The 4 doctors see varying numbers of patients in their private clinics which are the only ones in Ban Phang, The director of the hospital sees about 100 patients a day in his private clinic compared to 50 patients a day in the hospital. The other 3 doctors see from 20 to 40 patients in their private clinics compared to 60 to 80 patients per day in the hospital. The total daily patient load in the out patient department of the hospital is approximately 250. Approximately 190 patients daily visit the same doctors in their private clinics in Ban Phang.

Two of the doctors said that they used about 200 medicines in their private clinics and one said he used about 70 different drugs. Most of the drugs in these private clinics are purchased directly from sales representatives of the pharmaceutical companies. Two of the doctors also use pharmacies in Udon Thani city and Bangkok, and one doctor said he also purchases from the Government Pharmaceutical Organization.

Half of the doctors did not feel there was any difference between the patients who come to see them at the hospital and the patients who come to their private clinics. However, the other two stated that private patients were normally wealthier than public patients.

All of the doctors agree that their primary motive for working in the private sector is economic. Their salaries in the public hospital are so low, that they feel they have to supplement them with income from their private clinics at night.