Your choice
Selecting your own doctor, rather than having one selected for you, is something you may not have given much thought to. But, unlike in many western countries, here it’s your call and – with so much choice available – it helps to know what to look for and how to make an informed choice about who’s going to treat you or your family.

How qualified?
Firstly, is he or she qualified? All doctors in Thailand need to be certified by the Thai Medical Council. They must complete six years of study and one year of internship in a government hospital before they graduate as a General Practitioner (GP). If they graduate, they’ll be given a license number and a certificate issued by the Thai Medical Council.

GPs must then ‘pay back’ to the government a three-year or longer term working in the government health system. Some GPs elect not to do this and pay a specified sum to have the requirement waived. Currently that’s around 400,000 baht per year, so if a doctor wants to go straight into private practice after graduating, it will cost him – or the hospital he’s hoping to work for – more than 1,200,000 baht.

GPs, once qualified, can go on to become specialists, such as orthopaedic surgeons, gynaecologists or paediatricians. This involves a minimum of three years extra study. Having completed the study, the doctor must pass the final examination of the relevant Thailand Royal College and is then issued another certificate to practice in his speciality. Some Thai doctors do their specialist training overseas, for example in America, where they can also become American Board Certified. This means they’ve passed the requirements to practice in their field within the USA.

Hospital or clinic?
Most foreigners in Phuket will either go to one of the hospitals or to a private clinic if they fall sick or are injured. Hospitals have an advantage because of the large number of doctors they employ. This gives you easier and faster access to specialists. At the local clinic, the doctor may have only completed his initial GP training and may have little knowledge of the various specialist areas. If you’re currently being treated by a doctor, ask him what qualifications he has. Better still, ask to see his certificate(s).

Getting recommendations from friends or others on the island can be useful, and possibly the best way to screen out doctors who don’t treat foreign patients to the level expected – foreigners and Thais have very different attitudes towards doctors.

High esteem
Thais hold doctors in high esteem and look up to them as ‘superior’. They will generally accept what the doctor recommends without question, whereas foreigners demand more from their doctor, ask more questions and are more informed about their illnesses and relevant medication; it’s not unheard of for patients to know more about their own illness than their doctor.

Some Thai doctors are reluctant to explain their diagnosis or give adequate information about the treatment. They simply aren’t used to it and their Thai patients don’t require it. Foreigners do, and if your doctor doesn’t give you an adequate explanation or take the time to satisfy your needs, select one who does. It’s worth the trouble! With so many doctors on the island there’s a wide choice available and finding a doctor who is prepared to answer all your questions should be a major criterion in your selection process.

Develop a rapport
Many foreigners have developed a rapport with their doctor to the extent that they exchange after-hours phone numbers and the doctor is available for house calls and phone consultations. Having, or working towards this type of a relationship and taking an active role in your health care can help you get the best care possible.

Speak up
Don't be afraid to speak up. It's important for you to let your doctor know if you don’t understand something. If you don’t ask questions, your doctor will think you understand everything – or that you’re happy to let him make all the running. If you feel your doctor is overprescribing medication, a common practice in Thailand, complain – or at least ask why the medication has been prescribed.

You’re the customer!
In summary, I’d recommend looking for a doctor who’s rated to give quality care, has trained adequately, is certified to meet your needs, who takes steps to prevent illness (for example encouraging you to stop smoking or lose weight) and can treat you at the hospital or clinic of your choice.

In addition, your doctor should encourage you to ask questions, take the trouble to listen to you, explain things clearly and (you’re the customer, after all) treat you with respect.

Peter Davison is the Manager International Services
at Phuket International Hospital.
Tel: +66 (0)76 249400. Email: info@phuketinternationalhospital.com.