We all get sick. Eventually.
Sometimes a trip to pharmacy for some painkillers is the only medical intervention we need.
But other times, we need solid, foolproof, no-nonsense healthcare advice that no one but a board-certified doctor can provide.
What You Need to Prepare Before Visiting the Hospital
There are generally two things you need to bring with you during a hospital visit, your I/C (Malaysian identity card) and perhaps some cash (or your insurance details).
Many companies now make use of mobile apps as part of their staff medical benefits.
So in this case, you only need to bring your phone.
Depending on what ails you, you may choose to go to a general practice, your trusted family physician or a healthcare expert who specialises in your unique medical condition.
Which Specialist You Need to Visit
People rarely seek out specialist help unless referred to by a general practitioner (also known as a referral).
These are often the case with things like skin conditions, respiratory diseases, fertility issues, allergies, hormonal problems and the like.
However, there will also be times when your consultation with your regular doctor was unsatisfactory.
Or the treatments you’ve been receiving have not been effective. This is when you go to a specialist for what they call a “second opinion”.
There have been many cases where a patient’s life have been saved because they trusted their bodies and went for a second (and maybe even sometimes a third and fourth) consultation with specialists. This is especially true with certain forms of undetectable cancers and tumors.
Here are the specialists you need to go to for different types of medical conditions. And here’s a list of hospitals in the Klang Valley area that you can visit.
But if you’re worried about getting good quality medical service, you may be more inclined to visit a private hospital.
Government versus Private Hospitals
It comes as no surprise to anyone why many prefer to go to private hospitals than government hospitals.
Those who can afford the luxury that is.
Insurance definitely makes good quality healthcare a lot more accessible. But for the majority of Malaysians, the cheap route is the only route, even if they receive poor medical treatment.
Your health is no joke, and with the rising cases of diseases, quality healthcare may be the only thing standing between life and death. So does paying more for healthcare mean better service?
A majority of Malaysian seem to think so.
A survey conducted in 2017 found that public hospitals tended to give poor medical service compared to private hospitals. This is most likely due to overwork, lack of resources, lack of funding, and poor management. This is a long-standing problem in Malaysia due to measly financial allocations for healthcare.
Some Malaysians have been said that they’re willing to pay more for services as long as they get better services. The only benefit it seems was it public hospitals were more affordable.
But private hospitals also have their fair share of problems. The above study also found that private hospitals were more prone to malpractice, especially from the administration side.
Scheduling expensive tests that patients don’t need and overcharging on treatment. Another study showed that quality service and waiting times were subpar at best and similar to what you would experience at a public hospital.
So even if you do pay more for private hospitals, don’t expect any red carpet treatment from the staff. You may not get any.
So what happens when it’s time for you to pick the right hospital for you and your family?
How to Choose a Good Hospital
It can be hard to find the sweet spot between affordable treatment and quality service when it comes to healthcare.
But there are ways of increasing your chances of success. Start with the following tips and you may just find the best hospital with the right price.
Go to their Website
Some hospitals have well-maintained websites. Sometimes they even list down the cost of each treatment, including consultation.
If the site doesn’t display this information. You can always make a phone call.
Read Reviews
Nothing reveals the shocking truth quiet like online reviews. The best platform we recommend is none other than Google.
Google Reviews have some of the most honest (and scathing) reviews you can get from the general populace.
Ask Around
If you need another authority on where to find good hospitals, turn to your acquaintances and loved ones.
They are less likely to lie. Moreover, they may even be able to recommend an even better hospital than the one you had in mind.
When Is It Okay to Pay More for Healthcare
Here are some good reasons for going to a private hospital or clinic (or even a specialist) if you can afford to do so.
Expert Advice
The first and most important reason why you should go to a private hospital or specialist is because your current physician referred you.
They will often know what’s best for their patient even if it means bringing business to someone else.
Serious Medical Condition
If you have a recurring or chronic condition that doesn’t seem to want to go away with years and years of treatment, then it’s time to take matters into your own hands.
A resilient illness that reduces your quality of life to the point where you can’t work or enjoy life points to an underlying cause that’s more serious than a 24-hour bug.
Book that appointment and get yourself checked.
Negative Experience
This may be a bit of a shallow reason but if you’ve had recurring bad experiences at public hospitals, then a change of scenery may be in order.
But make sure that you splurge it on something that’s actually worth it.
Time Crunch
Many people turn to private hospitals when they’re in a rush.
While there’s not always a guarantee of speedy service, you will usually end up cruising through the cue with an hour or two to spare.
Choose the Right Hospital for You
We all hate having to go to hospitals, not just because we may have to spend a little bit more than we’d like.
Even if we’ve lived a privileged life, we’ve all experienced terrible service at a hospital. Whether that’s a rude staff, inordinate wait times or terrible facilities. That’s why it’s becoming more and more important that Malaysians take better care of their health.
Not only to lead a long and productive life but also to reduce the financial burden that naturally comes with exorbitant medical expenses.
After all, not everyone has personal health insurance, or even employment benefits.
So remember mums and dads, eat healthy, lead an active lifestyle and manage your stress well. With any luck we can have a hospital-free year ahead without a single case of the common cold to speak of.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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