very well written, when I was pregg with Katelyn I had some really weird pains early on, I was taken to the hospital and after 10 minutes of talking to the doc I left the room to ask the nurse to get me another doc, he couldnt even understand "sorry can you please repeat that"

 once another doc came in he checked me over and I was fine to go hom, lucky for me is was nothing to worry about.

one of my friends also had her baby in the same hospital and her labour and delivery were so bad she needed surgry to reconstruct her bits and pieces!! once again the doctor was not aussie and couldnt speak any english.

I'm not agenst all foreign doctors, I just feel they need to learn english before they try to service the ill of australia

just my opinion.

I do understand what you mean.  I've had my fair share of foreign doctors that have not really known what they are on about.  Probably the funniest was me walking into this doctors surgery to ask for a pregnancy check up. He took one look at me and said ýou aren't pregnant, but you do need to do something about your weight!!!!'Um, I was 8 months pregnant and huge!!!!  Not only that, but bubs was giving a good rib tickling that even the receptionist had seen!!!  Then there was one doc at the Gold Coast Hospital (foreign) who wanted to send me home when I could barley sit up!!! I had severe and persistant morning sickness and he wanted to send me home even though my blood pressure was severly low, I was dehydrated to the point it could have caused major organ damage and I couldn't even sit let alone stand!  Thankfully, the ob came down and said I was staying!  Another classic would be about 10 years ago, I went to this doc (on the recommendation of a teacher!) with a bladder infection.  This guy told me I only needed to keep my knees together to strengthen my thigh muscles!  Yup, 3 days later, I was at a different doctors surgery barely able to walk and peeing green mixed with blood!!!  Oh, and the teacher in the end said that she forgot the 'quack'was a bit touchy feely.

Having said all that, the doctor I had with my first pregnancy was amazing!  He was a foreign doctor, but he was fabulous!  He knew his stuff and took care of me like I was the Queen! (might have had something to do with the fact he didn't often deal with pregnant women- the area was a retirees haven!).  He really took the time to explain everything to me, and I mean everything right down to those embarrasing details that make you squirm! lol.  He is the reason why I am able to provide a lot of knowledge to others that most doctors won't tell patients.

Oh, and for the record, the gp I have now, he's from South Africa and is an amazing doctor as well.  Only problem, it can take a month to get in to see him!

I can't believe how stupid the system is down in Tassie.  Come to queensland! lol.  You don't have to register with a particular doctor at all.

I think maybe it is being marked down as there is not much "parenting" advice here, though there is "advice" it is not purely parenting.  I think as parents we need to ask lots of questions, we need to find medical staff we can relate to and who understand us and our needs and who are clear to communicate with us - especially where our children are concerned.  I too would be concerned at a doctor who had to look up their medical textbook to diagnose.  I understand how you feel, but I just want to add that this applies to all doctors - not just those who are from overseas - and if you are not happy with someone be vocal (not rude) and ask for a second opinion.  I have had some brilliant doctors (including foreign doctors - especially the obstetrician who delivered my daughter) and some pretty ordinary ones - and nationality was not the only factor.  Thanks for an interesting debate!

I had many problems finding a good GP for many years, then in 2003 I found a wonderful wonderful male GP who I have been seeing ever since. He has seen me through my last pregnancy and will be supporting me through this one. He always has something to try when no-one else has a clue what is going on, and (this is the unbelieveable part!!!) if he feels something has gone beyond his scope he refers me to a specialist who will be able to help me immediately. No professional jealousy, he's aware of his limitations and knows the best people to help with whatever I've thrown at him. Personally I think he should get a squillion $$$ for what he does but I'm pretty sure he only gets paid around what I earn- yes, a good wage but for Pete's sake, I don't save lives for a living!!

Lucky for me and others he obviously isn't in it for the money. Don't know what I'd do without him.

Moral of the story- if you find a great GP stick to them like glue!

I cannot beleive that this has been voted down if you vote down atleast say what you think.....

Tassie you have written this well and you bring up a fairly valid point... There is a huge shortage of doctors in general in rural areas regardless of their country of origin.  I think this is ranking lower than it should because you need to add some advice.  How do you think it could be rectified?  What precautions (if any), should people take when dealing with Doctors from other countries?  How can communities get together to encourage better medical staff to their area?  Get thinking I am sure you can add some really good tips and ideas to this to bring the ranking up to match your writing skills.

I actually think the quality of doctors foreign or not has left ahellavalot to be desired.

I worry that an emergency arises do I risk it and go to the hospital and try my luck?

I hear what you are saying, however you cannot apply this thinking to all foreign doctors as some are fantastic.  When i had my daughter under emergency conditions with which i experienced severe complications as a result of pre eclampsia, i didnt have a choice of which doctors i had for my care, and yes most of them were foreign.  And i have to disagree with you as they were mainly foreign and i could not fault them for their knowledge and professionalism.  I do however have my own personal doctor who is a female Australian who i have selected as my family physician as she is who i feel most comfortable with and if she was from another country this would not change my mind.  I think a doctor is a personal choice and it is very important to seek out one that you trust and feel relaxed with - and that may be one from overseas.  Maybe the bad experiences you have had are not necessarily the doctors fault but the practices themselves for the quality of their selection criteria for staff.  If you are not happy maybe you should speak up to the leading physicians at these clinics and maybe the quality of their service can be more closely monitored. I hope you find a doctor that you are happy with.