Guam’s healthcare system has greatly expanded in the past decade. Thanks to institutions like the newly built Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC), the island territory in the Pacific now has a reputation for medical tourism. Hospitals like these are where Guamanians can go for major medical procedures, like surgery or intensive care. But for less urgent and more affordable services, there’s the option to go to clinics instead.
There are ample clinics in Guam that can attend to residents’ everyday medical needs. It’s a pleasure to live in Guam not just because the environment is so healthy but also because Guamanians and residents can also be assured of comprehensive and quality healthcare services. If you are wondering about which treatments and procedures you can get done at a Guam clinic, here are some relevant examples.
Routine Medical Appointments
You don’t have to go all the way to a Guam hospital to make an appointment with your desired specialist. Specialists that you can find in a Guam clinic include:
- Family practitioners who can treat conditions like diabetes and hypertension
- Pediatricians who specialize in the treatment of infants, young children, and adolescents
- Otolaryngologists, or ENT doctors, who can diagnose ailments of the ear, nose, and throat
- Pulmonologists who can treat respiratory ailments
- Endocrinologists who can help patients manage hormonal imbalances and others ailments related to the endocrine system
- Psychiatrists who can treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders with therapy, prescription medicine, or a combination of both
- Oncologists who can oversee cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy
You will need to call the clinic of your choice to see if they accommodate walk-in patients or if each consultation is strictly by appointment. It’s also best to call the clinic ahead to learn about each doctor’s clinic hours.
Immunizations
Guam has a very active immunization program, and you can get vaccines for the various vaccine-preventable diseases in one of the island’s clinics. The following are examples of immunizations that you and your family members can have administered.
- Influenza vaccine
- Polio vaccine
- Chickenpox vaccine
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDAP) vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
Remember your doctor’s vaccine schedule so that you know when to return for a second dose, if needed.
Laboratory Tests
You can also have tests done at one of Guam’s various medical labs. Look in the yellow pages or search online to find labs that can do the following for you:
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Pre-employment drug testing
- Pap smears
Some labs even have their own patients’ portals that allow patients to track their test results online. This is incredibly convenient for when you need round-the-clock access to your test results.
Treatment for Non-Life-Threatening Illnesses
A clinic is also where you should go to get proper treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses. An urgent care clinic is usually less congested than a hospital setting, and clinics typically offer services that are more affordable than in-hospital doctors’ offices. It’s best to head to an urgent care clinic if you or one of your family members is experiencing the following:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Common cold
- Influenza
- Sore throat
- Bronchitis
- Ear infections
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Mild diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Strep throat
- Minor abdominal pain
- Headaches
For more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing, seizures, severe diarrhea or vomiting, and suspected poisoning, it’s best to get emergency treatment instead.
Treatment for Minor Injuries
You can also go to an urgent care clinic for the treatment of minor injuries, for example, those that result from an accident, from playing sports, or from accidental falls. The following minor injuries are best treated at an urgent care clinic instead of the emergency room:
- Minor burns
- Sprains
- Minor fractures
- Wounds
- Whiplash
The rule of thumb is, if it’s something you’re worried about and can’t treat confidently with first aid, get a doctor’s opinion. But for uncontrollable bleeding, physical trauma, severe burns, and injuries to sensitive parts like the head or eyes, go straight to the ER.
Dental Services
There are also a number of competent dentists who hold clinic in Guam. You can have cosmetic procedures done, or you can undergo dental surgery. These are just some of the dental procedures that you can get done at a dental clinic in Guam:
- Root canal
- Wisdom tooth extraction
- Dental fillings and repairs
- Dental crowns for damaged or decayed teeth
- Dental bridges for missing teeth
- Dentures
- Simple cleaning
Most people should visit a dentist every six months. There are more reasons to be up-to-date with your dental health than making sure your teeth look good. Taking care of your teeth safeguards you from oral bacteria and inflammation, which may cause other problems to your general health.
LASIK Eye Treatment
In recent years, ophthalmologists who can do laser in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK surgery, have set up shop in Guam. This is a popular procedure that corrects vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Guam has been cited as an affordable place to get LASIK eye treatment. All you need to do to find a credible ophthalmologist is to search online.
Guam’s healthcare sector continues to grow in order to meet the needs of residents. Find a Guam clinic today and get the quality of care you and your family deserve.