Finding Health Resources When You Live Abroad

Overview How to find and use health resources when living abroad. Planning ahead Learning about local health resources Finding and meeting your doctor Being a good health care consumer Resources

When living abroad, you will want to make sure you and your family have access to good health care. Making the best choice of doctors requires some advance planning and knowledge about the country where you will be living. It is important to learn about cultural differences and the impact they may have on the health care you receive. The information that follows can help. Planning ahead
Before leaving for your familys assignment abroad, there are a number of steps you can take to be better prepared so that you get the best health care services possible throughout your stay. Become familiar with the countrys climate and plan accordingly. Your preparations may include taking certain types of clothing, prescriptions, and medications to deal with allergies or other health issues. There may be vaccinations that your family members should have. The Department of State provides background information on countries on its Web site at www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/. You can also request print information from the Department of State. The Fit for Travel Web site at www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk can help you learn about the diseases and health conditions in your host country. The resources listed at the end of this article may offer other helpful information. Consult your embassy, consulate office, and other sources for information on health services in the area where you will be living. Embassies and consulate offices typically organize lists of doctors for expatriates. Other private sources may be helpful. For example, Highway to Health at www.highwaytohealth.com provides information on medical clinics and doctors by city and country. Bring your family members health histories with you and have copies on hand. This includes each persons medical records, inoculation history, etc. Ask your doctors at home if they are willing to consult by phone or e-mail with doctors in your new location. Be sure your health insurance information is in order. If you are concerned about complete coverage while abroad, you can learn more by consulting with programs that provide health insurance to expatriates. See the list of programs at the end of this article. Bring the medications you will need with you from home. Robin Pascoe, author of Culture Shock!, refers to this as your traveling medicine cabinet. Consider
40026-1003

Finding Health Resources When Living Abroad

bringing enough medication for at least one year. Your traveling medicine cabinet might include: a thermometer; Band-Aids; infant analgesic for fevers or toothaches; an adult analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen; antihistamines; an antibacterial cleansing agent; calamine lotion; anti-diarrhea medicines; antifungal ointments or sprays; rehydration tablets; over-the counter cold medicines; and prescription medications you are currently taking. Bring along a good first-aid book. Be sure everyone in your household knows where the book is. Consider obtaining specialized health insurance coverage if a family member has special health needs or if you will be living far from good health care services. Health insurance for expatriates and special programs like World Care may provide you with the array of medical help you need during your familys assignment abroad. Before signing up, be sure to get references on the policy or program. See a list of suggested programs at the end of this article.

Learning about local health resources

Once you have arrived in your new host country, begin the work of identifying a family doctor and any specialists you may need, including a dentist. Become familiar with nearby health care facilities and hospitals as well. Make a list of the doctors and other specialists you will need to find in your new host country. You will want to find a family doctor or general practitioner. You may also need to find specialists such as a pediatrician, an orthodontist, or an allergist. Find out what kinds of specialists are available and learn about the nearest lab facility. Ask how payment is accepted in the event you need immediate care but have no cash on hand. Find the nearest hospital and learn about its admissions procedures and special services. Learn how to call an ambulance so you are prepared for any emergency. Post the numbers near your phone. If you do not speak the local language, learn how to say your address. Learn about local poison control centers and post phone numbers near your phone. If you have young children, have complete information about poison antidotes and safety measures on hand at home where you can find them easily. Put together a first-aid kit for home and for your car. For information on this, go to the U.S. Homeland Security Web site at www.ready.gov/first_aid_kit.html. Be sure you know how to say key phrases in case there is a medical emergency. For example: He fell down. He has a bad cut. We need a hospital (ambulance), quickly. My phone number is . . . . I need a doctor.

Finding Health Resources When Living Abroad

Understand the prescriptive drug that has been recommended to you. A drug may be prescribed to you under a brand name you have never heard of before. For example, the generic drug, penicillin, is produced and sold in many places under the brand name Dynapen. Although you may not be familiar with this brand, it may be widely available in your host country. The Web site www.rxlist.com, allows you to search on a generic name of a drug (e.g., amoxicillin or naproxen) for information about the various brand names of the drug, its composition, and side effects. You can search by brand name and obtain detailed information about prescriptions drugs you are considering or using at http://www.mythos.com/pharmacy/Index_DrugName.aspx. The Web site www.drugstore.com is also helpful. While this online information may be useful, it is important to check with your doctor about the brand that has been prescribed to you. Different brands mix the drug differently. It is important to be sure you consider allergies you or your child may have to a certain generic drug or brand, and that you rule out a drug that might interact with something else you are taking. A good source for general information about drugs is the U.S. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/default.htm.

Finding and meeting your doctor

Identifying a general practitioner or a pediatrician or dentist for your family is best done after your arrival in your host country. Talk to local people and use online sources to find doctors. Your embassy or consulate office will be able to give you a list of doctors. Your host country may have a professional association of pediatricians or family doctors that can provide lists or referrals. Check online sources as well, such as www.highwaytohealth.com. Also talk with local friends, colleagues, and other expatriates. They may be able to refer you to a good doctor. Everyone has an experience they can share that will help you figure out who to choose to care for your family. You can also call the nearest hospital for a referral. Ask if it has a family practice unit, staff pediatricians, or a referral list of doctors and dentists. Find out about the reputation of doctors. Word of mouth is best. Conversations with other expatriates and friends will help you learn more. You will want to know about the doctors communication style, his training and background, how long he has practiced in the area, and whether his patients have good results and feel well taken care of. Ask the doctor questions to help you understand her practice. Is she accepting new patients? Does she speak English? Is there a lab nearby? What hospital does she use? What days and times does she see patients? Does she have experience with the medical issues your family may need?

Finding Health Resources When Living Abroad

Make an appointment to see the doctor before someone gets sick. This will help you and your children feel more comfortable. This is especially important if you are pregnant and meeting your obstetrician for the first time.

Being a good health care consumer

Cultural beliefs and norms will influence the way your doctor interacts with you and the medical treatment you receive. For example, you may find that there are differences in the type and frequency of childhood vaccinations, or treatment differences concerning such issues as pain management. You may find it impossible to obtain a prescription for certain drugs. Simply meeting with a male doctor privately if you are a woman may be a problem in some eastern cultures. The more you learn about the cultural differences in the practice of medicine where you will be living, the more comfortable you will be with the treatment you receive. This information will help you communicate with your doctor and other health care providers. If cultural differences or your doctors knowledge or interest in a certain medical problem is making you feel that your care is incomplete, you may want to consult your physician back home or travel to a city where you can see a specialist who is willing to use all the methods you feel are appropriate. In addition to understanding cultural differences, you will want to use common sense and good judgment so that you and your family get the best medical care possible when living abroad. Pay attention to your health and your childrens health. You do not want a cold to develop into something worse, or your childs mild case of asthma to worsen. Dont wait to get professional help if you are ill or your child is ill. In evaluating a diagnosis, share your knowledge about your childs personality and temperament, including his tolerance for pain, with the doctor. Pay attention to your instincts about the possible source of the problem. You know your childs history better than anyone. Use a language interpreter available to help you if you are having a hard time communicating with doctors or staff. Doctors, technicians, and hospital staff may have different approaches, offer different treatments, or have a different bedside manner than you are used to. Using an interpreter will help them understand how you feel, as well as pinpoint answers to detailed questions you may have. Always check medicines provided by the pharmacy. Mix-ups can occur. Ask the pharmacist to help you understand the prescription, the dosage, and possible side effects. Get a second opinion if you have doubts or questions about the recommendation. Dont be afraid to ask questions. There are cultural differences in all areas of

Finding Health Resources When Living Abroad

life, including health care. You may be prescribed medicines you are not used to or treatments that are foreign to you. For example, homeopathic medicine is more common in many parts of Europe. If your doctor recommends an herbal remedy, you may want to learn as much as you can about it before using it. You might correspond with your doctor back home to get a second opinion or with a friend who is knowledgeable about homeopathic medicine. Through careful research and double-checking information with expatriates where you are living, you will be able to find good right health care for your family. As is true with health care in the U.S., its important to be a knowledgeable advocate for your familys health.

Resources Country background

Department of State http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/ (see country background notes) Highway to Health

www.highwaytohealth.com (see lists of doctors and clinics by country) Health insurance/medical care Allianz World Wide www.allianzworldwidecare.com BUPA International www.bupa-intl.com
Good Health

www.Goodhealthworldwide.com Medjet Assistance www.medjetassistance.com (hospital-to-hospital emergency travel) World Clinic www.worldclinic.com (see Expatriates) Emergency and travel medicine online
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers

www.iamat.org

Finding Health Resources When Living Abroad

Travel Health Online www.tripprep.com

Health facts
Fit for Travel

www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk (see health facts by country)

The Merck Manual

http://www.merckhomeedition.com/home.html
PPP Healthcare

www.ppphealthcare.co.uk (see health fact sheets)

Web MD www.webmd.com

2003 Ceridian Corporation. All rights reserved.