Medical Safety And Doctors

[robert k]

I always get a second opinion from doctor google.

[Larry45]

Nice topic, full of insight and experience, and hopefully one from which others can learn something.  I've had similarly negative visits to hospitals here, and it's quite unsettling once you realize the doctors and administrators really aren't that much different from ordinary vendors or tricycle drivers in terms of morality and integrity.  They are still Filipino, but with an extra dose of ego and arrogance.  You really need to self-diagnose and learn as much as possible about whatever malady or injury for which you are being treated, and be prepared to sign a waiver and walk out much earlier than recommended.  Even Filipinos get gouged here if the hospital thinks they have money.  A friend of mine broke his arm last year and was kept in the hospital for 3 days, with a clean, simple, closed fracture.  They wanted to keep him a week...LOL.  It's really all about maximizing revenues from each and every patient, never mind the general incompetence.  Healthcare is definitely more fun in the Philippines!  
 

[RBM]

1 hour ago, Larry45 said:

 They are still Filipino, but with an extra dose of ego and arrogance.  You really need to self-diagnose and learn as much as possible about whatever malady or injury for which you are being treated, and be prepared to sign a waiver and walk out much earlier than recommended. 
 

Yes no doubt this happens, in fact I have heard first hand accounts of it.

my own experience is mostly positive, having fortunately just received minor surgery over the years there was no price gauging, at least not obviously. 

Just a few days ago I was diognosed with Planter Fascitiis by the ortho at Riverside hospital. Total bill including physio was P400.

 

 

 

 

 

[sonjack2847]

I think if at least they did the correct diagnosis it wouldn`t be so bad. I have heard a few stories of which I know some were true(and not just kissed off expats) where the wrong diagnosis and therefore treatment had taken place. Still for now it is what it is.

[mogo51]

A friend of mine suffered chest pains the other day and went to the doctor only to find b.p 210/110.  In an ambulance and off to Bangkok Hospital.  Good news, he was sorted within a day, but it cost 90k bht.

I suppose you get what you pay for.  Sad but true.

[Jack Peterson]

1 hour ago, mogo51 said:

A friend of mine suffered chest pains the other day and went to the doctor only to find b.p 210/110.  In an ambulance and off to Bangkok Hospital.  Good news, he was sorted within a day, but it cost 90k bht.

I suppose you get what you pay for.  Sad but true.

 "WOW" Ron, Damned Lucky I would say, The last time I heard of BP like that was 4 years ago when a good Friend here in Dumaguete had it that High and it gave him a Stroke, He still can't Walk or Stand on his own.

[robert k]

Part of what I do with doctor google is find out what the World Health Organization thinks should be prescribed for a particular illness. The WHO states the Most effective medicine which should be used and the second most effective in case there is an allergy to the most effective medicine to treat the disease and finally an also ran in case you are severely limited for choice. Helping a friend who the doctor prescribed the also ran that might clear up the disease in 14 days, I bought them what the WHO said was the best which cleared it up in 5 days as the WHO said 5-7 days but I told them to take the full 7 days worth.

The second instance the doctor prescribed one of the drugs most often prescribed for someone who had leprosy, but the WHO said what the doctor prescribed should never be used by itself to treat leprosy, it must be used in conjunction with one of two other antibiotics. The antibiotic that the doctor prescribed alone has only a 30% chance of curing the disease without the second antibiotic which if also used would have raised the effectiveness to the 99% level.

Sometimes you luck out though. I was a passenger on a motorcycle that got layed down in some gravel and I had some road rash. Unfortunately carabao pooped on that road for decades and sunlight never gets to the bottom of the gravel. Instant staph infection. In a small rural clinic the doctor took one look and ordered IV Ampicillin. I was on the mend in 24 hours. Still they tried to say I was a diabetic. The thing is an infection like that will raise your blood sugar...oh, and I was eating a piece of candy when the drew the blood. I'm not a diabetic. Can't win them all.

[JJReyes]

What you need is a primary care physician affiliated with a very good, private hospital. The system is referral, and depending on your medical needs, he/she will refer you to specialists. 

Medicine is a business. It is unfortunate that many medical professionals in the Philippines are stuck with patients who cannot afford to pay or simply refuse to pay. There is really no way to collect on debt. This is the reason why doctors and hospitals demand either cash payment or a large deposit.

Another problem is haggling. After the service has been rendered, Filipinos demand a huge discount. I always make it known to the doctor's staff my ability and willingness to pay for professional services.

 

 

[Jack Peterson]

1 hour ago, JJReyes said:

It is unfortunate that many medical professionals in the Philippines are stuck with patients who cannot afford to pay or simply refuse to pay

 Or can it be said patients get fed up with Over charging Medical Professionals, It works both ways and a Patient is a Captive Audience

 

Jack 

 

Morning All 

[mogo51]

I liken many Australian 'specialists' to armed hold up merchants.  The 'gap' between prescribed fee and what they charge is horrendous.  I had back surgery in Oz, the gap was over $10k. Ouch.