Dangerous Doctors

[rbrb]

I came across this news report:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4080164.stm

As a matter of general interest has anyone some ideas or suggestions about how we in Thailand can discover and hence protect ourselves against such dangerous doctors?

Thanks in advance.

[chownah]

The best way to protect yourself from dangerous doctors is to stay healthy....no I'm not joking. As my hero Benjamin Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Excercise, eat healthy foods, sleep enough, don't abuse your body with drugs...not even the legal ones.

Also you can take some time and learn about health, disease, medicines, etc. I know it will take time and effort to do this but if you don't know about these things how will you even be able to tell a good doctor from a bad one. Take control of your life. Knowledge is power.

[Dradam]

I came across this news report:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4080164.stm

As a matter of general interest has anyone some ideas or suggestions about how we in Thailand can discover and hence protect ourselves against such dangerous doctors?

Thanks in advance.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In Thailand there are some extremely poor doctors. There are also some of the best doctors in the world. It is difficult for the layman to know who is who, especially if they don't speak Thai. Referrals can be helpful. Sometimes referrals between doctors can be risky because some doctors will receive kickbacks if they refer patients to another doctor.

If possible research the doctors before choosing. If you have time, it is always helpful to see two or more doctors so you can compare. This is especially important in an elective procedure.

One indicator is the level of English ability. Generally (although there are exceptions), the better the English, the better the doctor. Doctors must keep up to date on medicine by reading English. If they can't manage English they can't stay up to date. Some doctors though might be excellent readers and haven't been able to practice their speaking and listening skills.

Check overall communication ability. Even in America and Europe, a doctor who cannot communicate with the patient is a poor doctor. Communication indicates interest.

An excellent hospital does not mean the doctors are all excellent. Do not simply trust that because you are at a top hospital that you will receive a competent doctor. Some of the best doctors open private clinics because they have a large clientele of patients. Why should a doctor make $30,000 per year at a hospital if they can make $300,000 at a private clinic? Bumrungrad pays many of its doctors about $30,000 a year. A specialist will make ten times as much in a private clinic.

Some specialties such as heart surgeons and brain surgeons must rely on a hospital settings however. There is fierce competition among hospital for these doctors. Hospitals that pay alot for marketing and upgrades sometimes cannot afford to pay these doctors more.

Knowledge is power. The more you know about your doctor. The safer you are. Don't gather all your information from the doctor himself either. Misinformation is very high in the medical field.

[rbrb]

Sound advice chownah, grateful for that.

However to clarify my question, in view of that horrendous case in the news I posted, may I ask :

In the event that one of us needs surgery by a doctor here in Thailand,

what suggestions are there for:

1. finding out the competence and credentials or otherwise of the doctor ?

2. discovering his or her ability and history as a surgeon etc?

[Dradam]

One part about the Thailand Health Care system that can be dangerous is that the oath that doctors here take. Not only do they promise to care for their patients but they promise to protect each other.

Here is an article that mentions the Thailand Medical Council and its good old boys attitude.

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Subway/3537...pt_doctors.html

They promise not to speak bad about other doctors and they band together at times.

Unfortunately, this can make taking legal action against poor doctors difficult. Who would be the expert witness if other doctors will not speak bad of fellow doctors?

There are some extremely competent Thai doctors though so I don't think anyone should be afraid of all Thai doctors. Many people from America and Europe come here and leave thinking that the Thai medical system is much better than their own.

[Kringle]

Sound advice chownah, grateful for that.

However to clarify my question, in view of that horrendous case in the news I posted, may I ask :

In the event that one of us needs surgery by a doctor here in Thailand,

what suggestions are there for:

1. finding out the competence and credentials or otherwise of the doctor ?

2. discovering his or her ability and history as a surgeon etc?

I would like to know this also. I'm about to get some surgery done (supposed to be very simple) and would like to know anything about where to check on the hospital and the surgeon. Thanks for any help.

[soi lurker]

You can get good and bad doctors in every country. Im not sure about Thailand but I can tell you now there is a doctor facing criminal charges in Australia for being unqualified and having people die in his care. He came from another un-named country and background checks were not conducted before he commenced here. He is in all major news headlines in Australia and is affectionately known as "Doctor Death"......... I guess its a case of "buyer beware"...... and get second opinions if unsure......