Health Care:Thai V European

[yoga100]

I'm currently in the west of ireland and was having a long discussion about the quality of health care in se asia in general and thailand in particular as opposed to health care in say ireland or the uk

I've only ever had relatively minor dental treatment when in the region and no need at all for doctor or hospital care and of course private care in thailand would be far cheaper than anything you could get in the west but how would the regions compare in terms of quality???

The thai hospitals i've passed by have looked ultra modern to me and i'm guessing the quality of treatment in the 2 regions would be of a similar quality but maybe someone with more experience than myself could shed more light on it

[kopite]

my friend gave cpr to a fella the other night after he had a heart attack.

when the ambulance turned up, they took the body, and stopped cpr with both rescuers jumping in the front of the "pick up".

when my friend protested, they told him to jump in the back and carry on. the fella died on arrival.

says it all to me. not the first time ive heard these stories. also had countless friends with breaks etc that havent been dealt with properly. 5 star hospitals as well

Edited August 13, 2010 by kopite

[GuestHouse]

Thai doctors are clearly confident in the quality of the medical treatment they provide - Witness the protests and lobbying to put a stop to a proposed change in the law that would leave them open to criminal prosecution for Malpractice..

They presumably believe that they might commit Malpractice and become subject to the law.

[moe666]

Thai doctors are clearly confident in the quality of the medical treatment they provide - Witness the protests and lobbying to put a stop to a proposed change in the law that would leave them open to criminal prosecution for Malpractice..

They presumably believe that they might commit Malpractice and become subject to the law.

What Dr. any were wants to be subject to a malpratice law. Since they all walk on water and can do no wrong why is protection for our patients necessary. But having said that there are some good Drs many having recieved traning in the US and Europe. While in Mae Hong Son this year met a dentist who had attended New York University for some of her training.

Edited August 13, 2010 by moe666

[bonobo]

I am not too impressed with the care in the public hospitals.  Frankly, I have had to guide a few doctors on my visits (previous conditions and lots of research on my part)  I injured my knee at a jetski tourney in Korat some years back, the the attending physician told me my knee was swollen due to a fatty diet ( got it surgically repaired back in the US.)

However, the private hospitals seem quite good to me.  I have had excellent care, and at a fraction of the costs I would have spent back in the US (got an MRI of my shoulder, for example, for about $200.)

As far as the ambulance crews, most have no or minimal training.  They hearken back to the old scoop and scoot days of 50 and more years ago in the US.  

[JCCR6]

my friend gave cpr to a fella the other night after he had a heart attack.

when the ambulance turned up, they took the body, and stopped cpr with both rescuers jumping in the front of the "pick up".

when my friend protested, they told him to jump in the back and carry on. the fella died on arrival.

says it all to me. not the first time ive heard these stories. also had countless friends with breaks etc that havent been dealt with properly. 5 star hospitals as well

Are you sure that was an ambulance? It sounds more like por tek tung...

The private hospitals are generally quite good, although like anywhere, you get good and bad doctors. Bumrungraad, Samitivej and Bangkok Hospital are generally regarded as the top 3 private hospitals, with Chulalongkorn being the best -sort of- public hospital.

[sgiandubh]

The Bumrungrad may be regarded as a "top hospital" but be prepared to pay for it - every service they perform comes at a much higher higher cost that other international hospitals. My girlfriend had some blood tests (pregancy) done there at a very hefty price (11800b) - the results were printed on a single sheet of A4 and were simply a load of numbers and letters - OK says I, what does it all mean? I asked at the desk only to be told that everything was ok but if I wanted someone to tell me what the results meant it would cost a further 600b.

On another visit to the Doctor, I asked about the conception date - reasonable thing to ask I thought. However the doctor passed this on to my girlfriend in Thai saying that I was doubting if I was the biologial father. I have registered a formal complaint against the doctor but expect that it will all be swept under the proverbial carpet.

Add to that a complete disregard for appointment times 'that they arrange in the first place' - doctors reluctant to speak in english, disinterested nursing staff, sullen faces throughout and it all adds up to a poor service and a very unprofessional experience.

We are now registered with the Yanhee Hospital which although further away is a complete contrast to the money grabbing people at the Bumrungrad. The Yanhee appoint an english speaking coordinator for the word "go" - act professionally at all times, make you feel like a valued client and above all - get the job done right.

In my view, the Bumrungrad Hospital are nothing other than profit led, unprofessional and inefficient. Of course, I accept that many will have good experiences at this hospital but I caution you to have a look at the Yanhee before taking any serious decisions - I think that you would see a big difference in approach and attitude.

[tim armstrong]

I have lived here now for 8 years, and have used both personally and for my thai family, public and private hospitals, GPs, and community clinics. I have also worked in several other health systems in the world, including the UK, Australia and other parts of Asia.

The thai public system like many others suffers from a lack of resources, but the staff, are generally well trained and competent. There does seem to be a tendency to overprescribe medications, no doubt supported by commercial interests, and there is not much attention given to preventative health. If for instance more education, tougher or just enforced driving laws, made motorbike riding safer, hospital numbers would fall overnight.

The lower wage costs make non essential treatments about 30 -50% cheaper in the private hospitals, but many drs. work in both places.

Governments both past and present have long advocated for medical tourism here, and actively compete with the other private sector hospitals in Singapore and Hong Kong. But no doubt some of the larger ones are becoming overpriced.

But to the original question: In terms of quality of treatment, infection control, nursing care, and post treatment follow up, I think the Thai system is very good and comparable to many western countries. Where else in the world would you get hospital pharmacists able to communicate reasonably well in English - which is their second language, even in the provinces. I don't know where to go to see treatment outcomes, but I think they are probably quite good. What often impresses me most here, is that staff seem to respect each other and work well together.

Western systems are becoming far to bogged down in medical politics, some Drs greed, and poor management. But they do have more access to current research and newer treatments. The only consideration for me in deciding to go for a treatment here or in Australia, is cost. Regards

[Thongkorn]

The difference in UK health care and Thai Health care, is that you have to pay for Thai health care, UN like the UK where you pay taxes and expect to get treated with competent nurses and doctors,Which incidental train a lot of foreign doctors and nurses, Have you been to a village hospital out in the sticks , dirty beds, dirty floor, blood on sheets and blankets ., people defecating in there beds because there are not enough nurses or doctors who work at the clinic or hospital , the patients family stood round the bed ,trying to help there loved one i have seen this first hand, I watched a young girl die who had bought a tablet to try and relieve the pain of having to work in a bar, selling her body, basically she was left to die because there was no money to do anything, let alone after care, So how do you equate health care and at what level?. Maybe take a walk around Harley street London , and compare that with the health service. Thailand does what it can for people who have no money so i am not knocking or comparing the health service with any other.

[Hawkup2000]

<SNIP--->

The private hospitals are generally quite good, although like anywhere, you get good and bad doctors. Bumrungraad, Samitivej and Bangkok Hospital are generally regarded as the top 3 private hospitals, with Chulalongkorn being the best -sort of- public hospital.

How do you rank BNH then?

[way2muchcoffee]

BNH is, arguably, the best hospital in Thailand. Outstanding service. Attentive nursing staff. Every doctor speaks English and most are fluent. Facilities are clean. Equipment is modern and well-maintained. You will pay a price for this, so I will only use it for important hospital needs.

Edited October 20, 2010 by way2muchcoffee