American Healthcare vs Thai healthcare

*Disclaimer: this post is again solely based on MY experiences and may not necessarily be the same as the experiences of others with healthcare in America or in Thailand.*

Healthcare.

Healthcare is another hot button topic. Healthcare costs can plunge an entire family into life-altering debt, but it can also save your life. Love it or hate it, it's a necessary part of life.

I have experienced hospitals and interacted with both doctors and nurses in America and Thailand; here is my experience in both countries.

Good Ol USA:

Before I moved to Thailand, I tore multiple ligaments in my ankle and was not able to walk. I immediately went to the Emergency Room. MANY stacks of paperwork were filled out and I could not be seen by any medical professional without signing over consent and showing proof of identification. Three hours and one x-ray later, I was given a brace and crutches and told to go home, load up on ibuprofen, and rest. I only saw the doctor for 5 minutes and was not given any prescription medication to be included in the total cost.

Total time spent waiting: 2 hours

Total time spent receiving care: 1 hour

Total cost before insurance: $1800 USD

Total doctor interactions: 1 interaction totaling 5 minutes.

Thailand:

Last March I suddenly became very ill. I couldn't even keep water down and lets just say everything was coming out both ends. I was almost quarantined at the airport and spent an entire flight on the bathroom floor. As soon as my plane landed, I went to my local Thai Emergency Room. In Thailand you can choose to go to a private hospital or a public hospital. Public hospitals typically cost less than half of the price of a private hospital, so they are a wonderful option. I immediately walked in and was seen by a doctor. I filled out no paperwork and barely flashed my id to the receptionist. I was seen by multiple nurses and met with a doctor 4 times. I was given an IV, warm blankets, and kept informed. I left the hospital 5 hours later and with three weeks worth of prescriptions.

Total time spent waiting: 2 minutes

Total time spent receiving care: 5 hours

Total cost without insurance (including 3 weeks of prescriptions): $35 USD

Total doctor interactions: 4 interactions. 

More differences:

-Thai people typically go to the hospital MUCH more frequently than most Americans. When my students have a small cough or sickness, they often immediately head to the hospital and often stay for days at a time. (Obviously there are times when this hospitalization is needed, but kids seem to be hospitalized much more here). I'm not sure if doctors here encourage this, or if this is led by patients/ parents.

-Medication. Most medication can be purchased over the counter and can be purchased for a MUCH cheaper price than in America. Examples of medicines I have seen available over the counter: adderall, contraceptives, heavy pain medicines, cold medicine, stomach medicine. 

Cost of typical allergy meds? $10 USD for three weeks worth, without insurance. 

-Much more medication is also given out here. When I am sick, pharmacies give me AT LEAST 4 different medicines each time. 

-Hospitals. Going into many (public) Thai hospitals is like stepping back in time. The nurses all wear little fold up hats, white shoes, skirts, and look like they are from the 1950s, they even push around the classic little metal carts with medication and charts as well! Although the hospitals often look this way, they are very clean, sterile, and hospitable to those in need. 

-Family involvement.

This is a big one. When teachers are sick in my small community, families often pool their money together to pay for the sick teacher's bills. They also visit the teacher often; bringing fruit, medicine, food, and well wishes. Even if the teacher is sick at home with the flu, you can count on AT LEAST two families asking if they can bring food, medication, or food for the teacher. I could never imagine those things happening in America!

(Not my photo, photo is of Bangkok hospital).