Health & Wellness Best Posts in Thread: Recommend a good GP

I would recommend you not go on one"recommendations only". Because someone has had a good experience in one are of medicine here with a doctor does not mean the doctor will be the best for you future medical concerns, particularly if they are in an different area medicine.

I came here 6 years ago with a prostrate issue. I was recommended to a doctor, so I went in to get PSA test to establish "base mark" for future tests. So I got the first test, and then went in 3 months later for the second test. Went to the doctor appointment for a review of the results. Walked in to a smiling face of a doctor with a nice clean desk but no test results. He asked why I was there, then told the nurse to find the test results. When I asked where the test results were from the previous test 3 months earlier... they did not know. He did however almost insist on my getting an operation from him. I refused since I had heard of people dying on the table from simply operations here. He insisted I go to Cebu for a bone scan which I agreed. Which came out good for me. He probably got a referral fee for that. My over all impression was not good and I have not gone back.

My recommendation would be go to a doctor here, and test him out on little things, like getting a oil change on your motorcycle and seeing if the guys put the plug back in. I would visit more than one doctor, they are inexpensive here. Most importantly I would get a relationship with a doctor in Cebu, particularly if you have a specific concern area that you are aware of... a doctor that specializes in your area of concern. If something happens that is life threatening, you will probably have a much better chance in Cebu with a good doctor and a good hospital. There are members here who have gotten good service here in Dumaguete, but there are others who have almost lost their lives before they found good professional care in Cebu. Make out a plan to get the service you need. I do believe most doctors here can handle the smaller things.

 

I wouldn't go to the chief for the simple reason that many people who are complete disasters in their field basically get "pushed" into administration whether it be medical, engineering or most anything else. When a cop screws up constantly, they give him a desk job. Will the guy who has the desk job and is always around the office advance or the person out in the field? Sometimes people rise to the level of their incompetence. Just get some referrals and hope he is the kind who can say he isn't sure and will refer you to someone else on a case by case basis. Hopefully they are not test happy but not afraid to say you need a blood workup, allergy scratch test or whatever.

 

Pretty interesting that even when expatting my government wants to help and/or control me But thanks for the link!

 

It depends a bit on where you settle. We have quite a good clinic in Zamboanguita headed by a very competent GP. She has referred my husband on for specialist treatment in Dumaguete with which we are also satisfied.