Bangkok Hospitals- Sports Specialists

[donaldinho9]

Hi All,

Need to see a sports specialist about my foot/big toe. Anyone know any good foot/toe sports doctors in Bangkok? Likely need an x-ray at least, possibly an ultrasound as well. Any and all information is very much appreciated! Thanks everyone!

[Sheryl]

https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Bavornrit-Chuckpaiwong

[rjbangkok]

the sports clinic at SMATIVJET on soi 49 is excellent....personally have used them.....

[smutcakes]

the sports clinic at SMATIVJET on soi 49 is excellent....personally have used them.....

Same for me, had a very bad knee from excess sport and went there.

In and with a specialist within 10 minutes, scans etc All very professional and efficient.

it is a dedicated sports injury section of the hospital.

[donaldinho9]

Thanks everyone! Any idea on what I should expect to pay at Bumrungrad and SMATIVJET?

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[donaldinho9]

Also at SMATIVJET did you have to make an appointment beforehand or did you just show up/walk-in? Thanks!

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[smutcakes]

You can just walk in, but i would advise against going on a Saturday or Sunday.

Difficult to say on the expense depending on what they do or give you, but it is not cheap so if you are on a budget i would probably not go there.

[donaldinho9]

Any ideas on what the cost of an X-Ray and doctor's fees would be at both hosptials? Cheers!

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[Sheryl]

Consultation = about 2000 baht inclusive of doctors fees and hospital charge

Xrays = maybe 1000 baht per film

Prices at Samitivej and Bumrungrad are about the same. Note that doctors set their own fees at both places so consultation fee will vary according to the doctor you see.

Do not buy any medications at the hospital pharmacy, there is a huge (300-500%) mark up, Note what the med is and, if you really need it, buy it at an outside pharmacy. Exception if the med is a restricted substance (narcotic, steroid) in which case have to get at the hospital.

[donaldinho9]

Ok, thanks Sheryl! I remember too going to St Louis Hospital before and they took my blood pressure and weighed me upon arrival and charged a couple hundred baht for that as a nursing/administrative fee! I went there a second time and didn't let them do it and wasn't charged. Is this normal procedure? Pretty sure the nurse didn't write down that information anywhere! Is it like this at Bumrungrad and SMATIVJET?

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[Sheryl]

The hospital fee (which may be described on the bill as a nursing charge, the term for nurse and hospital being basically the same in Thai) is a charge for use if the hospital facilities and you cannot avoid it by refusing to have your vital signs taken. The consultation fee goes directly and entirely to the doctor, who is an independent contractor. And yes, there will be such a fee at both Samitivej and Bumrungrad.

[smutcakes]

Consultation = about 2000 baht inclusive of doctors fees and hospital charge

Xrays = maybe 1000 baht per film

Prices at Samitivej and Bumrungrad are about the same. Note that doctors set their own fees at both places so consultation fee will vary according to the doctor you see.

Do not buy any medications at the hospital pharmacy, there is a huge (300-500%) mark up, Note what the med is and, if you really need it, buy it at an outside pharmacy. Exception if the med is a restricted substance (narcotic, steroid) in which case have to get at the hospital.

As far as I can tell you dont really get a great deal of option on not buying at the hospital pharmacy, at Samitivej at least. After seeing the doctor, you proceed to pay, and then pick up your perscription.

Unless you want to go line by line with the doctor during your consultation noting everything down and what you may be able to buy elsewhere.

Is there any point going to a good doctor to be diagnosed, and then picking and choosing which meds you require from those they prescribed? (aside from perhaps ibuprofen or other over the counter pain killers)

[Sheryl]

You do have a choice. You can decline the meds at the counter. (I usually just say that I already have them). There are 2 options for that. The first is at the cashier, when they give you the bill, insist on knowing what the meds are. The second is wait till you get to the pharmacy window, look at them noting what they are, then decline them. They will send you back to the cashier to adjust the bill and refund you the portion that was for the meds.

the second approach is the least hassle but takes longer.

However I can't imagine consulting a doctor and not discussing with him/her what treatment they were prescribing....including asking the exact name of the drug(s).

Not sure what you meant by the picking/choosing. It is common in Thailand for doctors to automatically prescribe multiple drugs of which only one or two are actually needed, the others being paracetemol, vitamins and the like. In fact I suspect, though not sure, that in some cases these are automatically added by persons other than the prescribing doctor. Private hospitals make huge profits from their pharmacies and are well known to engage in questionable practices to maximize this.

I see no problem with foregoing such obvious drug "add-ons", but of course should not forego any medications that actually treat your condition - which recommended treatment you should already know, having discussed it with the doctor during the consultation.

Almost everything can be bought elsewhere. The most notable exceptions are: narcotics, psychotropics, and steroids.