There is no doubt that the most precious thing that nature can bestow upon us is the gift of a child. They bring us joy, happiness and pride as we watch them grow and develop healthy and strong. From day one, they are dependent on their parents, as such, we nourish, protect and care for their every need. There are, however, times when parental love and care is not enough.
There will be times when sickness or accident befalls a child. It is at these times that non-parental skills are required, the skills of a trained physician. It is almost instinctive in knowing when a child is in need of professional help from outside the parenting circle. A parent knows when it is time to take their child to a doctor or to call for emergency help.
But where, in a vast metropolis like Bangkok, should a parent go. A parent needs to be sure their child is in the care of fully trained specialist doctors. Doctors that understand the unique circumstances that sickness and injury can present when befallen to a young developing body. A wise parent will already have these eventualities covered, but how do they know where to go and from whom to seek help for their child?
Bangkok is now recognized as one of the world’s leaders in quality medical health care, all across the vast spectrum of disciplines that make for a comprehensive service. The city has some of the most modern hospitals to be found anywhere in the world. All the major hospitals are furnished with state of the art equipment and utilize cutting edge technology and techniques to deliver a world beating service.
What is a Pediatrician?
Pediatricians are doctors that specialize in the health and wellbeing of children up to the age of 18. A pediatrician is specifically trained to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of childhood illnesses and injuries. This can range from minor health problems to serious multi-faceted diseases with complex and protracted treatment programs.
After graduating as a doctor from medical school, to become a pediatrician, a three-year residency program must be completed in pediatrics. Medical board certification is only given after the passing of extensive and rigorous exams. Once qualified, a pediatrician is required to undertake ongoing, regular education.
Finding Your Pediatrician
Finding a doctor to treat your child will depend on numerous factors and every parent will have their criteria from which they make their choice. A useful tool is the “Thailand Medical News”. On this collaborative platform there is a register of doctors along with their professional credentials and specialist area of medicine. The platform is easy to navigate, informative and invaluable for those who may not be overly familiar with Bangkok’s medical facilities.
It is also important to research the hospital from where a doctor practices. Fortunately, Bangkok has some of the world’s leading hospitals, all of which have qualified Pediatricians. Within the capital there are hospital groups, such as Samitivej, that have designated children’s hospitals and well-baby clinics.
Searching for dedicated facilities such as these is advisable. Being singularly focused on the health and wellbeing of the young ensures that all efforts and resources are channeled in one direction without distraction or deviance. The diagnosis and treatment of our children’s health issues should never be compromised, by choosing a dedicated children’s hospital or clinic, that can be assured.
At these dedicated facilities, there are practicing doctors in all the sub-specialist areas of pediatrics. For example, Dr Parichat Khaosut specializes in allergy immunology at Samitivej Hospital following her residency at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Associate Prof’ Suroj Supavekin whose specialist area of medicine is that of pediatric nephrology.
Location an Access
Location and access to your chosen pediatrician and the hospital from where they practice may not be the first thing that springs to mind when searching for a pediatric doctor. But it is an important factor to be considered. Is the facility close enough to your own place of residence and accessible to you given your own transport options?
This is a pertinent question, not only for the indigenous resident population, but also for foreigners residing in the kingdom, be it on a short or long term basis. It is also a vital for the growing number of people that recognize Bangkok as now being the first choice for medical tourism.
In recent years, medical tourism has become a realistic choice for more and more people from countries where medical treatment has become excessively expensive, inadequate or unavailable. Bangkok is now looked upon as the primary destination for exemplary care offered with a policy of realistic, affordable pricing.
When all Factors of Choice Come Together
Who, where and what will it cost? These are the pertinent questions is finding a pediatrician to treat your child. Who can I trust with my child’s health and well-being? From where do they practice, can I easily access the location? Will the care be affordable and offer value for money? There is one way in which you can ease you own thinking as you try to make sense of a complicated conundrum.
The Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA) may hold big sway in your decision making. Choose a hospital group that has consistently been hailed as the best in Asia year on year and is consistently ranked in the world’s top ten. The accolades and accreditations from the MTQUA are not given out lightly. Hospitals are ranked through careful assessment of all factors associated with medical care, from assessment, diagnosis, treatment and cost.
With a city so blessed with fine medical establishments, choosing a doctor for your child may be seen as something of a minefield. So, keep it simple. Check out the individual pediatricians on the platform operated by the Thailand Medical News, their qualifications, residencies and certifications. Research the hospital from which they practice, check out their accreditation, such as from the MTQUA. Also, quite simply, use maps. Look at the facility’s exact location, its accessibility and transport links.
Only when you can tick a positive box against these three sets of criteria, make contact. It should always be borne in mind that, in putting the health welfare of your child in someone else’s hands, is a big step which should seamlessly develop into a journey of trust. With the best pediatricians in Bangkok, you can be assured of a journey of trust, care and respect.
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