To be fair, a couple of the physicians I've dealt with following some fairly serious medical incidents have been exceptional. They were familiar with the medical literature I'd read, happy to discuss it, and willing to explain their reasoning. Had they not been, or if I hadn't felt confident in their judgement, I'd have sought a second opinion without hesitation. In the past - I have walked out (or rather) had myself wheeled out 'mid-consultation' after recognising the physician to be lazy or simply disagreeable. Around ten years ago when my young son became seriously unwell. The first paediatrician we saw was, frankly, poor. The questions being asked suggested not just inexperience, but a lack of logical clinical reasoning. I stopped the consultation and requested a more senior paediatrician. My priority was my son, not courtesy. The difference was extraordinary. The senior Paediatrician was an outstanding clinicians. We discussed treatment options, debated the pros and cons, considered contingency plans and decision trees. Her knowledge, critical thinking and genuine care were obvious. I'm only a layman, but I could immediately recognise brilliance. A decade later, I still remember her name. My advice to anyone is simple: trust your doctor, but don't surrender your judgement. If you have some understanding, ask sensible questions. If something doesn't feel right, seek a second opinion. Good doctors welcome informed patients. This does drift away from the original discussion about buying medication, i.e. Wegovy over the counter, but it illustrates a broader point. In Thailand, patients often need to take a more active role in understanding their treatment. The standard of care can range from average to exceptional, and being informed enough to ask good questions is rarely a disadvantage. It's no different in my own profession. I enjoy it when junior colleagues challenge me. Some questions are naïve, some are excellent, but the best ones expose something I hadn't considered. That's how all professionals improve. None of us knows everything. As for medication, I remain cautious about taking more than is genuinely necessary. Thailand has a reputation for prescribing generously, and on one occasion I was given a substantial amount of codeine-based pain relief. I used very little of it because I didn't feel I needed it. I managed my pain in other ways where 'I felt' appropriate rather than relying solely on opioid medication. i.e. booze, marijuana and Krathom - all effective at pain relief - all with their own risks too. That was my personal decision, but it also reflects why I think patients should understand both the benefits and the risks of any treatment they're given and also what medications they are purchasing over counter.
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