Why Do Thai Doctors Always Love To Give Antibiotics?

[mommysboy]

Depends where you live? but in Bangkok respiratory problems that start off viral frequently end up bacterial. So, maybe it's not such a bad move to give a 5 day couse of harmless anti-biotics. Also some bacterial conditions can mimic flu, eg, tonsilitis. Best cure is 1 week bed rest, that's what would be advised. Not so easy I know, but will you do it?

[mommysboy]

You should never question a doctor in Thailand!!

Seriously, I took our little girl to the doctors for a cold and sore throat and came back with FIVE different bottles of crap!

If you have a cold it's not worth going, nothing cures a cold.

It's all about money and losing face and it'll never change.... mai pben rai....

Poor kid, probably had TB.

In fairness to the OP, he didn't have 'a cold' he had the flu, or a flu like illness, with fever and coughing, not nice at all!. Even standard colds can get very painful aout here.

Thai Visa leaves me awe struck! I never knew there so many tough guys around, never meet them down the gym .

[sleepyjohn]

Depends where you live? but in Bangkok respiratory problems that start off viral frequently end up bacterial.

I believe you're right Mommysboy the antibiotics are for secondary infections.

Whether that's a good idea is another question.

(I was once given 7 types of pill for a stomach bug including, get this, an antiflatulant.

I never once had passed wind. Honestly.)

[freitag1]

Just make sure to always! always! check on the medication they give you. I usually went to Bumrungrad or Samitivej and at times they gave me medication I should not mix!!!

[Bagwan]

They have commission off each prescription and also have a quota to fill which is decided by the hospital. If they don't fill their quota of prescriptions their contract will not be renewed.

I'd be very interested to know if this has an evidential basis or is a waste of space.

Extracts from a post I made a year ago:-

After reading this and many other similar threads I asked my lovely doctor at Bumrungrad a few questions.

Q. Is it true that all doctors working at private hospitals have to work so many hours per month at Government hospitals or they will lose their licence to practice?

A. Totally untrue.

Q. Is it true that all doctors on qualifying have to work for two years at Government hospitals as interns?

A. Certainly not. It is true for those who have availed themselves of Government financial assistance during their years of study. She was uncertain whether the period was for two years or until all loans had been repaid. The loans have to be repaid in any event.

Q. Is it true that doctors are poorly paid and rely heavily on commissions on drugs prescribed, the tests carried out to arrive at a diagnosis, referrals to specialists and the number of patients admitted to the hospital?

A. A doctor is a highly respected member of the community and is paid accordingly. Most doctors can garner a monthly income of 400K baht per month without even breaking into a sweat.

Q. You did not answer the question. Is it true or not? If it is not true, then would a doctor considered to be generating insufficient income to the hospital have difficulties in having his/her contract renewed?

A. Possibly - with a smile. I didn't press her further.

Q. Given that the Thai education system is in ICU would you accept that there are doctors at large who are a positive danger to their patients?

A. You are an intelligent and well read man. I think you know the answer to that.

THree or four years ago the preeminent Pattaya hospital bought in GPO-VIR, a combination of three antivirals, from the Government laboratory at a cost of 1200 baht for 28 days supply. The hospital charged out to patients at 2800 baht. I consider this totally disgraceful profiteering for a life saving drug. Taking lifesaving drugs out of the reach of the majority of Thai people does nothing for the HIV/AIDS problem or the Thai economy.

[Bagwan]

They have commission off each prescription and also have a quota to fill which is decided by the hospital. If they don't fill their quota of prescriptions their contract will not be renewed.

I'd be very interested to know if this has an evidential basis or is a waste of space.

Extracts from a post I made a year ago:-

After reading this and many other similar threads I asked my lovely doctor at Bumrungrad a few questions.

Q. Is it true that all doctors working at private hospitals have to work so many hours per month at Government hospitals or they will lose their licence to practice?

A. Totally untrue.

Q. Is it true that all doctors on qualifying have to work for two years at Government hospitals as interns?

A. Certainly not. It is true for those who have availed themselves of Government financial assistance during their years of study. She was uncertain whether the period was for two years or until all loans had been repaid. The loans have to be repaid in any event.

Q. Is it true that doctors are poorly paid and rely heavily on commissions on drugs prescribed, the tests carried out to arrive at a diagnosis, referrals to specialists and the number of patients admitted to the hospital?

A. A doctor is a highly respected member of the community and is paid accordingly. Most doctors can garner a monthly income of 400K baht per month without even breaking into a sweat.

Q. You did not answer the question. Is it true or not? If it is not true, then would a doctor considered to be generating insufficient income to the hospital have difficulties in having his/her contract renewed?

A. Possibly - with a smile. I didn't press her further.

Q. Given that the Thai education system is in ICU would you accept that there are doctors at large who are a positive danger to their patients?

A. You are an intelligent and well read man. I think you know the answer to that.

THree or four years ago the preeminent Pattaya hospital bought in GPO-VIR, a combination of three antivirals, from the Government laboratory at a cost of 1200 baht for 28 days supply. The hospital charged out to patients at 2800 baht. I consider this totally disgraceful profiteering for a life saving drug. Taking lifesaving drugs out of the reach of the majority of Thai people does nothing for the HIV/AIDS problem or the Thai economy.

[simcity]

Agree with you post, some doctors are great here.

Cert some Doctors have to give a certain time back to the public community, i know one of them, BUT the he done 4 years medical study in Sydney (paid by the Thai government) as a heart specialist.

Next time i contact him, i will ask him if a mandatory public hospital training is in place in Thailand, i think it is mandatory in Australia and France, but perhaps only for the one who get financial assistance.

I was surprise to realise, not all Doctor are born with a silver spoon !

[brent]

My wife and I went to a doctor in Chiangmai to treat a small skin infection which was a tiny boil, looked like a pimple with a yellow head, but was more painful. The Doc recomended two antibiotic injections and a huge pack of oral antibiotics to be taken 3 times a day, and this cost over 2000baht. He wants us to come back for at least 3 follow up injection treatments, but Ive told my wife im skeptical of this, and will see how the boil progresses on the oral meds. From what Ive researched it's common to treat this with a topical ointment, and in the worst scenario, antibiotics. My father had one the size of a tennis ball, had to cut it to release the puss then dressings, and he was fine after a week, without using antibiotics.

[halfhead]

My wife and I went to a doctor in Chiangmai to treat a small skin infection which was a tiny boil, looked like a pimple with a yellow head, but was more painful. The Doc recomended two antibiotic injections and a huge pack of oral antibiotics to be taken 3 times a day, and this cost over 2000baht. He wants us to come back for at least 3 follow up injection treatments, but Ive told my wife im skeptical of this, and will see how the boil progresses on the oral meds. From what Ive researched it's common to treat this with a topical ointment, and in the worst scenario, antibiotics. My father had one the size of a tennis ball, had to cut it to release the puss then dressings, and he was fine after a week, without using antibiotics.

The huge pack of antibiotics sounds like Augmentin (Amoxicillin Clavulanate,at least your on the goodstuff

[Sheryl]

The issue is whether it is just a localized abscess or whether there is cellulitis present (infection ofthe surrounding tissue). If cellulitis then indeed a long course of antibiotics is in order.

[balo]

Just home from Bangkok Christian Hospital today. I've been sick in my stomach for the last 4 days and I vommit almost every day. I'm not hungry even if I havent been able to eat for 2 days.

The doctor take a lok at me and decides I have an infection and gives me an injection of antiobiotics ( had to wait 1 hour for it to enter my body) .

,

Then they gave me 5 different drugs ,Prevacid , Combizym, Ciprofloxacin, GASMotin, Oreda powder, Im not sure if this will work but its my only hope so I have to give it a try.

I like to trust doctors but here in Thailand I'm always sceptical.