How Does System Work Here?

[english_farang_lady]

Are there GP's (general practitioners) here as well as specialists? Does one visit a GP first, like in Europe, and then go to a specialist if required?

Only moved here recently. Greatly appreciate any advice, wondering whether we should register with a GP like in Europe or not.

[chownah]

When I need medical attention I always go to the same hospital where I registered the first time I went. When I go there I explain my problem to the nurse at the intake area and she decides who I will see. If I describe something that obviously needs to go to a specialist...for instance an ear problem... then she sends me there. If its a more general complaint ...like a headache or can't sleep....then I end up with a GP.

[jingjingna]

I would say that most of us just visit the nearest hospital when we need medical attention. Relatively cheap, no appointments or sitting around in a doctor's surgery..it's all good!

[Pink Mist]

If you gave your location in LOS then the posters could give you advice. In KhonKaen the Ram is great you see a specialist straight off, I suspect it's similar in other regions

[Sheryl]

Are there GP's (general practitioners) here as well as specialists?  Does one visit a GP first, like in Europe, and then go to a specialist if required?

Only moved here recently.  Greatly appreciate any advice, wondering whether we should register with a GP like in Europe or not.

In private hospitals here you a see a specialist on demand,no need for a GP referral. Although GPs (often listed as specialty in famil medicine,or in internal medicine) are available in case you don't need a specialist or áren't sure what typeof pecialist is needed.

In government hospitals you must see a GP first, and it can take quite a while and a few trips before making it to a specilist if that's what you need....and it's not easy to navigate the large government hospitals in Bangkok without a Thai speaker to help.

[PeaceBlondie]

Are there GP's (general practitioners) here as well as specialists?  Does one visit a GP first, like in Europe, and then go to a specialist if required?

Only moved here recently.  Greatly appreciate any advice, wondering whether we should register with a GP like in Europe or not.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In private hospitals here you a see a specialist on demand,no need for a GP referral. Although GPs (often listed as specialty in famil medicine,or in internal medicine) are available in case you don't need a specialist or áren't sure what typeof pecialist is needed.

In government hospitals you must see a GP first, and it can take quite a while and a few trips before making it to a specilist if that's what you need....and it's not easy to navigate the large government hospitals in Bangkok without a Thai speaker to help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps that's true for many govt. hospital. However, in Chiang Mai at the Special Clinic of the Maharaj (Suan Dok) hospital, on the 13th floor, they always referred me directly to a dermatologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, orthopedic, etc. Cost 350 baht for the consultation, always got seen within two hours of dropping by at around 5 pm.

At the private hospital in Hua Hin, they'll send you to a specialist if one's on duty, but you often end up with a general medicine doctor.

[fxm88]

Are there GP's (general practitioners) here as well as specialists?  Does one visit a GP first, like in Europe, and then go to a specialist if required?

Without insurance there's no gatekeeper granting or witholding access to the costlier services of specialists. You can get any service you want... as long as you pay for it.