Dr Philip Ho- Any feedback??

[Sage]

If everything is fine with the pregnancy, you will find that Dr Ho will be quite fast in his examination, BUT if there is suspicion of any problem, he gets very detailed.

I agree with Obiwan. I had a great pregnancy, thanks to Dr. Philip Ho. There were complications and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't want anyone else but him.

During checkups, he may be abrupt and all (this actually means good news to mother and baby) but when it really matters, his bedside manners and professionalism were impeccable. My husband, a professional himself, explained that Dr. Ho operates on a need-to-know basis. This may not be what everyone wants but for us, it's what we paid him for. We'd worry when he tells us to worry. Also, after having him for my OBGYN, I'm never going to anyone else for the dreaded pap smear and other routine gynae visits.:wink:

I can't think highly enough of him but again, it's personal. It's important to have someone you feel comfortable with.

Good luck.

 

[fingerscrossed]

I totally agree with Obiwan. I was with Dr Ho and my husband and I totally respect him for his professionalism and 'know-how'. Also agree that he's not the most chatty of Drs but who needs chattiness and small talk in the office? He's actually quite OK with answering any naive questions from a first-time mum and his nurse is excellent with answering any questions so there's no need to wait for him to get back to you. He also doesn't believe in C-sections, like some other doctors out there. In fact, he said I shouldn't have probs with a natural delivery. And the other thing that impressed me was that he arrived in 15mins for my delivery (my labour happened all too quickly). Geomum, you might have caught him on a bad day but who doesn't have bad days.

 

[kmalia]

geomum,
Also - I had a natural and vaginal delivery (did break down and have a bit of Entonox gas at the end). I was five days overdue, and was prepared to go longer - I did not want to be induced. I used Hypnobirthing to deal with pain management, and when I discussed this with Dr. Ho he was neither overly supportive or overly negative.

Dr. Ho did suggest that I arrive at the hospital earlier than I did (when contractions were 6-7 minutes apart) but I labored at home much longer (30 seconds long 4 minutes apart). But I still felt I was at the hospital a long time, so I am glad I did not go up when he suggested!

I do think that Dr. Ho definitely errs on the side of caution and as with other posters, I agree that unless he is extremely concerned, he'll say very little.

 

[joyofliving]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences they were certainly helpful in restoring some faith back in Dr Ho. I was just a bit alarmed by his abruptness and lack of empathy on certain occassions.
I dont understand why his nurse schedules appointments so close together, perhaps she receives such instructions from the doctor himself. Like I mentioned in half an hour there were approx ten patients in the waiting room. I shall see how it goes for my next appointments and perhaps might go to Dr Lam for 20 week scan like SB2 suggested

 

[starbucks2]

Geomum - I have sent you a PM.

Also, on changing doctors and keeping your booking, I would ring Matilda direct as I am sure that I read somewhere that you can change doctors and keep your existing booking but that there may be a small administration fee which Matilda charges (the reason I remember is I thought it was outrageous to charge a fee to change the name on your booking from one doctor to another!!). I'd give them a call to discuss direct.

You need to be happy that on the day, your doctor will be on your side and you are comfortable with them. It is definately not too late to change. Do bear in mind though that all the "good" obs in HK will be busy and you could get multiple deliveries on the same day with any of them.

Good luck

SB2

 

[sorchului]

My friend recommended Dr. Ho to me. Both of us are very happy with him. I have visited other doctors before for pap smear tests and check ups and still find Dr. Ho is the best.

I am sure everyone has bad days and most of the doctors have long waiting time and emergency deliveries sometimes.

 

[joyofliving]

For the benefit for others would like to share that I called up Matilda just now and was told that I get to keep my current booking even if I change doctors. There isn't any fee I need to pay, all I need to do is tell them about the details of the new doctor.

 

[starbucks2]

That is good news. Thanks for the update.

 

[Obiwan]

Impatience is definitely one of my worst vices But I have never had problem waiting for Dr Ho, and I typically have to wait different length of time at each visit. I figure that he is late as some other mums need him at the hospital for delivery/check ups and I will one day be one of the mums, and I hope he will put me as a priority vis-a-vis his clinic patients. As a comparison, I met with a very renowned pediatrician who told me she cannot standby for me during my delivery cos she has clinic duties in Central (I changed ped immediately!).

 

[zac08]

geomum, i think i was probably in the waiting room with you yesterday, haha! my appmt was for 1030am, but due to the long wait, didn't get in til well past 11am. i HATE waiting but i do know (having been the anxious patient before with a laundry list of questions) that dr ho is extremely patient when it comes to answering any and all questions you may have. he is a man of few words, quiet by nature (most likely in and out of his doctors' garb), however, if you have questions or if there is a need, he will spend as much time with you as necessary. at first, i too was a bit put off by what i thought to be standoffishness (having come from a much much chattier and warmer dr. dawkins for my first pregnancy) but gradually my husband and i grew to realize that this is just his nature - quiet, reserved but methodical, careful, competent.

the exchange you detailed in your first post made me laugh (sorry!) simply because it really reminded me of the exchange i shared with him yesterday. i am 31 weeks pregnant and i often have had to ask him to do the scan when he wasn't planning on doing it. as one of the other posters mentioned, in the US/North American system where i am from, scans are also not frequently done unless at critical points during your pregnancy. to dr ho's credit, he has always acquiesed when asked to do the scan. when i was 17 weeks pregnant, i had the exact same exchange with him that you did. honestly, pretty much word for word.

i always tend to extend my visits a bit longer than i think he deems necessary because i tend to have lots of questions, but he has never given me the impression that he is not patient with me or wants me to leave. curt and succinct YES but impatient definitely not.

this is my experience.