I also think so they won't emigrate but this Austrian couple who said they operate a clinic do not seem to be happy about billing the govt for medical bills, instead they were very happy to hear that in Spore all the bills are paid by patients. Anyway their life seems to be good leh saying they keep three horses for riding.
When patients pay they are the real decision makers not the doctors. On the other hand the doctor has to take responsibility for the patient's care as well.
I'll give you an example. A patient has poorly controlled diabetes. She needs to get regular blood work done to monitor her diabetes. This costs money. In addition we need to increase her medication. This increases the cost to the patient as well.
Often in the private sector, the patient will kpkb about cost. She will decline the blood tests. She will decline the increase in medication. She continues to have poorly managed diabetes despite seeing her doctor regularly. Who is responsible?
You could say, well it is the patient's decision but tell me which doctor will be happy working and helping patients knowing they are not well managed?
Well I guess many Singapore GPs close one eye on this. Just reassure patients say "jiak yok eh sai liao mian giah" when in truth we know it is a matter of time before they get a stroke or heart attack or kidney failure or go blind.
The other way is to refer to Polyclinic. But if everyone refer to OPD then clinic no more business.
I suppose Austrians will treat high end wealthy patients who should have no problem paying. They are probably upset that they have to pay high taxes to fund all the health care. But hey it allows the doctors to do their jobs properly without having to talk about $$$. I used to spend time explaining to patient what the problem was and what we should do. They agreed. Then when it came to price they would say cannot afford. Then how? If I said ok lah like that cannot do this and that test, don't take that medication then they would say " I thought you said important leh?" Then I would say but you cannot pay then how? I also working for people get salary I not boss leh. Then patient would curse me saying all I want is their money.
Cannot win lah. Only way is to have no conscience don't give a shit about the patient's well being, just go through motion, say everything ok. Lie. I cannot do that.