Advance Directives and What Matters In Mexico: Deborah Bickel, GTO: Ep7

Deborah Bickel is the founder of Be Well San Miguel, a membership-based patient advocacy services provider in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Members get help finding the right doctors, navigating language barriers, managing medications, dealing with insurance and preparing for emergencies.

Deborah is a graduate of the Stanford University Physician Assistant program and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley. She has spent her career advocating for improved health access worldwide.

I spoke to Deborah about the challenges expats face navigating the Mexican healthcare system and the complexities around advance directives in Mexico. We discussed why expats, despite having financial security, often struggle with appropriate end-of-life care due to social isolation and lack of a support network.

In This Episode:

• Deborah’s background in international health and what led her to establish her service in San Miguel de Allende

• The challenges of navigating Mexico’s private healthcare system as an expat

• When investor interests conflict with the quality of care

• How advance planning improves medical emergency response

• Deborah’s experience helping clients navigate end-of-life decisions and cognitive decline issues

• The challenges and complexities of advance directives in Mexico

• How lack of advance directives can lead to inappropriate medical treatments or financial exploitation

• Mexico’s complex relationship with death and dying

• The challenges of obtaining pain medications in Mexico

• The need for bilingual patient advocates

• The benefit of social capital and community connections

• The value of building a relationship with a trusted physician

• The importance of having a designated person who can advocate on your behalf

Learn More:

Visit the Be Well San Miguel website

See Be Well San Miguel’s advice on medical directives