Anyone Recommend A Good Local Medical Gp?

[mrmillersr]

Thought I'd check to see if anyone has a GP they would recommend before the need arises again when I need to see one.

Been going to the Loi Kroh clinic for years now with sometimes good results and sometimes not so good results. Not all that keen on the hospital route, especially if it is something minor in nature. Just thought it would be good to find a local MD that could be trusted to do more than just ask a few questions and then hand you a bag of pills on the way out the door.

[harrry]

If you can afford about 200 baht a time to see the doctor I strongly recomend SriPat. Not a lot of waiting and tests and medicine are not overcharged. Plenty of time too.

[Pai2009]

Try Health care clinic on Hangdong road, good results.

[john b good]

Who ever it is, who ever he is, whatever his name is, and regardless whether you have had some good results and some bad results the guy on Loi Kroh will leave anyone one else in CM for dead.

Sri Pat is like waiting for a train in downtown Delhi.

Take your pick and take your chances

[Sparkles]

Try Health care clinic on Hangdong road, good results.

I'll second that,200 m south of Tesco on Hang Dong Rd.Phone 053 804 405.English speaking lady Dr. From memory 150 b for consultation.

[Drew Aitch]

I've been to the docs twice this year for the first time in well over a decade. First visit was to the Loi Kroh and the second was to the Health Care Clinic on the Hangdong Road. I was more than happy with the treatment and apparent care at both places.

The Loi Kroh Clinic: Pleasant staff and friendly doctor. Didn't care much for the 1 hour waiting room experience though

The Health Care Clinic: Once again, friendly and caring. Difference being that the practice is small, brand new, and with no waiting due to the pre-appointment option. The doctor is young too, so will most likely be well educated and updated on today's common ills and conditions.

Heard some great reports for Siripat hospital, but the downside is really with the potential wait time. Then again, who really wants to visit a hospital for minor complaints and injuries anyway!

Aitch

Edited September 21, 2009 by Drew Aitch

[goforit]

In my opinion, by far the best GP in Chiang Mai is Dr. Nisachon Morgan on Hang Dong Road at the H&C Clinic.

Having been here 10 years, I have had a number of visits to the Loh Kroh clinic for minor items and would rate it at about a 6 out of 10. Often overcrowded, I think the good Dr. Tawatchai does the best he can with the limited amount of time he can afford to give you but speed is not something I am looking for when it comes to any health matter.

Dr. Nisachon spends adequate time and takes a sincere interest in understanding what the problem is before prescribing treatment. She is not quick to recommend an unneccessary drug or procedure which is all too often the case with modern western medicine practitioners.

As someone who knows quite a bit about the health field, I would highly recommend her to anyone in Chiang Mai who wants a competent personal physician they can trust and go to for medical advice and treatments.

Her office is located slightly south and across the street from Lotus on Hang Dong Road.. Her office number is 053804405.

[PeaceBlondie]

I do not believe posters go to the same ten Sripat clinics I've gone to for last six years. Yesterday was first time I ever waited over an hour (1.5). Maharaj may take longer than cold November rain; not Sripat.

[Ulysses G.]

The Loi Kroh Clinic: Pleasant staff and friendly doctor. Didn't care much for the 1 hour waiting room experience though

He has lots of patients because he has a good reputation. However, you wait very little if you make a reservation in advance, instead of just showing up when you feel like it.

Is that too much to ask?

[Mapguy]

The Sripat Clinic, formally known --- and still known on the internet ( http://www.cmed.cmu.ac.th/container-eng/ ) as the Special Medical Services Center --- is indeed more crowded, normally, than a place like Chiang Mai Ram. I've never had to wait particularly long. Anyway, I always took a magazine to read, just in case; not that I ever really got the chance to read a whole article.

I really don't understand the complaints about waiting anywhere in a Chiang Mai hospital or medical clinic very long --- except in the public or governmental insurance area of a Thai hospital. Isn't the latter like most situations in the West? And, if you want a private service in the West, don't you usually have to make an appointment and hope you can get one reasonably soon? And then pay through the nose?!

If you go to a private office or clinic, and something needs more then basic diagnostic or minor medical procedures, you'll have to be referred to a specialist anyway, as it should be.

A significant advantage of Sripat is the group approach to treatment when more than one doc is needed. The number of specialists there is by far the broadest number in one place available in Northern Thailand. The number at Chiang Mai Ram (many of whom practice also at Spripat) is also significant.

For emergency care concerning heart attack or stroke, the emergency services provided by Ram apparently surpass those of any other facility in town. That is covered thoroughly in another thread on TV Chiang Mai.

The marketing of Chiang Mai Ram is the most sophisticated in the city and particularly "comfortable" for non-Thai speakers, but that doesn't speak to the quality of medical care, just marketing. I add that this is not a criticism of Ram. Sripat's marketing effort for foreigners is not nearly as effective as that of Ram's, as far as I've been able to see.

[elektrified]

Since the OP asked for a recommendation of a GP and doesn't like the hospital route, I too would recommend Dr. Morgan on the Hang Dong Road. She is very knowledgeable and takes her time and explains everything to you. I've also heard many positive comments about Dr. Tawatchai at the Loi Kroh Clinic. Sripat has good specialists if you have a particular problem and need expertise in a particular field.

[goforit]

The Loi Kroh Clinic: Pleasant staff and friendly doctor. Didn't care much for the 1 hour waiting room experience though

He has lots of patients because he has a good reputation. However, you wait very little if you make a reservation in advance, instead of just showing up when you feel like it.

Is that too much to ask?

I used to go to the Loi Kroh clinic and sometimes would make an appointment to bypass the long waits. That being said, I much prefer Dr. Nisachon's approach and feel more confident about the recommendations she gives as I think most would if they visited her just once.

Though her office is closer to where I live than the Loi Kroh clinic, I would still make the trip to see her even if it was further away than even Loi Kroh. And this is from someone who doesn't like doctors and has quite a bit of knowledge in health related issues.

[MrBrad]

For some 15+ years I've gone to the Savitri-Sharin Clinic at 95/2-3 Kochsarn Road. It's on the outside moat road, one block before you come to the southeast corner. Open daily 9-12 and again 5pm-8pm; closed Sunday evenings. Phone number is 053-275-330.

The husband (Dr Sharin)-wife (Dr Savitri) team has a very good clinic. English is excellent; both studied in the USA. Very personable and willing to thoroughly discuss your needs. Walk-in is common, and the wait is usually no more than 20 minutes. Many expats as well as more financially fit Thais go here. He's not the cheapest doctor in town (I'd seen a few of those doctors prior to Dr Sharin); I think he's well worth a few extra baht.

[Ulysses G.]

I used to go to the Loi Kroh clinic and sometimes would make an appointment to bypass the long waits. That being said, I much prefer Dr. Nisachon's approach and feel more confident about the recommendations she gives as I think most would if they visited her just once.

There seem to be a number of posters who feel that their Doctor is superior to others.

Recommend them by all means, but not by putting other Doctors down. Very few of us are qualified to make such decisions for other people.

[noise]

I do not believe posters go to the same ten Sripat clinics I've gone to for last six years. Yesterday was first time I ever waited over an hour (1.5). Maharaj may take longer than cold November rain; not Sripat.

Peace Blondie,

How do you achieve that? We switched my MIL to Sripat because of the waiting time; it was worth paying extra not to spend the day. But, even so, when she has a 9 am appt so do who knows how many other people. She has to arrive between 7:30 and 8 to get in line for her 9 am appt. Last time we got her there at 7:30 and was still #2 for 9 am.

[PeaceBlondie]

I do not believe posters go to the same ten Sripat clinics I've gone to for last six years. Yesterday was first time I ever waited over an hour (1.5). Maharaj may take longer than cold November rain; not Sripat.

Peace Blondie,

How do you achieve that? We switched my MIL to Sripat because of the waiting time; it was worth paying extra not to spend the day. But, even so, when she has a 9 am appt so do who knows how many other people. She has to arrive between 7:30 and 8 to get in line for her 9 am appt. Last time we got her there at 7:30 and was still #2 for 9 am.

I don't know. Maybe it's dumb luck or I look prettier than your MIL . I don't speak Thai and I go alone.

I almost always have appointment a month or three in advance. I arrive no more than 30 minutes early. Maybe your MIL goes to 10 different clinics, like gyn.

[Patriciachas]

Dr Morgan is by far the best Dr that i have seen in Thailand or the UK.As i stated on a previous post she picked a problem up that my wife as had all her life and was never picked up in the UK.

Due to her expertise the problem was resolved here in Thailand.

[Sparkles]

For some 15+ years I've gone to the Savitri-Sharin Clinic at 95/2-3 Kochsarn Road. It's on the outside moat road, one block before you come to the southeast corner. Open daily 9-12 and again 5pm-8pm; closed Sunday evenings. Phone number is 053-275-330.

The husband (Dr Sharin)-wife (Dr Savitri) team has a very good clinic. English is excellent; both studied in the USA. Very personable and willing to thoroughly discuss your needs. Walk-in is common, and the wait is usually no more than 20 minutes. Many expats as well as more financially fit Thais go here. He's not the cheapest doctor in town (I'd seen a few of those doctors prior to Dr Sharin); I think he's well worth a few extra baht.

Certainly not the cheapest Dr in town .I was charged 500 baht for a normal consultation and the drugs perscribed were far more expensive then purchasing fom a pharmacy. As a previous poster said medical issues are a personal issue however I just could not justify the extra cost. Maybe thats why the waiting time is short.

[dave2]

my 10 bahts worth on this supject

re ..... mapguys post ......

For emergency care concerning heart attack or stroke, the emergency services provided by Ram apparently surpass those of any other facility in town

i agree with that 100 % coz thats where i went when a had a minor stroke at 9 30 pm on a friday in october 2007

but with that well sorted and behind me .... doctor morgan looks after me and all my medical needs now !

enjoy her card .

dave2

[CMDR]

For some 15+ years I've gone to the Savitri-Sharin Clinic at 95/2-3 Kochsarn Road. It's on the outside moat road, one block before you come to the southeast corner. Open daily 9-12 and again 5pm-8pm; closed Sunday evenings. Phone number is 053-275-330.

The husband (Dr Sharin)-wife (Dr Savitri) team has a very good clinic. English is excellent; both studied in the USA. Very personable and willing to thoroughly discuss your needs. Walk-in is common, and the wait is usually no more than 20 minutes. Many expats as well as more financially fit Thais go here. He's not the cheapest doctor in town (I'd seen a few of those doctors prior to Dr Sharin); I think he's well worth a few extra baht.

Certainly not the cheapest Dr in town .I was charged 500 baht for a normal consultation and the drugs perscribed were far more expensive then purchasing fom a pharmacy. As a previous poster said medical issues are a personal issue however I just could not justify the extra cost. Maybe thats why the waiting time is short.

Saw the bill from the mentioned clinic. Simple Chest xray cost 1000B,which normally we pay 250-400 baht for it.

[Steve2UK]

As the OP specifically requested suggestions of alternatives to Loi Kroh (where I have been going happily for several years), I'll mention Chiangmai Medical and Dental Polyclinic, 129/1 Moon Muang (053-326600).

My only "experience" of it was going there just recently to get a last-minute medical certificate for my visa extension - and, yes, most of us know that that generally requires no more than noticing that you made it to the desk and are still breathing . I formed a very good impression of the GP there - mature guy with superb English and a very grown-up/worldly/friendly manner - and noted it as a smart place that I would check out if I weren't already with Loi Kroh (and Grace for dental work). Perhaps another member has proper "patient" experience of this clinic, the GP, costs etc there? My medical certificate was just the usual 100 baht.

Incidentally - a question about Loi Kroh. I've seen passing mention of an appointments system there - does one actually exist and function properly e.g. through a prior 'phone call? (Yes, I know I should have asked there myself........)

Edited September 22, 2009 by Steve2UK

[Ulysses G.]

I mentioned not wanting to wait at Loi Kroh to the Doctor one day and the Doctor recommended I make a an appointment for the next day. I marched in on time and was allowed to se the Doctor almost immediately.

[Steve2UK]

I mentioned not wanting to wait at Loi Kroh to the Doctor one day and the Doctor recommended I make a an appointment for the next day. I marched in on time and was allowed to se the Doctor almost immediately.

Thanks, UG. Did you just get given an appointment card/slip to show when you went back? From what I've seen, there doesn't seem to be an appointment book kept there - as I'd expect for 'phone booking.

[elektrified]

I used to go to the Loi Kroh clinic and sometimes would make an appointment to bypass the long waits. That being said, I much prefer Dr. Nisachon's approach and feel more confident about the recommendations she gives as I think most would if they visited her just once.

There seem to be a number of posters who feel that their Doctor is superior to others.

Recommend them by all means, but not by putting other Doctors down. Very few of us are qualified to make such decisions for other people.

Well said. I agree that there plenty enough good doctors to care for everyone in C.M. No one needs to bash another (unless of course gross medical negligence occurred).

I used to go to Sripat for basic medical needs but have since stopped going there. One evening I was sitting in one of my favorite little Thai restaurants when the owner who was sitting at the next table, struck up a conversation with me. Turns out he is a doctor here in town. He told me that the medical system in Thailand is beyond repair, mostly because people abuse the resources available by running to the hospitals when they have a minor condition like a common cold or skin rash, or to get their medicines for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. He said that the doctors time is stretched so thin that they can not possibly care properly for all of their patients including the ones paying good money. He even mentioned farangs are running to the hospitals now instead of going to the clinics....which made me think... All of the doctors I have seen at Sripat have their own clinics here in Chiang Mai. Why not save the hospital for when there is a real emergency? After all we wouldn't run to the hospital for a minor problem in our own countries now would we? I lived in the USA most of my life and in three European countries and for more than 45 years never stepped foot in a hospital unless I was visiting a hospitalized friend or relative. I always went to the doctor's office. Something to think about...

Having said that I would not hesitate to go to Sripat, Chiang Mai Ram, etc. if I had a real emergency or needed to have some tests performed.

Edited September 22, 2009 by elektrified

[mrmillersr]

Appreciate all the replies and helpful information I got after my original post.

One poster seems to be partial to the Loi Kroh clinic where I have been on a number of occasions with both good and bad results, which is only stating the facts. The Savitri-Sharin Clinic sounds like a ripoff with excessive fees so that ones off my list. Going to a hospital for something that is not an emergency or that is not likely to need more extensive testing is not something I prefer to do either, which is the reason I am searching out in advance a local MD to see for an intial consultation.

I did get to talk to one of the other posters who has been in CM a number of years and it looks like Dr. Nisachon will be at the top of my list. He had nothing but praise for her and would recommend her in a second. When (not if) the need arises for a trip to the doctors office again, I will give her a try and report back on my findings.

[john b good]

Remember it don't matter where you go in Thailand the realm's doctors are ranked # 27 in the world.

There wil be some individual doctors ranked above that and there will be some who would struggle to be in the top 100.

Take your pick, and take your chances.

But you ain't gonna find any Harley Street doctors in either CM or the rest of the realm combined.

[harrry]

I do not believe posters go to the same ten Sripat clinics I've gone to for last six years. Yesterday was first time I ever waited over an hour (1.5). Maharaj may take longer than cold November rain; not Sripat.

Peace Blondie,

How do you achieve that? We switched my MIL to Sripat because of the waiting time; it was worth paying extra not to spend the day. But, even so, when she has a 9 am appt so do who knows how many other people. She has to arrive between 7:30 and 8 to get in line for her 9 am appt. Last time we got her there at 7:30 and was still #2 for 9 am.

I don't know. Maybe it's dumb luck or I look prettier than your MIL . I don't speak Thai and I go alone.

I almost always have appointment a month or three in advance. I arrive no more than 30 minutes early. Maybe your MIL goes to 10 different clinics, like gyn.

I think you may be confusing the semi public....(Low cost thai private) hospital next door with Sripat.

Sripat is on the 13th floor of the Sripat building. If you go there you recieve an id card and invoices which are printed in gold ink. If you go to the public section there is no Id and the invoices are in brown ink.

I have had good care at both but the waits are long in the public section.

[Patriciachas]

Remember it don't matter where you go in Thailand the realm's doctors are ranked # 27 in the world.

There wil be some individual doctors ranked above that and there will be some who would struggle to be in the top 100.

Take your pick, and take your chances.

But you ain't gonna find any Harley Street doctors in either CM or the rest of the realm combined.

In that case then the Doctors i have seen in the UK must be in the 200s.

[dave2]

johnbgood

re .... But you ain't gonna find any Harley Street doctors in either CM or the rest of the realm combined.

agreed ..... i was sent to a harley street doc 30 years ago by a fairly well known pest control company for a check up after an industrial accident

the 30 min appointment was three hundred pound ( and i was in and out in five mins ) company paid 300 quid

thank god i live in chiang mai now where i pay quite a lot less : )

regards .... dave2

[Ulysses G.]

Remember it don't matter where you go in Thailand the realm's doctors are ranked # 27 in the world.

There wil be some individual doctors ranked above that and there will be some who would struggle to be in the top 100.

Take your pick, and take your chances.

But you ain't gonna find any Harley Street doctors in either CM or the rest of the realm combined.

That's Ok. I wasn't getting the best of the best medical care back home either. That seems to go along with being unusually wealthy.