy.

It ain't a perfect system. There are queue and waiting lists (the NHS is fighting for doctors and nurses just like all health systems in the world are). Making the system private doesn't change anything or make things better. You still have a finite number of doctors and you have a constant stream of people getting sick. Simple as that.

[t.s]

a little off track...

I use healthcare.tv for preliminary diagnosis and then go to the doctors or hospital. I have found here in Thailand, if you dont know exactly what your ailment is, it becomes expensive in time and money to try and find the actual problems.. At least you turn up at the appointment with a better understanding of what might be the cause.

I am not affiliated with healthcare.tv, I just think it should be known that it is available. A great help.

self diagnosis.

good luck with that.

be careful who you tell, you could put doctors and universities out of business.

[t.s]

I am really quite amazed that you could sit through it, moore is shameless in his approach. the movie is an exercise in spin and plays entirely on emotion. he shamelessly exaggerqtes the issue whil claiming not to.

I used to find him amusing, now i find him annoying.

[samran]

I am really quite amazed that you could sit through it, moore is shameless in his approach. the movie is an exercise in spin and plays entirely on emotion. he shamelessly exaggerqtes the issue whil claiming not to.

I used to find him amusing, now i find him annoying.

all true. But in this case, he is totally right as well.

[petitechevre]

forgot to say, the thai medical staff are TERRIBLE with medication.

When people get big surgeries they only get tylenol.. me and many people had to beg for days to finaly get a LITTLE morphine

They also over price those tylenol when everybody knows tylenol is as effective as a placebo.. maybe less

[Jingthing]

forgot to say, the thai medical staff are TERRIBLE with medication.

When people get big surgeries they only get tylenol.. me and many people had to beg for days to finaly get a LITTLE morphine

They also over price those tylenol when everybody knows tylenol is as effective as a placebo.. maybe less

Wow, that is seriously disturbing. Is that really true? Why is that? Perhaps something to go with drug law hysteria? Also true in the international hospitals? This makes no sense at all. Morphine is a wonder drug for those in pain, especially the terminally ill.

[poshthai]

Many would say that the americans have bought it on themselves by having big lawsuits for anything.The medical profession have increased the policies due to increasingly high lawsuits and scared to do anything in case they get sued.

America invented law suits but face a backlash now with huge premiums.

[Soutpeel]

a little off track...

I use healthcare.tv for preliminary diagnosis and then go to the doctors or hospital. I have found here in Thailand, if you dont know exactly what your ailment is, it becomes expensive in time and money to try and find the actual problems.. At least you turn up at the appointment with a better understanding of what might be the cause.

I am not affiliated with healthcare.tv, I just think it should be known that it is available. A great help.

self diagnosis.

good luck with that.

be careful who you tell, you could put doctors and universities out of business.

Got to agree with this...Health care in Thailand is excellent, if you have the money or medical scheme paying for it, but lacking on the diagnosis side of things....I had surgery in Thailand a few years ago, could not fault the service and after care, but I walked into the hospital already suspecting what was wrong with me, surgeon agreed and a day later under the knive, (and yes was given morphine when I asked for it) but my wife went in complaining of an aliment in the same hospital and spent best part of two days dealing with doctors coming up with bullsh*t diagnosis' in the end I suggested a couple of possible causes and the the doctors agreed with me, problem solved

I suspect in Thailand, the average Doctor doesnt like being asked questions by the patient, asked my wife about this..and the answer was..he is a doctor..he has to be right, I cant question what he is telling me....