Fed up with the medical services here.

[dogpoo]

I was in no way addressing any specific instance.

I know but this thread is about my experience!

OK -- If you asked the doctor in question why he/she (according the the OP) misdiagnosed the young girl in question, the answer would be either:

1. I really screwed up on that one, or

2. The scenario as presented by the OP is not an accurate assessment or presentation of the details in the incident in question.

Take your pick -- but until you hear the other side, we are only hearing how you choose to relate the situation.

So you have to trust me that I am right and I am!! Number 1 should be your pick in this case!!

[Wavefloater]

Was once prescribed horse medications for a sore throat. Thanks to google I did not consume them.

How strange!

Now, if it was a "hoarse" throat you went to the doctor about, I could understand the confusion.

[partington]

Was once prescribed horse medications for a sore throat. Thanks to google I did not consume them.

You're claiming you were prescribed animal drugs, and you were able to get them at a pharmacy? How many hospital or retail pharmacies stock veterinarian drugs?

I say this is made up.

[samuibeachcomber]

I was in no way addressing any specific instance.

I know but this thread is about my experience!

OK -- If you asked the doctor in question why he/she (according the the OP) misdiagnosed the young girl in question, the answer would be either:

1. I really screwed up on that one, or

2. The scenario as presented by the OP is not an accurate assessment or presentation of the details in the incident in question.

Take your pick -- but until you hear the other side, we are only hearing how you choose to relate the situation.

3. or the doctor may have thought"i dont really care"

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Daughter is not hot anymore but still has a cough, gf wants me to take her back to the clinic for an injection, what is it about these injections, what do they contain? how old is old when getting free healthcare for a child, gf says cannot take to government hospital because daughter is not Phuket person <deleted>!! it's like bashing your head against a brick wall!!

There is no requirement for a child to use a hospital in the area the child is registered.

They can be treated in any government hospital in the country at no charge.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

It's straight forward, took daughter to hospital, daughter was very very hot all over with cough etc, they were in the office for approx 1 minute, gf said "he say cold, might have to come back if serious" <deleted> tablets we were given made her sick as in throwing up!!

If you want to know what the pills are, just post a legible photo.

[rgs2001uk]

Too be perfectly honest, its sounds like its the g/f thats the problem.

[NanLaew]

The OP wonders how it's possible to know the good doctor from the sh!t doctor before parting with the cash. Also infers that this is a Thai problem and it is better and easier in the west?

I lived and worked in the US for almost 12 years. For all it's 'first world' medical care (and prices), it is medically speaking, still the land of the "second opinion"... in my opinion. It's common sense really; if the pills don't work, see another doctor. In this case, if the doctor didn't even look then forget even paying for the pills* and go see another doctor.

The OP did exactly that; he got a second opinion and a correct diagnosis. The first 'diagnosis' was a total waste of time so the OP should not have waited and gone to the clinic straight away... or rather, get his very confused gf to do it. If she has faith in some magical injection, why sweat about it? If she reckons the daughter needs one, and you have no idea what it's about, why bother getting involved? You have done more than enough up to now.

Regarding wishing to know what the pills from the 'sham' diagnosis doctor are. Why? They didn't work so flush them down the toilet. The fact that they are loose pills in a plastic bag that only identifies the hospital and the dosage looks very suspect. Whenever I have received meds from any 'leading' private hospital, the name of the medication is also stamped or written on the bag. Also, they usually leave the pills in the manufacturers original blister packs so you can look at the back and know the name. This loose pills shenanigans is very much like the hole-in-the-wall pharmacy issues and to be avoided. Would you take a bunch of nameless pills from your doctor at home?

* Thai hospital 101: Rule 3 - NEVER buy the medications at the diagnosing hospital dispensary. Take the 'prescription' (or a copy of it) and go buy them at a pharmacy. Save money!

[Sheryl]

well you got it sorted 'dogpoo",that's the main thing.the days of trusting a dr.'s diagnosis are long gone,you have to ask the important questions if you doubt "the diagnosis"..............but thais are like we were back in the 1950's when a doctors advice was sacrosant.

It's the worst situation to be in, not being able to trust these important people, one poster says you have to choose your doctor as some are good and some are bad, as a normal run of the mill person I would like to know how you go about this, do you ask the reception? do you ask other patients? I assume doctors have good and bad days so it's impossible to know who to go too, if you are paying premium prices you should expect premium doctors, this is not a country I want to stay in forever but whilst I'm here I expect some 21st century care and consideration!

Of course not.

You avail of the fact that the major "international" hospitals usually have websites listing doctor qualifications.

You look for doctors who are board certified in the appropriate specialty, and if possible, have had some training in a western country. A faculty appointment (which would be indicated by the title "Prof" or Asst Prof") is also a good sign. As is being listed as a consultantsrather than fulltime staff.

If what appears on the website isn't sufficient, google some of the names and see if they have published in a peer reviewed journal.

I just went through this process for Bkk Phuket Hospital. Despite the fact that the doctor bio section is under reconstruction and thus currently gives only name, specialty and whether staff or consultant, I was readily able to identify this pediatrician as having good qualifications and special interest in dengue:

Chonthicha Tangcheewawatthanakul

Took me about 7 minutes to do this. I just called up "general pediatrics" and pasted the first name under "consultant" into Google.

If you aren't going to do this then you are taking "pot luck" as to doctor in which case IMO you may as well go to a govt hospital, the main advantage of the private being the ability to choose your doctor.

[MrHammer]

Bumrungrad and Samitivej have always been good to me. I find the doctors very patient, even with a hypocondriac such as myself. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions to the doctor. They are people like you and see so many patients that after a while symptoms and patients may begin to blur. They probably begin to on instinct.

Bangkok Hospital is also the worst of the private hospitals.

[Sheryl]

I have not found Bkk Hosp Bkk branch at all bad, many excellent doctors there, and their Cancer Hospital is top notch.

The provincial branches are another matter.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I have found the government hospitals in and around CM to give very good service to both Thais and foreigners.

It's a real shame that most foreigners are too scared to use the government hospitals. They do a really good job.

[chiang mai]

For the most part, finding good quality medical care in Thailand can be a nightmare and from my four years in Phuket, it's at its aboslute worst there, I wont bore you with the stories although some of them beggar belief.

My only advice is to go with your own instincts and don't give up and allow yourself to be fobbed off with excuses. My other advice is to forget about the name of the hospital/clinic and to put some effort into dfinding one or two key doctors that you can trust, people who have a good reputation amongst expats in particular and use them as your starting point for all medical problems, We've compiled and pinned list of medical specialists in Chiang Mai and that works very well, somebody needs to do the same for Phuket.

[samuijimmy]

I have found the government hospitals in and around CM to give very good service to both Thais and foreigners.

It's a real shame that most foreigners are too scared to use the government hospitals. They do a really good job.

Yes, I agree, about government hospitals... I usually use the government hospital on Samui. Extremely efficient

But too I have been to government hospitals in other areas of Thailand and found to be the same...

Last week I saw a skin specialist for what turned out to be sand flies, chewing away under my skin... The Bill including four medications (which worked within a day) 289 baht

Even getting blood tests done is extremely efficient at Government hospitals too... within four hours results are back... not much money either..

[SurinBeach]

I've used the Private hospitals a few times here over the years, for myself and my kids....

Always get offered FOUR lots of different coloured pills, I decline half !

If you are spending the money to go to a "top" private hospital, for heavens sake take advantage of the option of choosing your doctor and take the time to choose carefully. IMO that is the main advantage.

The quality of care you can in the same hospital varies enormously depending on the doctor chosen.

Or as others have said, save your money and get free care for the child at a government hospital. HOWEVER, govt hospital will not give unnecessary injections and the like...so you'll need to convince your gf first. Her mistaken ideas as to what constitutes "good" care i at least part of the problem here.

That's easier said than done, how do we know who is good and not good, daughter was red hot, they were in with the doctor for about 1 minute, he said it was a cold and gave us 4 lots of tablets, some made the daughter very sick, clinic said medicine no good!!

[JLCrab]

I my almost 10 years in Thailand I have had 2 inpatient procedures one of which required an 8 day stay in the hospital. But considering the title of this topic, and as they both procedures were diagnosed properly and went very well with no complications, any detail to that effect could be considered off topic.

[CaptHaddock]

Some perspective is needed here. I have read that the rate of incorrect diagnoses in the US is 40%. Here's another dismal stat:

An average of 195,000 people in the USA died due to potentially preventable, in-hospital medical errors in each of the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, according to a new study of 37 million patient records that was released today by HealthGrades, the healthcare quality company.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/11856.php

It would be hard to judge whether Thai medicine is better or worse in this respect. Anecdotes don't help. Our best strategy remains the same however: ask questions, do research, ask the doctor to wash his hands before touching you, get a second opinion, etc.

The OP wonders how it's possible to know the good doctor from the sh!t doctor before parting with the cash. Also infers that this is a Thai problem and it is better and easier in the west?

[dogpoo]

Some perspective is needed here. I have read that the rate of incorrect diagnoses in the US is 40%. Here's another dismal stat:

An average of 195,000 people in the USA died due to potentially preventable, in-hospital medical errors in each of the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, according to a new study of 37 million patient records that was released today by HealthGrades, the healthcare quality company.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/11856.php

It would be hard to judge whether Thai medicine is better or worse in this respect. Anecdotes don't help. Our best strategy remains the same however: ask questions, do research, ask the doctor to wash his hands before touching you, get a second opinion, etc.

The OP wonders how it's possible to know the good doctor from the sh!t doctor before parting with the cash. Also infers that this is a Thai problem and it is better and easier in the west?

Been ill for a week, go to the hospital feeling very down so no I did not try to look at the 10 or more doctors CVS, gave her all my symptoms, Wednesday fever massive headache, Thursday fever gone but now have sore throat, bad stomach and chest, feeling very low, she gives me prednisoione 5 mg, amoxicillin 500 mg, rithromax 250mg, she said you will feel better tomorrow, now have big stomach pain, maybe she is right and I will feel better tomorrow, if not another different place to visit!! she asked and I allergic to any medication, I have no idea!.,

[dogpoo]

I feel twice as bad as I did before the visit!

[partington]

I feel twice as bad as I did before the visit!

Did you read Sheryl's post (#69) telling you exactly how to find who is a good doctor in a clinic or hospital you are going to?

You should - it is the most constructive and useful post in this thread , and if you follow it you will not have so many problems!

[dogpoo]

I feel twice as bad as I did before the visit!

Did you read Sheryl's post (#69) telling you exactly how to find who is a good doctor in a clinic or hospital you are going to?

You should - it is the most constructive and useful post in this thread , and if you follow it you will not have so many problems!

Mate it's everything I can do just to get out of bed!

[dogpoo]

Annoys me so much, you hear well it's fault for not trying to find a good doctor, even if a doctor has many qualifications he or she might be a lazy can't be bothered knob, is this what healthcare has come down to, I have to do onto websites looking at qualifications I can't be bothered and I am betting there will be many like me, xxxx me these doctors are trained to find out what is wrong, do the job or do something different!

Edited August 2, 2013 by metisdead
Profanity

[jrtmedic]

Best you go to America !

The Americans only manage to , at a conservative estimate, experience some 225,000 iatrogenic deaths every year !

Be careful where you level criticism!

http://www.yourmedicaldetective.com/public/335.cfm

Edited August 2, 2013 by jrtmedic

[dogpoo]

Best you go to America !

The Americans only manage to , at a conservative estimate, experience some 225,000 iatrogenic deaths every year !

Be careful where you level criticism!

http://www.yourmedicaldetective.com/public/335.cfm

How about the hospitals make available a sheet of paper with all the doctors names and qualifications? I'm in Thailand not America!

[jrtmedic]

If you can show us one country where all hospitals provide details of their staffs qualifications then you may have a point!

Thailand does better in this respect than many !

Edited August 2, 2013 by jrtmedic

[chiang mai]

There is a problem with doctors CV's being on display for public consumption in that many are "sexed up" and glamorised, if you pick any of the major hospitals that advertise their doctors CV's you'll see that many include training and/or experience in overseas locations, the US is a favorite in this respect. In reality much of that training is little more a than a single course although it's hard to tell that from the CV.

In other examples, Thai doctors seem prone to recieving honorary degrees in various disciplines, I know of one such doctor at a large hospital in Phuket and that is her only medical qualification yet she practices as an endocrinologist!

A further problem is the tendancy for Thai doctors to obtain assistant professor status at a teaching hospital and this is easily done and can be a condition of employment, I know of one gastroenterologist who has such a title which he recieved when he was recruited by his ex-boss and best chum, previously he had worked for a governement hospital in Phuket!

I maintain that displaying the CV's for public review doesn't do much to improve the quality of health care here, it's really a marketing tool that is geared towards increasing fee income.

[dogpoo]

If you can show us one country where all hospitals provide details of their staffs qualifications then you may have a point!

Thailand does better in this respect than many !

As this seems so important why couldn't they do it, people who have no medical knowledge and are unable to know what qualifications etc to look for this would be a great advantage, maybe the medicine I have been prescribed today is right, at the moment I feel like shish, we will see tomorrow!! Again if you are ill do you see many people siting on a computer when all they want is some professional competent help!

[dogpoo]

To be honest I am worried about going to see doctors here, never felt like that back in the UK!

[chiang mai]

I must confess I share your nervousness although having said that there are some really excellent medical staff in Thailand, the problem is knowing who they are and trying to find them

On the one hand a particular doctor may be very good in his/her area of specialization but that alone is not sufficent, the doctor needs to be prepared to hand over to other specialists as and when necessary, be willing to listen to the patient and not be driven by cultural practices, those three things seem to be stumbling blocks for even some of the best doctors I've come across.

(by cultrual practices I refer to automatically prescribing at least three different types of medicines/pills ((locals think a doctor is poor unless they recieve at least three))and being willing to admit they were wrong and to let go of an inital eroneous diagnosis just to save face).

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I feel twice as bad as I did before the visit!

Did you read Sheryl's post (#69) telling you exactly how to find who is a good doctor in a clinic or hospital you are going to?

You should - it is the most constructive and useful post in this thread , and if you follow it you will not have so many problems!

Mate it's everything I can do just to get out of bed!

If your kid had dengue, then you have dengue.

Antibiotics do no good at all for dengue, paracetamol and rest until it's over.