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Sick on Vacation? How to Find a Reliable Doctor While Traveling
When you are planning a trip, the last thing that you plan for is illness or injury. Unfortunately, these things can occur at any time. If you are on a trip and you get sick or injured, you need to find a reputable doctor to give you the care that you need. Since you are far from home, chances are you won’t be able to get to you own doctor. There are a few ways that you can find a doctor to give you the best care possible.
Contact Your Doctor at Home
If you are sick or hurt, you should contact your doctor and let them know. They won’t be able to treat you, but they will be able to suggest an over-the-counter medication if that is all that is necessary. If you need to be seen, your local doctor may have some advice for you.
Talk to the Hotel’s Concierge
The concierge at most hotels has a great deal of knowledge of the area that you are visiting. This includes medical facilities. Depending on your illness and where you are staying, you might be able to get someone to see you in your room. If not, the concierge can put you in a taxi to get you to the best medical care facility. If you are in doubt about a medical professional’s expertise, it may be wise to seek medical license verification before seeing them.
Go to the Nearest Emergency Room
If your accident or injury is considered an emergency, you should find the nearest emergency room. If it’s somewhat urgent but not life-threatening, look for the nearest urgent care center for help.
Contact Your Local Embassy or Consulate
If you’re traveling outside the country, it can be worrying to trust foreign medical workers, especially if you don’t speak their language. Contact your country’s embassy or consulate for information. Since your medical care is so important, you don’t want anything to get lost in the translation. The best way for you to be able to discuss your pre-existing conditions, your symptoms, and the medication that you are on properly, you should see a doctor who speaks your language. Your embassy or consulate will be able to help you find one of these doctors.
Find Out if Your Hospital Has an International Network
It is a good idea to go online and find out if your hospital has an international network. There are some hospitals who have networks around the country as well as internationally. If yours does, they will be able to easily access your medical records and you should have no problem using your insurance.
Go To the Pharmacy
In certain countries, pharmacies have people on staff who can prescribe medication ad offer medical advice. If your problem is a rash, a digestive problem, or a parasite, someone at the pharmacy might be able to help you faster than it would take to get an appointment with a local doctor.
Get an International Medical Association for Medical Assistance Card
This is something that you should have got before you left for your trip, however, if you get sick abroad, you can get one while you are there. This card is offered through a non-profit organization and they will give you access to a list of doctors who speak your language. Also, you will be able to get access to more services and you will be able to get a list of fixed rates for services.
When you are traveling abroad, chances are you aren’t expecting an illness or an injury. Since these things can happen at any time, you should be prepared. You can use any of the methods listed above to get the medical care that you need.
