Erin Fitzgerald, Living Abroad, LLC There are few sentences more stressful than “Meet us at the urgent care center as soon as you can,” even under ordinary circumstances. For an international assignee who is already working toward cultural agility and local familiarity, a family medical emergency can be even more stressful.
While it is very likely you will not have to make an emergency visit to a medical facility while on assignment, some preparation is still a wise idea. Here are some steps you can take that might help in emergency and everyday situations, both at home and abroad.
Regardless of the source of your plan, make sure you have the most recent information. Knowing the basic answers to some questions can help you make initial decisions.
Does your country of residence or nationality affect the medical care available to you in your host location? Are your choices of clinician, facility, treatment, or medication limited in any way? At what points must you obtain authorization from your provider in advance? Do you have telephone or online chat access to a nurse? Is there supplemental care available to you, such as prevention classes? What mental health services are available? In regions where medical evacuation occurs, what actually takes place?
Be sure to take note of any elements of your plan that could have an effect on specific health concerns in your family.
Whether routine or emergency, medical care and services can vary dramatically from location to location, even within the same country. In your current location, is it more efficient to travel to a medical facility by ambulance in an emergency, or to drive there? Are the nearest and/or best facilities designed for public clients, private clients, or a combination of both? What specialists are available? What services are provided to patients? Are records kept on paper, or digitally? Are doctors fluent in the same languages you are? Is a practitioner’s medical training and practice oriented in a similar culture to your own, or another? How are prescriptions issued and filled?
Facility representatives can be good sources of answers for questions about internal workings. Embassies, schools, and other expatriates can be useful recommendation resources.
Medical facilities and providers may not have close connections or awareness of your family healthcare professionals, clinics, plan providers, or other non-emergency medical contacts. Have that information at the ready: in your mobile phone, on a card in your wallet, and with your other important documents. A medical information contact directory is also a good place to put any directives or special instructions that may be needed for family members. Depending upon your location and circumstances, it may also be worth obtaining a local language translation of medical records in advance.
If a family member has a condition of which emergency medical personnel should be aware, consider purchasing a medical ID bracelet or necklace. Many styles and options are available, ranging from a metal charm with basic information to a weatherproofed USB drive.
In most types of emergencies, including medical emergencies, communication quickly emerges as a key component. Establishing points of contact for different tasks can be very helpful. For example, someone can take up the role of spokesperson, providing regular updates and answering questions for friends and family. This can free up parents or partners to focus on the emergency at hand. Others may be helpful by performing tasks such as bringing in the mail, watering plants, and feeding pets at your home. While not all tasks and helpers can be anticipated ahead of time, knowing your own family’s strengths and challenges in such areas will help you make connections when they are needed, and offer them when others need you.
Just a trip to the building can be well worth the time. Note how long it takes for you to reach the destination, from home and work. Are patients and visitors directed to different entrances? Is there a separate emergency department? Is parking limited? Where does mass transportation drop off passengers? At a large facility, how are services and departments organized? Are children and adult patients treated in separate areas?
These can be very useful things to know in advance of an emergency situation, or even just before a regular appointment.
Emergencies can be full of stress and emotion, which can temporarily tamper with cognitive ability. It’s not unusual to have many questions for a doctor...and to feel them all vanish from your mind when the doctor, at last, asks: “Do you have any questions for me?” Nor is it uncommon to hear a newly important medical term for the first time, and be unable to recall it ten minutes later.
Carrying a notebook eliminates much of this phenomenon. Even a small notebook can hold a great deal of information. Write down questions as you think of them, and encourage others to contribute questions. If it is appropriate, take notes during consultations.
While many people prefer to use a mobile device to collect and store information, this can be less foolproof - especially if battery life is a concern. Also, it can be very difficult to speak with a healthcare provider via phone and take notes at the same time... and unfortunately, sometimes one doesn’t find that out until the worst possible moment.
If you are very reliant on your mobile phone, taking pictures of your notes can put everything you need back into one place. Mobile phones can also be a good place to put backup copies of forms. However, use great caution with sensitive information, such as identification or insurance cards, that can be used for fraudulent purposes.
You know that medical emergencies often mean needing quick access to information. Medical emergencies can also mean long periods of waiting - for both patients and their families. A “just in case” bag at the ready serves both purposes. What you place inside this bag will depend on your family’s unique needs, but some suggestions include: copies of medical documentation, regular medication for other family members, toiletries, a book, puzzle or toy, a water bottle, a packaged snack, a notebook and pen, a mobile phone charger, a mobile telephone card with prepaid minutes, and a small amount of cash. Ask others locally what items would also be useful to have in your location.
Most important, think it all over. What would you add to this list? What would you remove? Preparing for something that may never happen isn’t a waste of time when it helps you and your family to newly identify needs, and arrive at effective solutions.
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