Seeing doctors the Chinese way

ShanghaiDaily
Tan Xian | 2008-7-4 |
STRICKEN by the high cost of foreign doctors, many expats would like to see excellent Chinese physicians. Some public hospitals have international departments with Chinese doctors who speak English, writes Tan Xian.

For most expats, living in Shanghai is easy and convenient, but when they have a health problem, the situation can be intimidating. Getting sick in foreign country where they don't speak the language or don't speak it well can be a problem.

Many expats have been initially at a loss when they need medical assistance. Their friends often suggest "expat doctors" at foreign medical services because they provide Western treatment and speak English, or other Western languages.

You can see a doctor right away, you can communicate in privacy and the treatment is good. These visits are not cheap, nor are treatments, procedures and hospitalization.

Many expats, therefore, are interested in seeing capable Chinese doctors who don't charge a lot and can speak English.

There are a few Chinese doctors in private practice, but the cost is comparatively higher. Some are from Taiwan and Hong Kong and speak English.

Public hospitals are also a good choice and many of them have international departments where English is spoken.

Treatment can be described as the "Westernized Chinese way."

Reservations are required. Patients can also make appointments with specialists who usually work one or two days a week.

"Usually it costs much less than those wholly foreign-invested clinics," says American Christine Bush who has lived in Shanghai for two years.

Expats who speak simple Mandarin can also try basic medical services, just like most local residents. In fact, many doctors can speak some simple English. In this case, you can just show up and wait your turn.

"My experience of medical treatment in Shanghai is positive: The facilities are good, the staff are mostly friendly, and the service is decent," says Markus Tibbetts, from the UK. He has lived in Shanghai for three years.

"This has been my impression of standard hospitals like Ruijin Hospital and the No. 6 People's Hospital," he says.

Tibbetts first went to a hospital with a Chinese friend. Later, when he didn't have a translator, he would go to the international departments of big hospitals where most doctors speak good English. After he learned some Mandarin, he did it the Shanghai way.

"The only drawbacks are that the hospitals are crowded and noisy, and as a result, somewhat stressful," says Tibbetts. "However, living in a city of 17 million people, the crowds and the waiting are to be expected."

In China, medical treatment is not as private as in the West. Some doctors perform checkups in an open room, with other patients present. Although some will close the door, patients still rush in from time to time.

"Some patients are just behind you and listen," says William Edgar Merry, 65, who has lived in the city for seven years. "Privacy is not strictly protected here."

But Tibbetts calls the lack of privacy "acceptable" and says he will stop talking and "wait until they leave."

Comments

[Medical Transcription]

Great post. It was a very interesting read and I learned a lot from it.

[Chinese Translator]

Maybe, I'd do the same. If I am chinese and I am in America, I'd look for a good chinese doctor so that I could explain well my ailment and that my doctor can explain to me in detailed manner my illness. Thanks for this post.