By Eliot C. Heher, MD
Establishing a comfortable relationship for each family member with a qualified primary physician is a step every expatriate should take before arrival in their host country, if possible. Assignees who do so will avoid significant worry and stress -- and possibly treatment delay or medical complication -- when a bronchitis, ear infection, or more serious illness occurs. Using HTH's Doctor Search, expatriates can now search for a physician and review his or her credentials before they leave home. In many cases it's even possible for the expatriate to email the HTH physician before they leave home, to introduce themselves and their families.
After selecting a physician, the expatriate should arrange an introductory appointment as soon as possible, before they become engrossed in the day to day challenges of life abroad. An HTH physician in Brazil explains why this visit is so important:
"The newcomers should go to the doctor upon arrival, before they have any illness, to become acquainted with the doctor and acquire confidence when judgment is not impaired by pain, fever or despair." HTH General Practice Physician, Sao Paulo.
If the visit is a success, the expat should leave the doctor a copy of their medical records. Otherwise, the expat should select a new physician and begin the process again (see below). "Choosing a physician for each family member can be time consuming, but when illness strikes the payoff is enormous."
This is what you should ask during the introductory appointment:
- Bedside Manner. Assess the doctor's style, level of empathy, and his facility with your native language.
"Please note that many of the Japanese doctors who 'mention' that they speak English do not speak fluent or decent English, especially when it comes to daily conversation.
> Next Page of "Choosing a Physician in Your Host Country"
About the Author
 Eliot Heher, MD
HTH Worldwide
A co-founder of HTH Worldwide, Eliot Heher, MD is a board-certified internist who graduated from Harvard Medical School, completed residency training on the Osler Medical Service of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and served as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. Traveling safely with a large family is a particular interest -- he has four kids.
HTH Worldwide helps global travelers identify, access and pay for quality healthcare, worldwide.
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First Published: Jun 22, 2004
