Private Doctors (GP) or Private Clinic (GP)

[poweratradio]

I find it very hard to believe that there are no General Practice Doctors in Thailand with private medical offices here; who can in turn refer you to a specialist as required. In the absence of the above, I am as equally amazed for the same reasons that there is no private clinics.

Can anyone shed some light on this and if it is not a fact to please advise how one can acquire a private GP.

I cannot believe the populous must show up at a hospital ER for every diagnosis and treatment. If so; no wonder the ER's are so overdone in Canada by the needless users who come from Asian countries used to this.I suppose there are laws protecting the Thai medical profession from Farange Doctors setting up shop.

Any enlightenment on points would be welcome.

Edited January 25, 2015 by poweratradio

[lopburi3]

There are private clinics but most doctors use hospital facilities as it makes it much easyser for everyone. There are GP working in hospitals outside of ER areas.

[inbangkok]

I am not really sure why you are surprised. Every country has a different health care system and means of operating it. However, I don't understand why this is even a problem. There are hospitals on every corner in BKK and other big cities. What is the problem with going and seeing a GP in one of these? What does it matter if the office is located in an office building or commercial park rather than a hospital?

As lopburi3 stated, it truly is more convenient this way. If you need lab work, X Rays, or referral to a specialist, you are already there. No need to go, wait for results, and then return to the Dr.

As for laws preventing foreign Dr.s from setting up shop, I have no idea. But there is not a huge need considering there are tons of good Dr.s here who speak fluent English and many have even attended school, trained, or worked overseas in the West.

[Issangeorge]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. There are private clinics everywhere. In my small district town there are at least three, probably more I don't know about. In the provincial towns they are everywhere. Usually open after five and on weekends, as the doctors work during the day at hospitals. Some are open early in the morning and at lunch hour.

Edited January 26, 2015 by Issangeorge

[Sheryl]

In large cities, indeed almost all doctors operate their private practices out of OPD facilities in private hospitals, for the reasons others have mentioned. It is far more efficient and cost effective than running one's own clinic.

Upcountry where there are no or far fewer private hospitals (and often of not very good quality), it is different and doctors will often have their own small offices. These are not as convenient as doctors offices in hospitals due to the usual lack of laboratory and imaging services...they'll have to send blood work out which means delays in getting results, and refer elsewhere for Xrays, scans etc. Worse yet is that in my experience they will sometimes avoid seeking needed diagnostics because they themselves aren't able to provide it and the treatment given is then constrained accordingly. ("Loss of face" may play a part here...telling someone they need something you can't provide and recommending they go elsewhere is seen as a loss of face).

There are plenty of GPs in hospitals, you'll find them listed under "internal medicine". Quality is another matter as few have had training in the west and the brighter docs tend to want to specialize. Also, not having trained outside of Thailand often means less skills in English and almost always means being unfamiliar with such Western "ways" as patients asking questions.

There are of course exceptions, and in a few places (e.g. Chiang Mai) some GPs have established full clinics of their own. But those are the exception, not the rule.

[bkkgooner]

There are private clinics all over the place mostly run by doctors in the evenings as part-time work after a full day at the hospital. They generally give far too much medicine and offer a terrible service to their patients.

There are a few farang doctors working as pretty much GPs in hospitals around Thailand I would start by looking for them

[NancyL]

As Sheryl said, here in Chiang Mai we have several GPs. One very popular one is Thai but uses her western husband's name, Dr. Morgan. She actually has a stand-alone office out in the 'burbs. Probably the sort of set-up the OP was thinking about. Another is a real foreigner, Dr. Greer, an American, but he's an internist with his office in Sripat Hospital, so that's probably not quite what the OP was thinking about. Then there's Dr. Smith, an Aussie who practices at McKean Rehabilitation Center (a nursing home) and also has public clinic hours at the Military Hospital. There are probably more, but I just can't think of them now.

Part of the reason you don't see more is the need for doctors to pass the Thai medical exams in the Thai language. I wouldn't consider that a restrictive requirement -- after all this is Thailand. Thai doctors have to pass exams in English to practice in English-speaking countries.

Most Thais I know who use public hospitals don't "go to the ER for every little problem". Instead they show up early in the morning for the outpatient clinic and describe their problem to the senior nurse at the desk, who refers them to the appropriate outpatient clinic. They know to use the ER for emergency situations. If they develop a relationship with a internist (i.e. GP) they like they can always make an appointment to see him.

Edited January 26, 2015 by NancyL

[poweratradio]

Thank you all for the enlightenment. I do see the points regarding the ease in Bangkok and Chaing Mai and also the drawbacks in the smaller towns north but having read here (with thanks I may add) that Chaing mai has many medical opportunities that I questioned. I believe I will make the hours and half trip there for anything medical that may come up for testing. Thanks again all.

[inbangkok]

Thank you all for the enlightenment. I do see the points regarding the ease in Bangkok and Chaing Mai and also the drawbacks in the smaller towns north but having read here (with thanks I may add) that Chaing mai has many medical opportunities that I questioned. I believe I will make the hours and half trip there for anything medical that may come up for testing. Thanks again all.

No matter where you live outside of one of the big cities, if something serious comes up..... It is generally best to head into the closest city if it is serious and find the best Dr or hospital possible. Don't wanna gamble with your health and well being.

[uptheos]

As Sheryl said, here in Chiang Mai we have several GPs. One very popular one is Thai but uses her western husband's name, Dr. Morgan. She actually has a stand-alone office out in the 'burbs. Probably the sort of set-up the OP was thinking about. Another is a real foreigner, Dr. Greer, an American, but he's an internist with his office in Sripat Hospital, so that's probably not quite what the OP was thinking about. Then there's Dr. Smith, an Aussie who practices at McKean Rehabilitation Center (a nursing home) and also has public clinic hours at the Military Hospital. There are probably more, but I just can't think of them now.

Part of the reason you don't see more is the need for doctors to pass the Thai medical exams in the Thai language. I wouldn't consider that a restrictive requirement -- after all this is Thailand. Thai doctors have to pass exams in English to practice in English-speaking countries.

Most Thais I know who use public hospitals don't "go to the ER for every little problem". Instead they show up early in the morning for the outpatient clinic and describe their problem to the senior nurse at the desk, who refers them to the appropriate outpatient clinic. They know to use the ER for emergency situations. If they develop a relationship with a internist (i.e. GP) they like they can always make an appointment to see him.

I'm not at all surprised that you left out Dr Tawatchai at Loi Kroh clinic, who has been there forever and attracts who you would probably describe as 'lower class' of person. The only problem with his clinic is that he is so busy and flits from room to room every 5 minutes, so you feel rushed. However, I once made an end of the morning 'special' appointment with him because I needed time and I can honestly say that man is a wealth of information, vastly superior to anyone else mentioned. He will also do his own biopsies etc, not something the other's can do, plus he has his own lab upstairs and a bed for a sick person requiring IV infusion etc. If I wanted something obscure diagnosing, I think I would go to him before anyone else, as I doubt that there's anything he hasn't come across during his time as a doctor.