How Well Do Thai Doctors Treating Foreign Patients Speak English?

[tc101]

How well do Thai doctors treating foreign patients speak English?

I am recently retired. Health insurance in the USA costs a fortune and as the price of care rises, the quality of care declines. I am considering retiring to Thailand, or perhaps just living there half of the year. One of the big reasons is that I am looking for better quality health care. The health care system in the USA is broken and getting worse.

If I moved to Thailand I would take classes in Thai and learn to speak it as well as possible, but I know how long it would take me to become really fluent.

Several years ago I went to a doctor in Guatemala. His english was much better than my spanish. On the surface he would seem fluent in english, but there was still confusion on some subtle points. I realized that talking about health care in a foreign language could possibly lead to some dangerous missunderstandings unless either the the doc or I was really very fluent in the others language.

So what is your experience with Thai doctors? I don't need to hear from the folks who have been living in Thailand for years, worked hard at it and really mastered the language. I want to know what it was like if you didn't speak Thai well and had to have the whole conversation with the doc in english.

[marshbags]

How well do Thai doctors treating foreign patients speak English?

I am recently retired. Health insurance in the USA costs a fortune and as the price of care rises, the quality of care declines. I am considering retiring to Thailand, or perhaps just living there half of the year. One of the big reasons is that I am looking for better quality health care. The health care system in the USA is broken and getting worse.

If I moved to Thailand I would take classes in Thai and learn to speak it as well as possible, but I know how long it would take me to become really fluent.

Several years ago I went to a doctor in Guatemala. His english was much better than my spanish. On the surface he would seem fluent in english, but there was still confusion on some subtle points. I realized that talking about health care in a foreign language could possibly lead to some dangerous missunderstandings unless either the the doc or I was really very fluent in the others language.

So what is your experience with Thai doctors? I don't need to hear from the folks who have been living in Thailand for years, worked hard at it and really mastered the language. I want to know what it was like if you didn't speak Thai well and had to have the whole conversation with the doc in english.

................................................................................

...............................................................

Very good.

There should be no problem in Thailand as when training they are required to use English skills.

Most have also trained abroad in either the U.K. or in the U.S.A in there particular fields of expertise.

marshbags

P.S. As a further extension of your question you should find that most pharmacies have a required

trained / qualified English speaking representative ( officially a requesite of the Thai Medical ass. )

and are more than capable of conversing and understanding your medical needs and what different medicines are ect.

marshbags

Edited May 6, 2006 by marshbags

[sbk]

I have never had a problem discussing problems with a doctor in English. I do speak fairly fluent Thai but feel more comfortable discussing medical problems in English. I have seen doctors in big hospitals in Bangkok and in small clinics in Surat Thani and both times have felt the communication level was quite good. Even in Surat, altho the dr's english wasn't perfect, I understood what he was saying quite well. He then spoke to my husband in Thai (because he was worried that I wouldnt' understand) and basically said the same thing in Thai! (his english was good enough, just needed confidence )

[Thaiquila]

In my limited experience, the doctors speak excellent English. Once I even had to see a doc at the provincial public hospital in Trang, and language was not a problem.

What I have found IS a problem is the cultural differences in the doctor patient relations in Thailand. Again, in my limited experience, I find the doctors are less hands on, and less responsive to questions. I think it is absolutely necessary to take your health care in your own hands in Thailand, do lots of net research, and direct your care as much as possible. I guess, bottom line, in my random experience I didn't think the quality was that great.

[sbk]

In my limited experience, the doctors speak excellent English. Once I even had to see a doc at the provincial public hospital in Trang, and language was not a problem.

What I have found IS a problem is the cultural differences in the doctor patient relations in Thailand. Again, in my limited experience, I find the doctors are less hands on, and less responsive to questions. I think it is absolutely necessary to take your health care in your own hands in Thailand, do lots of net research, and direct your care as much as possible. I guess, bottom line, in my random experience I didn't think the quality was that great.

I agree Thaiquila, the older doctors do tend to be less responsive to questions. I have seen a couple of younger doctors and found them to be more "western" in their approach. The doctor in Surat Thani was a younger doctor (also trained acupuncturist) and I found him to be very open and willing to listen.

So, I guess, if you want a more responsive doctor, try to find a younger one!

[marshbags]

In my limited experience, the doctors speak excellent English. Once I even had to see a doc at the provincial public hospital in Trang, and language was not a problem.

What I have found IS a problem is the cultural differences in the doctor patient relations in Thailand. Again, in my limited experience, I find the doctors are less hands on, and less responsive to questions. I think it is absolutely necessary to take your health care in your own hands in Thailand, do lots of net research, and direct your care as much as possible. I guess, bottom line, in my random experience I didn't think the quality was that great.

I agree Thaiquila, the older doctors do tend to be less responsive to questions. I have seen a couple of younger doctors and found them to be more "western" in their approach. The doctor in Surat Thani was a younger doctor (also trained acupuncturist) and I found him to be very open and willing to listen.

So, I guess, if you want a more responsive doctor, try to find a younger one!

................................................................................

.............................................................

If i may extend on T.Q,s and sbk,s advice and add, post on Thai Visa for first hand / class advice and experiences.

Regarding the older doctors, it,s pretty much the same the world over with them being of a different generation with old fashioned ideas and guide lines engrained in them ( not all mind. )

marshbags

Edited May 6, 2006 by marshbags

[g00dgirl]

Bad experiences in hospitals in Phuket, doctors don't say if they understood me, do not let me finish to tell the whole story, and do not reply to me and hardly speak at all. No one tells you what the problem is, they only sell you medications, every visit at least 3 different ones.

Nurses are trying to say something to me while I am in hospital in Phuket but even after 3 attempts and me saying I did not understand, they can not tell me in any way so that I understand it.

[Neeranam]

One thing that bugs me about the doctors is their insistance on speaking English when I'm there with my Thai wife. It would sometimes be better if they talked only Thai as my wife doesn't speak English well.

The doctors have a big problem with their egos - it's impossible to ask them some questions.

Most doctors speak English - I'd say about 80% of them, and 100% of the

younger ones.

[lanny]

I've had experiences with a number of doctors in three different hospitals in BKK. Most were younger doctors (but, at my age, they are ALL younger!)

At Bumrungrad, I had no problems with at least three doctors; all understood English, were willing to listen and to explain. However, when I began to see an internist on a regular basis, he did become somewhat brief in his comments.

At BNH hospital, I have also dealt with different doctors and had no problems in communications. My current interist there speaks almost unaccented English and will spend time talking with me.

Finally, I've had a couple of eye operations at YanHee Hospital. The doctor there is not as fluent as the doctors at the other hospitals and usually explains thing in Thai to my girl friend. However, when I have had questions, she does listen to me and replies in a way that I can understand. She has replaced cataracts in both eyes and I am very well pleased with the results.

Four or five years ago, I had a gall bladder operation and Bumrungrad. With no insurance, I had to pay the full bill myself. In the US, I had been a member of the Kaiser Plan, so I don't have first hand experience with actual fees. From what I know of other people's costs, though, I estimate that the $3,000 I paid is probably about what I would have paid under most insurance co-pay provisions.

Without the expensive malpractice insurance and other bureaucratic overhead imposed on the health care system in the US, medical care in Thailand is very reasonable. At the better hospitals, the facilities are equal to US hospital standards and the doctors have nearly all had training in the US or Europe. When I first came here, I thought I could always to back to the US to take advantage of my Medicare coverage. Now, I realize that that is not really practical; I can get equally good care here and my out-of-pocket costs will still be less than going back.

I probably should add that I am diabetic and well over 65! Health care costs are not a minor issue for anyone in my position but I am very comfortable with the situation here.

[repoulin]

Thai Doctors do speak very good English and most of them have studied abroad. I have found similar problems in slight misunderstandings. If something like that does occur, it won't be the Thai Doctor to say so. I spoke with someone else about getting multiple opinions and also researching what they need prior to visiting the doctor. This will make sure you know what to ask and how to ask it.

There are a lot of advantages of receiving medical care in Thailand. Although language barriers for English speakers is not difficult in Thailand overall - you should anticipate them not understanding and bring your questions written out to be on the safe side.

[Sheryl]

Actually if one is peaking of doctor doctors in general, the majority have not sdtudied abroad and do not speak good English, although most speak at least some. However, in the international-standard hospitals in Bangkok (Samitivej, Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok Nursing Home, St. Louis) most do speak English and also, you can review the qualifications of different doctors on their website.

Key is to select one with board certification in their specialty area from an English-speaking country. It is VERY hard to get board certified in a language which is not your mother tongue; anyone who has managed to do so is bith exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled in their field but sure to speak excellent English.

They will also in most cases be better about communicating because they will have had experience working in a western country and understand the expectations that western patients have in that regard. (Interestingly, I have observed that the same docs who readily explain things and discuss with their western patients often continue not to with their Thai patients, or any other Asian for that matter!)

OP, you'll be fine in Thailand as long as you don't plan on living too far out in the sticks. The English-speaking international health care is limited to major urban areas. Bangkok having the most. If you want countryside, go for provinces not more than a 2-3 drive from the Big Mango. Otherwise you may indeed find yourself faced with communication and possible quality of care difficulties.

[britmaveric]

Very good english in my experience!

[chuchok]

Actually if one is peaking of doctor doctors in general, the majority have not sdtudied abroad and do not speak good English, although most speak at least some. However, in the international-standard hospitals in Bangkok (Samitivej, Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Bangkok Nursing Home, St. Louis) most do speak English and also, you can review the qualifications of different doctors on their website.

Key is to select one with board certification in their specialty area from an English-speaking country. It is VERY hard to get board certified in a language which is not your mother tongue; anyone who has managed to do so is bith exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled in their field but sure to speak excellent English.

They will also in most cases be better about communicating because they will have had experience working in a western country and understand the expectations that western patients have in that regard. (Interestingly, I have observed that the same docs who readily explain things and discuss with their western patients often continue not to with their Thai patients, or any other Asian for that matter!)

OP, you'll be fine in Thailand as long as you don't plan on living too far out in the sticks. The English-speaking international health care is limited to major urban areas. Bangkok having the most. If you want countryside, go for provinces not more than a 2-3 drive from the Big Mango. Otherwise you may indeed find yourself faced with communication and possible quality of care difficulties.

Got to agree here.I have had some shockers that have very limited English skills(And a couple with poor Doctoring skills IMO).In saying that, I have also seen some that speak english very well and have been first class.

If I had a serious condition here and was able to fly, I would be on the first plane home though.

[PeaceBlondie]

AFter three years here, at age 63.7, my observations echo the last several posts, above. A wreck outside of Doi Inthanon, and another in Mae Tang, left me at local hospitals with poor English skills, well-meaning doctors and nurses (mostly females and poorly trained) who did good first aid. Chiang Mai Ram 2, and Samitivej in Bangkok, are high-class high-price hospitals, and the doctors listened and spoke quite well, roughly equal to the average physician back home. Maharaj special clinic in Chiang Mai, same at much lower price.

However - as you occasionally get in the West - some don't understand. I love Dr. Sophon at Hua Hin, St. Paulo - he is an older man who actually said, verbatim: "I have no idea what's wrong with you." Quite the exception, especially in Thailand. Several others diagnosed an obvious case of serious, bacterial, internal, post-surgical infection as contact dermatitis!! Mis-diagnoses are not uncommon, and they order fewer lab tests or x-rays here.

Out in the boondocks, you'll be lucky to stay alive. In huge cities, you pay a pittance and get reasonably high quality.

[sbk]

I do disagree with the idea that you will only find english speaking doctors near Bangkok. I have lived in Surat Thani province and visited drs in this province (Koh Phangan, Samui and the mainland) for 17 years and have yet to encounter a dr who does not speak english well enough to communicate. The dr I visited is a case in point. This was in Surat Thani town and altho he felt his english wasn't great I understood him perfectly and he communicated just fine.

[skylar]

There was no misunderstanding at all between my father's tumour specialist and my father at Samitivej when the specialist told him he would have to amputate my father's leg if he wanted his bone tumour removed in Thailand. Our family hotfooted it to Melbourne quicksmart! This was about 10 years ago, so I'm assuming it's no longer the case

[lopburi3]

I agree with Sheryl on the English speaking. It is one thing to speak some English but quite another to have the will and ability to ask the many questions needed to accurately treat a patient. If you have an obvious or easily tested problem this may not matter too much. But preventive treatment would be compromised and often there is no search for an underlying cause. Treatment of symptom rather than disease. I believe that this is both language and traditional doctor/patient relationship caused and to a great extent can be solved by using the doctors who have actually practiced, or at least trained at a higher level, outside Thailand. As pointed out board certified is a very high mark for any doctor.

But we generalize and the real goal should be to find a doctor that asks questions and listens to our answers; and has the time to do so. This, in my view, is the biggest disadvantage of Government Hospitals. They just do not have the time to dig - many of the doctors are amazing but they have extreme pressure of time and it is too easy to make errors when you can not fully evaluate or you are under extreme stress and not have enough time off. If I could afford private treatment and had a government doctor who I wanted treatment from I would ask if he has a clinic or visits other hospitals rather than take up his valuable time in a public hospital.

Those that do use public facilities and are not aware of it most Thai with the ability will provide a gift basket or such to those who treat them and donations are always accepted and appreciated by hospitals.

[Sheryl]

I find that usually the best doctors in any specialty are in teaching positions at a major government hospital and have private practices -- at least a few hours a week -- at a private hospital. When I'm looking for a top specialist, first I find out who it is -- usually a Professor or Dept Chief at someplace like Siriraj or Chula -- and then where he has his private practice.

Aside from long waits and red tape and language problems at least with the registration staff and nurses), another drawback to govt hospitals is that you can't choose your doc and unless able to wrangle special arrangements, you won't be cared for by the top guy but rather by an intern or resident under his supervision.

SBK, Surat Thani may be an exception. There is no English speaking in the provincial hospital where I live (Prachinburi) nor in its own private hospital. Nor more than a few broken words in any of the private clinics/dr offices. That said, the care in the provincial hospital is quite OK for anything not requiring a specialist. The one private hospital is awful.

One may be able to find a capable English-speaking internist (GP) in the provinces or nor -- luck of the draw. But almost anywhere, for specialist treatment it's best to come to Bangkok (except for really common specialities like OB-Gyn).

I would still advise anyone with chronic health problems or very elderly to settle somewhere that they can readily get transferred to a Bangkok hospital if the need arises...either 2-3 hours drive or close to an airport.

But I personally would feel pefectly confident having just about anything treaterd in Bangkok. I've seen friends and acquaintances through open heart surgery and cancer treatment, among other things, here with first class, state of the art treatment. Of course, that was with careful selection of the doctor and hospital. In fact the treatment was in many cases better than what one would usually get in the US.

The only area where I have some concerns is hospice/terminal care. It doesn't seem to have really arrived here yet as far as I know. And Thai medical practices (and related legislation) seem to be back in the 1960's as far as pain management goes. Which is not a big problem for acute pain -- they'll manage post-op pain & the like OK -- but is a big drawback in a terminal situation where liberal use of heavy-duty opiates is appropriate.

If anyone knows otherwise please post. (I'm perfectly healthy, and not that old, but it's always good to know...I'd prefer when the time comes to die in my home in Thailand).

[Galong]

I'm just back from the dentist. I had three crowns put on. I had two root canals recently and I must say that the two different dentists were as professional as any dentist I've ever visited. They both spoke English well enough to understand everything I said and visa versa.

The medical doctors at the Bangkok - Phuket Hospital and at the International Hospital are top notch and all speak English.

Now, government hospitals are a different story.

[Patex]

...The only area where I have some concerns is hospice/terminal care. It doesn't seem to have really arrived here yet as far as I know. And Thai medical practices (and related legislation) seem to be back in the 1960's as far as pain management goes. Which is not a big problem for acute pain -- they'll manage post-op pain & the like OK -- but is a big drawback in a terminal situation where liberal use of heavy-duty opiates is appropriate...

Every hospital has a yearly allowance for the goodies... the most private ones run out in the middle of the year - and get an extended access (because they can afford it) .

Liberal use?? Someone would say criminal use; but TiT, money buys you all .

[Digger]

I find that usually the best doctors in any specialty are in teaching positions at a major government hospital and have private practices -- at least a few hours a week -- at a private hospital. When I'm looking for a top specialist, first I find out who it is -- usually a Professor or Dept Chief at someplace like Siriraj or Chula -- and then where he has his private practice.

That is exactly my experience - Many of Chula's medical school finest freelance at Bumrungrad and BNH because they are situated near to the Chula University making for a quick drive for their private practice. Incidentally, if you see one of the more general doctors and want an opinion on another subject, just ask your original doctor - they will always suggest who you need to see. By concentrating on doctors in teaching positions, you also find they are more receptive to western type questioning as they expereince it every day from their students and tend to be more descriptive in their prognosis - rather than just say - 'oh its such and such and this is the medicine', you tend to get the full details.

Also my experience has been that the doctors/teachers from Chula have had a lot of International exposure and it shows in their English ability. Probably the same for Mahidol (the other med school), but for geography reasons, I have tended to focus on Bumrungrad which has more doctors from Chula, at least based on my experiences.

[Sheryl]

A number of the Siriraj top docs/profs have private hours at Chao Phya Hosp, a small and moderately priced private place very near Siiriraj. On opposite side of river so hard to get to unless one lives aroung Thonburi or riverside area.