– Dr. Natthapat Tangjitcharoen –
Patients may feel as though they are undergoing a comprehensive annual spinal check-up when being treated by Dr. Nattapat Tangchitcharoen, affectionately known as Dr. Dump. As an orthopaedic and spinal surgeon at the Premier Spine Centre, BNH Hospital, he possesses a profound appreciation for the process of physical examination and data collection. By applying these meticulous methods to his practice, he gathers deep and extensive insights that significantly enhance the efficacy of his treatments. Many stories that patients feel comfortable sharing with him arise from conversations in the consultation room—discussions that may not initially seem related to the illness but serve as the starting point for building trust, much of which is rooted in the doctor’s own life experiences.
A Passion for Healing Inherited from Mentors
“I did not choose to be an orthopaedic surgeon; rather, this department chose me.”
Dr. Dump was not initially certain if he wanted to be a doctor. Following the values of a previous generation—that high-achieving students should pursue medicine—he heard this suggestion throughout his childhood. Even as the time for university entrance exams approached, he remained unsure if it was truly his calling. However, while studying at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, he found that he could manage the content well, and as he became more immersed in the work, he eventually felt at peace with his chosen path.
In medical school, students must rotate through every department. When he rotated through Orthopaedics, he found that the society of professors, seniors, and peers shared a spirit he wanted to be part of. The nature of the work also proved enjoyable, leading him to decide on this path during his fifth year.
“Furthermore, I have always enjoyed physical examinations. Examining a patient feels like a way to check my own skills. I was inspired by a professor in the Neurology department; I was deeply impressed by their clinical examinations at Chulalongkorn Hospital. This is perhaps one of the reasons I chose to study the spine, as it involves the nervous system as well.”
Typically, newly graduated doctors must complete three years of government service. Dr. Dump served his first year at a large hospital in Samut Sakhon. For the remaining two years, he served as a teaching assistant in the Anatomy Department at Chulalongkorn Hospital. For someone determined to pursue orthopaedics, this role allowed him to master the intricacies of the skeletal and nervous systems with even greater precision.
He went on to pursue specialist training in Orthopaedic Surgery at Chulalongkorn Hospital. What impressed him even more than the curriculum were the medical professors in the spinal department, who encouraged him to further specialise in this field. Dr. Dump describes it as, “Seeing the intense passion of the professors soaring forth.” One of those mentors was Professor Dr. Wicharn Yingsakmongkol, a pioneer of the Premier Spine Centre at BNH Hospital.
“My professor demonstrated such passion that it became infectious, but I also genuinely loved the subject. Many people are interested in the spine, but it can be highly stressful because the results are not always 100% predictable, leading many to drop out. However, I remained interested, so I chose this field. Encountering my professor’s passion, combined with my existing love for neurological examinations, made it the perfect fit.”
Coincidentally, as Dr. Dump completed his spinal specialisation, BNH Hospital was looking to expand its team. He thus became a colleague of Professor Wicharn at the Premier Spine Centre. Being close to a mentor with such intense passion has allowed Dr. Dump to absorb that same dedication and commitment every day at work.
“Moreover, the team members across all departments are very friendly and incredibly helpful. Every department I have contacted regarding cases has been seamless. I consider myself very fortunate to work in such an excellent environment. It seems to be an organisational culture that selects people with similar temperaments. The hospital’s size also allows all the doctors to know one another, much like being part of the same family.”
Caring for Spinal Patients
Dr. Dump has handled many challenging cases, but the most difficult was emotionally taxing: he had to operate on someone close to him.
“She was a senior nurse I had worked with, someone I saw in the operating theatre every day. She suffered from a cervical herniated disc. Initially, I did not want to operate; I wanted her to receive other treatments, such as medication or long-term physiotherapy. Eventually, however, she could no longer manage and was unable to work. As a nurse responsible for intubating patients, she had to move her neck and arms extensively. Ultimately, I performed the surgery, and the result was excellent. She was impressed, and I felt gratified that she trusted me to be a part of that procedure.”
For general patients with whom he has no prior connection, Dr. Dump approaches them as if he were caring for a relative. This perspective helps him clearly see what needs to be examined and what treatment path to propose. Nevertheless, upon the first meeting, patients may be tense and hesitant to share their problems. However, treatment at BNH Hospital is not bound by strict time constraints. Dr. Dump often allows patients to speak freely about anything they wish at the start. Eventually, patients open up about the underlying issues. From there, he knows exactly what questions to ask to understand the problem more clearly.
“If we allow patients to tell their story as they wish and we give weight to those details, categorising them well, it provides an immense amount of diagnostic information.”
Dr. Dump’s penchant for physical examinations begins with taking a thorough history and collecting data on other parts of the body, which yields a wealth of information. He applies this comprehensive process to his treatment, even when it falls outside the immediate scope of a bone specialist. He often spends a significant amount of time with each case to ensure he receives the most vital information, to the point that some patients have occasionally remarked upon it, though most are highly satisfied with his attentiveness.
“Even though we are specialists focused on a specific area, there are small details in other parts of the body that can be processed together to provide more Complete Care. We do not view the patient in isolated parts, but as a single individual who may have multiple diseases or symptoms. We do not act merely as orthopaedic surgeons, but as the primary physician overseeing their entire well-being.”
This integrated, holistic approach—Complete Care—is the cornerstone of the BNH philosophy, which emphasises prevention over mere cure. For Dr. Dump, being a spinal surgeon who understands the basics of other diseases allows him to notice abnormalities and refer cases to the relevant specialists early on. The strong relationships among doctors within the hospital ensure that consultations and referrals are swift and convenient.
A Father Who Seems Gentle… but Is Not
“Currently, I am someone who is very happy in this profession.”
From someone who studied medicine because he was capable, Dr. Dump has reached a point where he is deeply invested in the vocation. He notes that among several family members who are doctors, none are as passionate about it as he is. Seeing patients recover and regain their mobility provides him with immense encouragement.
Beyond his role as a doctor, he is also a father. Outside of work, he is entirely devoted to his family.
“I try to compartmentalise: when I am focused on work, I give it my all. When I am with my family, I am fully present. Separating these times clearly makes them more effective.”
Dr. Dump’s children are currently aged four and two. He understands that one day they will grow up and spend more time at school and with friends, so he wants to make the most of the time he has with them now. His greatest happiness today is playing with his children.
While he may appear to be a gentle father to outsiders, he considers himself rather strict.
“I raise them within a fairly wide ‘frame,’ but they cannot step outside that boundary. I am very clear. For instance, they can play in any way that looks dangerous, and I will let them do it, but I am constantly watching and have assessed that it is not truly hazardous. People might think I am overly indulgent, giving them whatever they ask for, but it is always within the boundaries of what I find acceptable. I do not forbid everything; the list of things I prohibit may not be long, but when I say no, it is an absolute ‘no’.”
When time permits, he takes his family for walks in public parks, to the zoo, swimming, or to age-appropriate play centres such as HarborLand or Dream World. When at home, he chooses activities that stimulate his children’s development.
“Perhaps because I am a doctor and I know which developmental milestones belong to each age, I can observe their progress more easily. During my studies, I only knew the rough outlines, but having my own children, I see changes every week. With this information, I know what needs to be added. Some at home might say it’s boring to raise children ‘by the book,’ but I believe in a healthy blend of both.”
The partners of many doctors are often within the healthcare field because they understand the irregular schedules and the fact that work must sometimes come before family. However, Dr. Dump’s wife is an engineer. They have known each other since their university days and have faced many challenges together. Her adventurous and straightforward nature, typical of those in the engineering field, allows her to understand the doctor’s work patterns, and together they maintain a happy household.
Niche Sports Interests
Since having children, his interests outside of work have largely shifted toward them. Previously, he enjoyed playing badminton. However, when it comes to sports he enjoys watching with a passion, his interests are quite niche.
“I watch American Football. Not many Thais watch it; I have watched it alone for over 20 years. I have no one to talk to about it.”
His interest in American Football began with a sports newspaper at home, featuring a headline with a photo of an athlete in a unique uniform he had never seen before.
“The kit looked so cool. That was the starting point that led me to watch the 2004 Championship final.”
Shortly thereafter, the sport became known in Thailand through the anime ‘Eyeshield 21’. This led some high school friends influenced by the cartoon to try playing American Football, but it was merely a casual game of throwing the ball around. Ultimately, he is the only one who has remained a dedicated follower to this day.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is another sport Dr. Dump has enjoyed watching since high school. He is fascinated by the blend of any martial art—whether one uses Muay Thai against a Karate practitioner or a Taekwondo fighter. He often watches the One Championship matches where competitors fight in a cage.
“Now that I have grown up and work in the orthopaedic department, I like to observe what injuries occur, which joints are being targeted, or if an arm is twisted in a certain way, which ligament is being torn. I watch and apply what I have learned, but I do not participate; I strictly observe.”
“The motivation in my work is seeing patients recover—knowing we treated them the right way, offered the correct treatment, and, most importantly, that the patient cooperated until they recovered from their condition.”
From someone who studied medicine because he was capable, to having a true passion for the work and finding joy in the happiness of his patients, Dr. Dump is a doctor who provides quality care and quality time. He maintains a balance between his own quality of life and that of his patients. By being cared for by a doctor who maintains a healthy quality of life, patients, in turn, feel that positive energy from him.
NATTAPAT TANGCHITCHAROEN, M.D.
Spine Centre
Specialty
ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND SPINAL SURGERY
Language
Thai, English
– Orthopedic Surgery
– Chalermkitpanit P, Yingsakmongkol W, Limthongkul W, Tanasansomboon T, Pannangpetch P, Tangchitcharoen N, Singhatanadgige W. Perioperative intravenous nefopam on pain management and ambulation after open spine surgery: A randomized double-blind controlled study. Asian Spine Journal. 2023 Aug;17(4):632.
– Singhatanadgige W, Tangchitcharoen N, Kerr SJ, Tanasansomboon T, Yingsakmongkol W, Kotheeranurak V, Limthongkul W. Comparison of PEEK and TiPEEK in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: a Randomized Clinical Trial. World Neurosurgery. 2022 Oct 7.
– Chalermkitpanit P, Limthongkul W, Yingsakmongkol W, Thepsoparn M, Pannangpetch P, Tangchitcharoen N, Tanasansomboon T, Singhatanadgige W. Analgesic Effect of Intravenous Nefopam for Postoperative Pain in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: A Randomized Prospective Study. Asian Spine Journal. 2022 Mar 11.
– Tanpowpong T, Itthipanichpong T, Huanmanop T, Jaruthien N, Tangchitcharoen N. A cadaveric study of the location and morphology of the central patellar ridge for bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2021 Dec;16(1):1-7.
– 2015 Doctor of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University
– 2024 Spinal Surgery, Chulalongkorn Hospital.
– 2022 Thai Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Chulalongkorn University
Doctor’s Schedule
| Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:00 – 20:00 | Spine Centre |
| Wednesday | 16:00 – 20:00 | Spine Centre |
| Thursday | 08:00 – 20:00 | Spine Centre |
| Friday | 08:00 – 16:00 | Spine Centre |
| Sunday | 08:00 – 12:00 | Spine Centre |