Importance of deciding the best doctor for your treatment

Though healthcare choices are highly personal, most would agree that excellence and expertise in medical care is crucially important. On the contrary, inadequate screenings during routine check-ups and subpar treatment of critical illnesses may result in inferior care and can have costly and tragic results. This exercise underscores an important realisation: In curing patient, top doctors can have an enormous impact – so much so that the hospital in which they practice generally do not tend to have much of an influence on the outcome.

Also, the practice of shortlisting the hospital first, however reputed it might be, may be a decision against a favourable healthcare outcome, as the hospital might not have healthcare specialists who are renowned for a particular medical speciality. Hence, it is much more important to shortlist the doctor first. As it is, the reputation of the doctor will precede everything else and chances are that he/she will be practicing only in the top hospitals that are equipped with the most modern healthcare infrastructure and facilities. Hence, identifying the right medical specialist will take care of the choice of a high-quality hospital but, conversely, shortlisting a top hospital first may leave a question open on the quality of its resources, especially for a particular medical domain.

For patients visiting top doctors and healthcare specialists, the value of receiving first-class medical care is measured in the quality of the treatment, in a longer life span and also in a financial outlay that is anchored on affordability. Extraordinary examples exist everywhere that demonstrate the point that finding the best doctor can make a significant difference in a patient’s life.

Consider the following case studies.

Rahman, in his early sixties and carrying a few extra pounds, needed a knee surgery. So he chose a physician who practiced near his home. Two years after his operation, he still uses a cane much of the time. A few months ago, his family forced him to visit a specialist. To his dismay, he was told that his earlier surgery had gone wrong and if it was done right, he would be walking upright and without any support.

Parul was examined by her local physician, who advised her that lumps in her breast were likely malignant and recommended an immediate mastectomy. However, closer investigation by a specialist revealed that the lumps were in fact benign and Parul could thus avoid the cost, trauma and pain of a radical mastectomy.

Farookh, a manager at a financial services firm, developed a problem in his left eye. A local ophthalmologist identified glaucoma and told him that he needed immediate surgery. However, Farookh took a second opinion by visiting a top specialist who has been successfully treating him with eye drops ever since.

In curing patients, top doctors can have an enormous impact – so much so that the hospital in which they practice generally do not tend to have much of an influence on the outcome. 

A highly regarded medical specialist is one who has undergone rigorous training, possesses longstanding experience and is vastly respected by his/her peers and the medical fraternity at large. Also important is the fact that he/she constantly upgrades his/her knowledge to remain at the cutting-edge in the world of medicine and on top of their professions. This is especially vital as expertise and leading-edge technology are both particularly important in diagnosing and treating such common modern-day ailments as cancer, stroke and cardiovascular afflictions. Also, administered by a top doctor, sophisticated techniques can help alleviate the sufferings of patients and have higher cure rates,specifically for cancer.

One of the other important characteristics of a top healthcare professional that could help you determine him/her as the best medical resource for your treatment dwells in his/her ability  to empower patients. For instance, in cases where other physicians will force the elderly to avoid, say heart surgery, a top doctor may be able to counsel them with his insights, wisdom and track record and operate on them and achieve excellent outcomes. Also, stroke victims, in the hands of a top professional, can recover to an excellent degree that was earlier impossible to achieve. Moreover, world-class neurosurgeons can deal with bleeding strokes that were formerly considered to be inoperable. The bottomline: The differences between the ‘most-skilled’ and the ‘less-skilled’doctors/surgeons are as much striking as theyare remarkable and top doctors can help patients in ways that are far superior than those provided by others in the medical community.

But while patients intuitively know this to be true, most lack the resources to make the best choices when they fall ill. Many of them rely on referrals from the family physician; yet, even a trusted and competent physician may not be the best source of information. Doctors are busy with their practicesand their referral contacts are usually restricted to their network. Moreover, few have time to research who is the best for a particular procedure or medical problem. That often leaves patients exposed to a key health risk – that of making an important decision based on information that may not be fully accurate.
The differences between the ‘most-skilled’ and the ‘less-skilled’ doctors/surgeons are as much striking as they are remarkable and top doctors can help patients in ways that are far superior than those provided by others in the medical community.

Today, an independent assessment of medical care is more important than ever before. Why? Simply because of inherent vested interests. Pharmaceutical companies are obligated to those physicians who are prescribers of their drugs. Many publications and online resources recommend healthcare providers who pay to get their names mentioned. To several health insurers, a physician’s charges are often a more important factor than quality. Hence, in this scenario, it is crucial for a patient to heed the advice of a specialist who has no such conflicts of interest and who’s core purpose is to help patients find healthcare providers who deliver superior results.

In the context of the criticality of selecting the right medical specialists, general citizens might not have the information of shortlisting top doctors catering to their requirements. They might have to rely on third-party opinions, which might also be inaccurate.

To help mitigate this risk and to connect a patient’s specific medical condition with a top specialist who can then recommend the right treatment course for early and effective cure, healthcare tourism companies like GD Assist are at the forefront to solve this challenge faced by most patients. GD Assist possesses a rich database of top doctors and hospitals in most of the prominent medical tourism hubs of the world and in every medical specialty. This rigorously-selected list is based on professional assessments and not on unreliable third-party commentary or other such sources. Importantly, GD Assist’s intensive doctor selection methodology is designed to identify specialists who will speed patients’ healing, minimise pain and discomfort, shorten recovery periods and enhance and lengthen lives. In other words, help patients achieve the best possible health outcomes.

GD Assist’s intensive doctor selection methodology is designed to identify specialists who will speed patients’ healing, minimise pain and discomfort, shorten recovery periods and enhance and lengthen lives.

So call GD Assist today for an appointment. For in matters relating to healthcare, one cannot take a gamble.

GD Assist

Hotline: 16457; +8801617666888. Email: gdal@green-delta.com

Website:  gdassist.com

Hello Chattogram!

Chattogram might appear as a small dot on the map of Bangladesh. But look closer and you will find that the city has a rich history – and a future that is strong with potential.

Chattogram – eventful past, exciting future

The historical significance of Chattogram can be gauged from the fact that it is a 2000-year-old city. In the past, it was witness to change of power several times – from being an Arab port, to a Portuguese pirate stronghold, to an Arakanese stakeout, before finally being annexed by the British during the first partition of Bengal in 1905. Historical records show that Chattogram had a port even before the city of Bombay, India.

With such influences in the city rich’s historical tapestry, today, Chattogram, which has a population of about 8 million people, is one of the top-100 sea ports of the world and is considered to be the heart of Bangladesh’s economy. This distinction has been bestowed upon the city by virtue of a geographical location that creates the opportunity for easy and cost-effective foreign trade, which is among the largest constituents of the Bangladesh’s economy.

According to reliable statistics, Chattogram generates as much as 40 per cent of Bangladesh’s industrial output, facilitates 80 per cent of its international trade and contributes 50 per cent of the total to the exchequer. Besides, the Chattogram Stock Exchange had more than 700 listed companies with a market capitalisation of about $37 billion in March 2018.

A World Bank report has stated that the Chattogram port is the largest employer in the city, employing as many as 50,000 workers and providing indirect livelihood to several thousands more. In addition, Chattogram is also one of the world’s top ship-breaking destinations that has, in turn, sprouted a number of ancillary industries around the vicinity. This has seeded multiple employment opportunities, while raising the standards of living of the local populace. Also, Chattogram’s international airport is the second largest in Bangladesh and offers convenient connectivity options to the rest of the country as well as to some international destinations.

It is widely considered that Chattogram and its neighbouring districts have immense industrial potential. There are a number of emerging industries such as ship-building, oil refinery, automobile manufacturing, light engineering, furniture industries and home appliances, for which Chattogram can be the most attractive manufacturing destination.

GD Assist enters Chattogram

It is in this city that GD Assist Limited, a subsidiary of Green Delta Insurance Company Limited, has expanded its operations. GD Assist is one of the most reputed medical tourism providers in Bangladesh with a wide range of network hospitals in some of the top healthcare tourism destinations of the world, including India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Through this association, the company is able to set doctor appointments at the best hospitals renowned for their medical specialities within the shortest possible time. GD Assist also offers a comprehensive suite of related products and solutions, including health insurance, visa assistance, air travel and ground transportation services, hotel accommodation, emergency medical evacuation that greatly add to patient convenience. The company also offers a wide range of corporate wellness programs for the benefit of organisations to keep their manpower healthy, productive and engaged.

In a unique and innovative first in the industry, GD Assist has instituted a membership service under ‘Health@Connect’, representing a card that includes health insurance, healthcare services in domestic and international hospitals, discounts in partner hospitals in Bangladesh, second medical opinion service, health tourism facilities, air ambulance services, tele- and video consultation and travel support, including visa processing and other travel-related arrangements.

Through the establishment of an office in Chattogram, GD Assist has opened up the potential to directly serve the needs of the patient population in the city.

With a wide range of medical tourism healthcare solutions, dedicated and professional services and customised itineraries, we invite you to visit our office.

GD Assist

Hotline: 16457; +8801617666888. Email: gdal@green-delta.com

Website:  gdassist.com

15 useful money-saving tips while travelling abroad for medical treatment

Many would know that travelling abroad for availing medical treatment by itself represents a cost-effective proposition. However, few would know how to minimise the ancillary costs to supplement the overall value offered by overseas medical travel. It also happens that though one budgets for all the primary costs relating to healthcare travel, one might not be fully aware of the secondary costs like those associated with conveyance, lodging, food, etc., and ways to minimise expenses related to these.

So here’s a list of 15 useful tips to save secondary costs while travelling abroad for healthcare purposes and come back in great shape – both physically and financially!

  1. Set a reasonable budget beforehand

Before you leave, it’ll be a good idea to research a bit on the city you’ll be travelling to find out more about the cost of living. If you have friends or family members who have travelled to this destination, you can also get information from them. You should plan and budget for your daily expenses for food and transportation and add 15-20 per cent for the unexpected.

  1. Get travel insurance

This is one of the most important points for you to consider. In most countries abroad, you can have recourse to public healthcare in case of an unforeseen medical emergency only at exorbitant costs. Hence, it’s a good idea to consider travel insurance that will cover you for the duration of your journey.

  1. Convert your currency at the home base

It’s always better to get your currency exchanged in your home base. Not only will you be able to get a better rate, hence saving on currency conversion charges, you’ll also save time when you land at your destination. This would be all the more relevant for patients travelling on emergencies.

  1. Save on extra baggage airline charges

Airlines the world over have become more stringent with levying extra baggage weight charges. With a view to avoid paying such levies, which can be pretty steep at times, you should travel light, packing only the necessary items required for the journey. Else, if you have to travel with extra luggage, you can look to pay for this additional baggage online as airlines typically offer discounts if this charge is paid on their portal.

  1. Take connecting airlines with the shortest possible stopover time

Although your medical tourism service provider will take care of this, it would be best to ensure that your layover time at the airport is the minimum possible, which will help you save on accommodation/food costs, while also ensuring minimum patient discomfort during transit.

  1. Use ATMs instead of exchange booths at the destination country

While in the host country, it’s important to be aware of service fees whenever you need to get money on emergency or otherwise. Generally speaking, ATMs will provide lower fees than currency exchange booths. Also, check for banks that are a part of the Global ATM Alliance, which would allow you to use partner ATMs at a lower fee.

  1. Make ATM withdrawals less frequently

Although we made the above point, it must be emphasised that one should make ATM withdrawals as infrequently as possible because of the attendant service charges. Hence, it is best to carry cash or travellers’ cheque.

  1. Purchase a local SIM card

Making international (ISD) calls will be prohibitively expensive from your home number and a needless expense, especially when one considers the predominant option of buying a local pre-paid SIM card. These cards have a variety of calling packs and you can choose the one that is the most-suited for your needs.

  1. Optimise medicine and other consumable costs

Though rare, if the hospital requires you to purchase some medicines and other such consumables from outside for your patient, you can look for a reputed chemist in the neighbourhood and check for a discount, which they usually offer in the range of 10-15 per cent on the total bill. Else, you could also visit a medical wholesaler, especially for the purchase of costly medicines.

  1. Use alternative means of communication

Unfortunately, despite rapid technology advancements, prepaid calling cards have not grown more affordable in many countries. Hence, you can consider using a voice-over-IP programme like Skype to stay in touch with your family members at home.

11. Minimise your food costs

In many countries, restaurants are expensive. Hence, it would be an interesting idea to explore alternative food options like street food (doing this you’ll be able to sample local savouries) or opt for food trucks that have now emerged as a cost-effective idea to have innovative cuisine.

  1. Opt for buffets

In most countries around the world, restaurants offer relatively inexpensive buffet options with a wide variety of cuisine on offer. You can check the local listings in newspapers for such restaurants – and make the most of it.

  1. Check service apartments

If you’re travelling as an attendant along with the patient, you can either check into a guesthouse around the vicinity of the hospital or even go for a service apartment which will have a kitchen, etc., in which you can cook your meal. Else, you can also check co-habitation sites that offer good accommodation options at reasonable prices.

  1. Optimise your transportation costs

You could check for a lodging option in an around the hospital in which your patient has been admitted. Doing so, you’ll not only be able to walk to the hospital but also be available within short notice in case of any emergency. You’ll be able to save on commuting costs too. However, if you have to commute long distances, you can check shared rides (as offered by several multinational ride-hailing apps) or go for public transportation, like the metro.

  1. Budget for post hospital release expenses

If you have decided to stay back for a few days after the release of your patient from the hospital, you should pre-book the accommodation to save on last-minute costs. Doing so will also ensure that you get the time to check a variety of hotels as per the patient’s post-operative needs, rather than rushing for whatever is available.

So go on, look smart with these useful money-saving tips. And yes, consult with GD Assist before you embark on your outstation medical visit. That’ll be a smart thing to do too!

GD Assist

 Hotline: 16457; +8801617666888. Email: gdal@green-delta.com

 Website:  gdassist.com

Balm for the stressed-out corporate employee

Note to self:“It’s not stress that burdens us. It’s our reaction to it that does. So I’ll always stay positive, calm and breathe easy while putting my best at work.”

An employee working in a large corporate had pinned this message on his soft-board. A wellness trainer hired by his organisation happened to walk by his cubicle and, intrigued, asked him why he had displayed the memo so prominently in his workplace. His answer was interesting. He said that his life was one of coming a full circle and a story of transformation. The trainer became very interested and finding a cosy corner in the office and over steaming coffee, he asked the employee to tell him more.

STRESS

Yes, the employee said. This silent killer had entered into his life, slowly, without warning, and then had crept in gradually, every day, until it had engulfed him completely. He had become a victim of stress. But what caused this in the first place?

The employee said that in his early days when he had just joined office, he felt energised to come to work every morning. He was happy to learn the finer aspects of his profession, found bonhomie among his colleagues and his manager was empathetic.

However, over time, the tide turned. Meetings that had been organised for 15 minutes stretched into a couple of hours of sitting in a tight damp environment, causing a domino effect on his schedule in terms of a pile-up of work. A minor disagreement with a senior colleague led to an ongoing skirmish with negative stray comments about his behaviour and attitude regularly being passed by the senior. Soon also, other work started pouring in and deadlines started looming large. More work. Shorter deadlines. Combine the two: More stress.

What had become episodic had turned into chronic stress.

The employee said that he started going home late – sometimes putting in as much as 12-14 hours in office every day. He started neglecting his family and had become extremely short-tempered. He did not have time for anything but work. And slept – anxiously though – for as little as 5-6 hours at night. He was multi-tasking in ever-tighter schedules, suffering from competing priorities and getting loaded with unrealistic timelines. On top of that, his manager was always on the lookout for shouting at him on the slightest of pretexts – in front of others, sometimes even his juniors. Also, he also constantly worried that his phone might ring or ping with an urgent message – or a reprimand – from his manager.

Even at home, his face was either glowing in the light of his computer or he was staring into his phone, as if a message would come anytime. He was constantly on tenterhooks, nervous and anxious and always felt drained-out. Moreover, his health was also deteriorating as he had put on weight and suffered from a headache all the time. Unknowingly, he felt, he had become a victim of the dreaded six-letter word – STRESS.

One night, with his body becoming severely dehydrated, he had to be rushed to the hospital for saline. Plus, he had developed some unexplained rashes on his feet that had to be treated upon with urgency. The next day, the doctors visited him in his room and told him that his health was in poor shape and he should use this visit as a learning to get back in shape. They told him that health was precious and should be protected at all costs. With this sermon, it was as if he had got a new lease of life. That is when he decided he would whole-heartedly embrace something that he promised would become the core mantra of his life.

DE-STRESS

And, of course, pursue a life that is enriching and wholesome mentally, physically and spiritually. It was as if a new day had dawned for him and he began by soul-searching and asking some simple questions: What is a healthy job? What is work-related stress? What are stress-related hazards at work? And how can I control my response to stress?

It was here that the trainer told him that he had always told his audience that a healthy job is one where the pressures on employees are appropriate in relation to their abilities and resources, to the amount of control they have over their work and to the support they receive from people who matter to them. He said that he always explained that health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but a positive state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. A healthy work environment is one in which the staff have made health and health promotion a priority and a part of their working lives.

Exactly, said the employee and one of the first things he did when he was out of the hospital was that he promised he would change his lifestyle and his workplace habits and responses to control stress and regain his health. So here’s what he did:

I promised to start my day right
Earlier, I used to wake up in the nick of time, gulp down my breakfast, combat morning traffic and reach office just in the nick of time.

Today, I wake up early, spend an hour in the park running, exercising and meditating, have a nutritious breakfast (rather than just coffee that I had earlier!) and cycle to office, dodging traffic effortlessly and welcoming a healthy practice to reach to work. I was surprised by how much less reactive I was to stress when I started-off my day with good nutrition, exercises, proper planning and a positive attitude.

I’m clear on requirements and expectations out of me

Earlier, I realised that one of the factors that contributed to burnout was unclear requirements. With not knowing exactly what was expected out of me or when the requirements kept changing with little notice, I found myself to be much more stressed than necessary.

Today, I’m much more clear of my key performance areas and my work profile. When I found myself falling into the trap of never knowing if what I was doing was enough I had an open and honest discussion with my manager on expectations out of me and the strategies for meeting them. This has been a great stress-reliever for me.

I stay away from conflict

Earlier, interpersonal conflicts took a toll on my physical and emotional health and because conflict among co-workers was so difficult to escape, I inadvertently found myself trapped more often than not in gossip, small-talk and back-biting.

Today, I’ve considered it to be the best possible idea to avoid conflict as much as possible. That means I don’t gossip, don’t share too many of my personal opinions about things that are not typically work-related and try to steer clear of small talk that earlier used to drag on for hours on end. This does not mean that I work in a silo. No, I participate in discussions and office humour, but my co-workers know that I have drawn a line and they have come to respect it.

I stay focused and organised
Earlier, distractions used to have a vicious impact on my day, burdening me with work that I could have easily completed had I refused to get distracted.

Today, I plan ahead to stay organised which has come to greatly decrease my stress at work. Being organised with my time means less rushing in the morning to avoid being late and rushing to get out at the end of the day. Keeping myself organised means I avoid the negative effects of clutter and today, I have come to respect the clock and work efficiency.

I have become more conscious of comfort at work
Earlier, I used to spend hours sitting on a creaky uncomfortable chair with my workplace bang in the middle of the office – and chaos.

Today, I have come to notice that the chair, my sitting posture and the location of my cubicle were ergonomically strenuous which led to a lot of physical discomfort. So now I’ve avoided low-grade frustration by changing my chair into a much more comfortable one, altering my sitting posture (for tips on how you should sit right, refer to the box below) and relocating my place into a quiet and soothing area on the floor.

Here’s how you can sit right in office:

Push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair.
Adjust the seat height so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees equal to, or slightly lower than, your hips.
Adjust the back of the chair to a 100°-110° reclined angle. Make sure your upper and lower back are supported. Use inflatable cushions or small pillows if necessary.

If you have an active back mechanism on your chair, use it to make frequent position changes depending on your comfort.
Adjust the armrests of your chair so that your shoulders are relaxed.

Multitasking? What’s that?

Earlier, ‘multitasking’, a fancy buzzword in corporate circles, was heralded as a wonderful way to maximise one’s time and get more things done in a day. I did the same. However, this myth was busted when I started realising that when I had a phone in my ear and was making calculations at the same time, my speed, accuracy and sanity toppled over.

Today, I’ve replaced multitasking with ‘single-tasking’ with 100 per cent concentration. This has not only enabled me to finish my work early but also with accuracy and efficiency. And I only pick up calls that are urgent when I’m doing something important, sending a polite message to the caller that I’ll get back to them later. What single-tasking has done is that it has enabled me to shrink my to-do lists and get back home on time!

Finally, the employee said that making these practices a part of his every day corporate life have helped him transform into someone who is a participative, energetic, healthy and focused worker.

So dear reader, is this a part of your story too? Can you relate to it in any way? Tell us, even as we hope that this article helps you transform your life too!

GD Assist

Hotline: 16457; +8801617666888. Email: gdal@green-delta.com

Website: gdassist.com