First class hospitals and medical care in Austin? (Houston, Center: school, place to live)

[texas7]

Looking at possibly retiring in Austin area in a couple of years. How are the hospitals and which are preferred and highes rated along with general medical care. That truly does become important as people age. We have no medical issues and are in Houston now where we can find the best of the best should we need it. Spouse is a cancer survivor so curious if we ever had to seek cancer care again if most people still come to Houston for that or if there is equal quality care (i.e. md anderson, methodist) there in Austin. Same for other issues that plague people as they age such as heart specialists etc. comments would be appreciated.

[sxrckr]

Nothing first class, like MD Anderson for example, in Austin. Texas Med Center/Houston is it.
For just everyday or common types of health issues though, Austin is fine.

[Idlewile]

Having worked in a nationally elite healthcare setting in another state, I learned quickly that Houston offers some of the best medical care in the country (and world) across many, many specialties and acuities.

There is nothing in Austin on par with what is well-recognized in Houston. That said, there are very good options here nonetheless. My family has had very good experiences with the Heart Hospital here.

It depends on what your needs are, how complex and what type of measuring stick - so to speak - you employ.

[Danbo1957]

I'm a doctor of internal medicine that has practiced in Austin since 1986.

Austin does not have a medical school, like other major Texas cities, and all that goes with it including extensive research and clinical trials, -- but, Austin will have that medical school within five year's time. What Austin does have is a very desirable place to live, which attracts and keeps well-trained doctors.

You can receive most known medical procedures in Austin, from heart transplant on down; though, Austin does not have a comprehensive cancer center (but will along with the new medical school).

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by texas7

Looking at possibly retiring in Austin area in a couple of years. How are the hospitals and which are preferred and highes rated along with general medical care. That truly does become important as people age. We have no medical issues and are in Houston now where we can find the best of the best should we need it. Spouse is a cancer survivor so curious if we ever had to seek cancer care again if most people still come to Houston for that or if there is equal quality care (i.e. md anderson, methodist) there in Austin. Same for other issues that plague people as they age such as heart specialists etc. comments would be appreciated.

Austin has 2nd tier medical care which is fine for most normal things. We go down to houston periodically for best of the best specialists.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Danbo1957

What Austin does have is a very desirable place to live, which attracts and keeps well-trained doctors.

I have found this to be very true! Austin magnetism extends to medical professionals as well as techies.

20-30 years ago, many people ended up traveling to Houston for medical care but now that is much rarer -- of course, it can still happen. Houston has world-class medical care (and those of us who live in Austin are lucky to be just 2 hours away). Austin's medical care is generally first-rate and will only get better with the medical school coming.

[texas7]

Thx. Good info to know.