Doctor House Call when Traveling?

Yeah, some places that still happen. A doctor will actually come to you. No waiting room, no sign-up sheet, and no travel.

On a trip to the Philippines, I rented a small motorbike and explored the area. Well, I don't ride a motorbike often and I overdid it a bit this time. Taking long drives for long hours of the day took its toll on my butt. Not only was it sore each day but I developed a blister in a sensitive area and it continued to rub against the seat of the bike. Eventually, the blister appeared to be getting infected.

Now years ago, I had a similar experience like this while traveling. I had developed a cut between my toes, which I thought nothing about at the time. But progressively it got worse as infection set in. But traveling at the time and not wanting to try to find a doctor in a strange place, I just ignored it and thought I would treat it once I got home by my normal doctor. Big mistake.

The infection had progressed to the point where my entire foot had swollen. It actually had gotten into the bone at that point. I was admitted for the day and intravenous antibiotics injected. One of the more powerful antibiotics. I had to continue that treatment at home with the nurse coming in each day to administer the IV. This went on for a couple of weeks. I learned from that not to let these things go.

Fom my hotel room I called the front desk and asked the receptionist for a recommendation for a doctor that I might visit. The reception responded by asking if I would like to have the doctor come see me. What? Come see me? How is that possible? This ain't the 1940s.

Well, of course, I took him up on it, but was a bit hesitant, because I thought the price of such a home visit would be astronomical even in peso terms. But the receptionist assured me that the price of such a visit would be the equivalent of approximately US$50. Well giddyup cowboy. Bring the good doctor here!

Within about 90 minutes, the doctor was in my hotel room. He was accompanied by a hotel employee which is their policy for some reason. That made me feel a little uncomfortable. I mean I don't mind pulling my pants down for the doctor, but really does somebody else need to be standing there as well that doesn't need to be looking at the stuff?

The doctor prescribed some antibiotics, and that was the end of the story. As you may know from reading a previous post, I carry antibiotics with me in case I ever get malaria. But I'm not sure if those antibiotics will work on infections so, I didn't take the chance. Especially if it's only $50 for a doctor visit.

Medical treatment in many lesser developed countries is extraordinarily cheap by US standards. That's why many people travel to other countries to have their surgeries performed. If they don't have insurance, they can get the same procedure done for maybe 20% of the cost it would be in US. And in many times the doctors are just as skilled.