There is a general assumption in the Kingdom, and indeed in the Arab world, that European doctors are more professional and efficient than their Arab counterparts.
Although the number of European doctors is high in the Kingdom compared to the number in Egypt or Lebanon, there are equally professional Arab doctors. Unfortunately, there are Arab patients who prefer to be treated by European doctors and hold the view that Arab doctors are less competent.
Women boast that their babies were delivered by a German or British doctor; the nationality of a doctor is certainly irrelevant and perhaps should only be mentioned if there is a question of his competence.
We ask why this idea still exists. The main reason is that in the past — yes — European doctors were better trained than Arab doctors. It is true that scientific and medical research in the West was far ahead of that in Arab countries. Now, however, in the age of modern communications, we send Arab medical students to study abroad to bring knowledge and experience back to their homelands. There are also European teachers teaching in Arab countries and nowadays, medical professionalism in Arab countries has become — if not equal to that in Europe — certainly more advanced than it was.
There are many stories of malpractices in the West; indeed many of them have proven to be true. Have we not heard the same stories here in the Kingdom? Whether here or there, such stories certainly decrease patients’ confidence in both doctors and hospitals. One instance of malpractice is one too many. Unfortunately, however, malpractice is a fact and it occurs everywhere. No country or area is immune to it.
Though medical care is generally of a high standard in the Kingdom, this has not stopped many Arab patients from making unnecessary expensive medical excursions to the West. Excepting only a few cases, most medical problems can be treated here with the same advanced and specialized services available in the West.
Abdullah, who is over 50, explained why he preferred medical treatment in the Kingdom rather than abroad. He suffers from kidney failure and has been treated both at home and in the United Kingdom. "I had been to London for treatment and the doctors and nurses took good care of me. But I cannot speak English and neither can my wife so it was difficult to explain what I was feeling or ask for things. So on top of medical and travel expenses we needed an interpreter and it was just too expensive. Also my wife and I felt lonely away from home and our family. Now I get treated in Riyadh and I have no complaints. I’m near my family and friends and the medical treatment is the same."
Abdullah’s wife said, "I was against the idea of going abroad for my husband’s medical treatment. I felt isolated because I could not speak English and I had no family to support me when I was at my husband’s bedside. As Abdullah said, the doctors and nurses were very good to us but we now have the same treatment in Riyadh."
Medical service is always on different levels in the Kingdom as well as abroad. For that reason, a patient should seek informed expert advice and then go where he can be comfortable and receive the best treatment.
