Medical Safety And Doctors

[Jack Peterson]

2 minutes ago, mogo51 said:

 

I liken many Australian 'specialists' to armed hold up merchants.

 

 I guess this could be anywhere but how do these people think it is right to Charge say 400 peso a day consultation and probably 3 times that when we all know and well reported, that Even for Manila The daily Wage is what? 400 per day max, ( Lucky her in Dumaguete if they get 250 per day, and then of course, this Figure for the Specialist is Not covered by Philhealth, so haggling is the only way to get it Dropped (if Possible)

[Dave Hounddriver]

5 hours ago, JJReyes said:

What you need is a primary care physician affiliated with a very good, private hospital

I totally agree with that.  Triple like.  Well said.  Get the best, most respected primary care physician you can find and afford.  The hospital gives that same respect to her/his patients and it means you will be more likely to get better care and a better room.

Unfortunately I have not yet followed this advice but I have seen others do so with excellent results.  Remember I spoke of 4 friends admitted to Siliman?  The 2 who survived had excellent, well respected primary care physicians.  The two who passed on did not.  Coincidence?  Maybe.

[Larry45]

On 6/22/2016 at 7:00 PM, RBM said:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck with your foot issues....I suffered from that a few years back.  The cause was wearing cheap slippers without arch support, and being a little overweight.  It took 4 months to heal.

 

Back to doctors, when you add in a child to the mix, the issues are compounded.  We couldn't find an OB-GYN that wasn't gung ho about doing a c-section on my wife, because as they scientifically analyzed, "she is small and you are big".  They completely ignored the ultrasounds showing a perfect uncomplicated positioning, and a very small baby.  We finally had to hire midwives and the private maternity hospital to do the job, as any surgery here is just too risky.  All went well with the birth and a pediatrician was attending to the child, when I showed my face.  Then there were instantly many complications, infections and issues.  It was obvious the kid was healthy, and not running fever, so we signed the waiver and walked out a day later.  I took a urine sample myself and had it tested, and of course, there were no issues at all.  It really sucks when you cannot even trust medical practitioners.  Sure that can happen anywhere, but I'm certain there was some sort of confusion with many (not all) new Filipino doctors and they instead took a "Hypocritic Oath"     

[Nephi]

1 hour ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I totally agree with that.  Triple like.  Well said.  Get the best, most respected primary care physician you can find and afford.  The hospital gives that same respect to her/his patients and it means you will be more likely to get better care and a better room.

Unfortunately I have not yet followed this advice but I have seen others do so with excellent results.  Remember I spoke of 4 friends admitted to Siliman?  The 2 who survived had excellent, well respected primary care physicians.  The two who passed on did not.  Coincidence?  Maybe.

Staying alive and well or getting well extends past the hospital and or doctors office. Prescribed medications can have interactions with other medications that can cause minor problems or even death depending on the combinations.

Doctors here or anywhere in the world can make an error when giving you an Rx for meds. Sometimes this can occur with first time medications or adding medicines to ones that you currently take. Each time my doctor prescribes something for me, I buy the meds but before taking, I always use this Multi-Drug Interaction Checker just to be very-very sure of the combination of the meds. If I have any questions or concerns I email my doctor and he will let me know if I'm good to go with the new med(s). Never hurts to be sure and gives one an added layer of security and safety.

 

Nephi

[chris49]

On ‎6‎/‎23‎/‎2016 at 4:00 PM, JJReyes said:

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.

 

 

I do not know if it's unfortunate or not.

Private physician cash payments is one of the bigger rip offs here in the Philippines. Not only that it's tax free and they have never closed that loophole.

[RBM]

18 hours ago, Larry45 said:

Good luck with your foot issues....I suffered from that a few years back.  The cause was wearing cheap slippers without arch support, and being a little overweight.  It took 4 months to heal.

 

Back to doctors, when you add in a child to the mix, the issues are compounded.  We couldn't find an OB-GYN that wasn't gung ho about doing a c-section on my wife, because as they scientifically analyzed, "she is small and you are big".  They completely ignored the ultrasounds showing a perfect uncomplicated positioning, and a very small baby.  We finally had to hire midwives and the private maternity hospital to do the job, as any surgery here is just too risky.  All went well with the birth and a pediatrician was attending to the child, when I showed my face.  Then there were instantly many complications, infections and issues.  It was obvious the kid was healthy, and not running fever, so we signed the waiver and walked out a day later.  I took a urine sample myself and had it tested, and of course, there were no issues at all.  It really sucks when you cannot even trust medical practitioners.  Sure that can happen anywhere, but I'm certain there was some sort of confusion with many (not all) new Filipino doctors and they instead took a "Hypocritic Oath"     

Thanks for the good wishes, seems at times I certainly need them!!.

Sorry to read your situation and yes it shows there are unscrupulous medical professionals out there. Not sure its the majority or minority. Perhaps my personal experiences have been very fortunate as not uncounted this anywhere.

Well... actually (sorry if bouncing around here) but in NZ some years ago went to a sports doctor Re. tennis elbow and was a total of 10 minutes in there. Two minutes telling me no cortisone injection and 8 minutes about chicks in the Philippines. Went to pay bill $450 sir.....I refused to pay, asked to revisit the doc. Secretary spoke to him, sorry sir he is busy please pay, which I refused. left number said have him call me.

later the big boss called explained he spoke to the doc and bill stands. My reply, not with me, cut it or no payment. heard nothing more and remains unpaid.

[jpbago]

On 6/21/2016 at 9:14 AM, scott h said:

IMHO if you have western level medical insurance or a substantial bank balance you can get western quality health care. If not?.......................

If not, you go to the USA like some of the people do. Ex DOJ UnSec Baraan is there now...for medical treatment. Actually I think he is hiding under the sheets. I often read of politicians going to the most expensive place (USA) so I wonder about the best hospitals/doctors in Manila.

[robert k]

5 hours ago, jpbago said:

If not, you go to the USA like some of the people do. Ex DOJ UnSec Baraan is there now...for medical treatment. Actually I think he is hiding under the sheets. I often read of politicians going to the most expensive place (USA) so I wonder about the best hospitals/doctors in Manila.

Maybe they hope they can claim political asylum if/when "stuff" gets real?