Doctors

[Harvey]

Does anyone have any tips about how to handle going to the doctor while living in China? Is there anything to be careful about? Or are most places pretty easy to deal with and "user friendly"?

Just curious!

I would be up north in Chengchun or Harbin.

- Harvey

[malinuo]

I went to see doctors repeatedly because of a chronic problem I have. The big hospitals seem all to have a section for foreigners, where someone speaks English. Unless you are a master of Chinese, I suggest you go there first. This is the kind of situations where you do not want any misunderstandings due to a badly pronounced tone. Many (but not all) of the specialist doctors knew English as well, which helped in the discussions.

On the whole I was quite satisfied with everything. OK, I hadn't expected too much, but I was definitely not disappointed. Keep receipts and notes from each visit, so they can track your data. And try to stick to either your Western or your Chinese name all the time, so they don't think you are two persons.

A few times I suddenly found myself sitting in a corridor waiting for I didn't know whom, but someone always turned up to help me or push me into the right room.

You pay cash for the visit and medicines. It is not very expensive compared to the US or Japan, and depending on your insurance you can often be reimbursed.