Dubai is globally known for its stronghold of professionals, families, and business travelers. The city, growing by leaps and bounds, with advanced infrastructure and a high standard of living, attracts millions of expats who come in search of career options and a comfortable lifestyle. Nevertheless, when an expatriate is faced with a medical emergency, he or she may find difficulty in getting into another unfamiliar healthcare system, confronting the language barrier, and getting quick access to adequate medical care.
Though Dubai has a state-of-the-art healthcare system with advanced hospitals and clinics, going to a doctor is not really the most convenient or efficient option, particularly in smaller medical cases, late-night emergencies, or when you just want basic comfort. That’s where a doctor on call comes in for all such occasions, thus offering an easy way for expatriates to receive professional medical care at home without any need of stepping out.
10 Reasons Expats Prefer a Doctor on Call for Medical Emergencies in Dubai
A doctor on call service ensures immediate access to professional medical care without the stress of hospital visits. Here’s why expats increasingly prefer this option.
Immediate Access to Medical Care
Time is vital during emergencies. Unlike hospitals, where patients may wait hours before seeing a doctor, a doctor on call gives immediate medical attention. Within minutes of requesting a doctor, a licensed one arrives at the patient’s location, equipped to examine and treat various medical conditions. This instills a sense of comfort among expats who otherwise may not have a preferred hospital or clinic. They know they can depend on getting proper medical assistance these days without delay.
Convenience and Comfort
For these foreigners, a trip to hospital may even become an ordeal. They may be stressed about newer hospital procedures, finding the right hospital, doing the paperwork, and long queues. A doctor on call means medical treatment is coming right to you. After all, they will come to your home, hotel, or even office, serve you in that familiar yet comfortable setting, and spare you the hassle of travelling, letting you concentrate on getting well.
24/7 Availability for Emergencies
Not following any schedule, medical emergencies may occur in the nighttime, during weekends, or on public holidays with very few clinics open as a result. Then comes the blessing of 24/7 doctor on call services, which is securing your entrance into medical help whenever needed. High fever, sudden pain, or an allergic reaction—whatever it may be, you can call for a doctor any time of day or night and be guaranteed immediate medical assistance without waiting for a hospital to open.
No Need for a Hospital Visit
Many cases of illnesses do not always require hospitalization. Colds, flu, mildly infectious illnesses, or stomach complaints are very common and can well be treated in the comfort of one’s home. On-call doctors deliver quality medical care and prescribe medications, when the need arises, without necessitating an actual visit to the hospital. This service thus spares expats living alone, as well as people with limited mobilization, from unnecessarily going to the hospital while ensuring that proper medical care is still exercised.
Ideal for Families and Children
Parents of young children become uneasy when they think of taking their kids to crowded hospitals for fear that their child will catch yet another infection. This is where an on-call physician can safely treat the entire family in their homes. Such a facility is truly beneficial to expat families who might not have a family doctor in Dubai and need advice for their children immediately. Be it fever, flu, ear infection, or minor injury-a home visit from a physician assures that children receive professional treatment without the human stress of visiting a hospital.
Personalized Medical Attention
In the hospital environment, physicians are busy hustling through high patient numbers. Hence, those few minutes of consultation tend to be limited, sometimes without a personal relationship even developing. In contrast, a doctor-on-call will provide an individualized approach-extensive assessment of your symptoms, diligent review of your medical history, and tailored treatment plans. This type of attention plays a significant role, especially to expats who would prefer detailed medical explanations from a doctor who would patiently listen to their concerns.
Overcoming Language Barriers
As one of the challenges that many expats may contend with is facing language barriers in healthcare settings, although Dubai’s hospitals have multilingual staff, miscommunication could always arise, rendering it difficult for expats to accurately relay their symptoms. The doctor-on-call service frequently sends in many multilingual professionals for consultation, which aids in maintaining clear channels of communication. This is beneficial for the patient since it gives them the best experience possible, considering that by the end of the consultation, they would know what their diagnosis is and what treatment options are available for them.
Suitable for Business Travelers
Business travelers who go to Dubai for work may not have the time to visit a hospital when they fall sick. Be it food poisoning or health problems caused by fatigue or jetlag, a doctor on call can promptly relieve medical concerns within a time that does not disrupt their schedule. This service, highly preferred by corporate professionals, allows them to get treated right in their hotel rooms so that they have minimal downtime to continue work commitments without major disruptions.
Availability of Diagnostic Services
Besides general medical treatment, many doctor-on-call services also provide diagnostic testing, including blood tests at home. This is of special value to expats needing routine health check-ups or certain tests for conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, or vitamin deficiencies. Getting lab tests done at the comfort of their homes helps expats avoid hospital queues and thus gain quick access to their results and consequently seek timely medical intervention.
Cost-Effective Alternative to Hospital Visits
Healthcare-related expenses pose an additional concern for foreigners, particularly for those without comprehensive insurance coverage. Emergency room visits are already costly on their own, and outpatient consultations can incur massive fees. A doctor-on-call service would serve as a viable and cost-effective alternative for foreigners, who will still receive the same expertise and care at a relatively lower price. In addition, expats can also save on transportation costs and avoid taking time off work to visit the clinic.
The Final Words
Reliable access to healthcare is key for expats residing in Dubai. The doctor-on-call service is an excellent option for stress-free delivery of high-quality medical care at the comfort of one’s home without the hassle of hospital visits. This includes sudden illness, chronic condition management, or blood sample testing at home, ensuring medical assistance is delivered anytime the expat needs it.
