In the 18 months I have lived here, I have visited several hospitals in the Dalianarea.I thought I would relate to the community a little more specific information about how the Chinese hospital system seems to work from my experience.
Previously, Bozzom 13, an intern here in the city, wrote a very good article about the two major hospitals in Dalian. I have been to the No. 1 Hospital as well as three others.First, I agree with Bozzom 13 that it is very important to take a Chinese friend with you. While some doctors may speak a little English, the earlier procedures need translation.For example, a few days ago, I went to the dermatological hospital because I had a skin rash that wouldn’t clear up.My friend and I went to stand in line at the reception/intake window at 7:30 a.m., waiting for the 8:00 opening.
At this window, you get a half-sheet sized booklet with a upc code on it that identifies you and your record.
Depending on the hospital, this booklet ranges in price from 1 yuan to 4 yuan. Interestingly, you take this booklet with you and use it whenever you come back.It becomes a mini-medical record. On the wall next to the intake window is a large poster with pictures of the doctors, their specialties, and the days of the week they work.
You tell the intake person which doctor you want to see.The doctors deemed the “best” are signed up for very early—thus the importance of arriving early. You are then sent to the appropriate section of the hospital where you show your booklet to the nurse on duty.She then directs you to the office/exam room of that selected doctor.You sit outside the office while waiting your turn.It is not unusual for others to come in while you are talking to the doctor or for you to go in the room while the doctor is talking with others.
My doctor wanted lab tests run on my rash so he wrote that order in my book and sent me back to the original intake window to pay for the test (22 yuan). Then I took that receipt to the testing area and the lab technician scrapped some skin samples, put them on a couple of slides, and told me to wait 20 minutes for the results.I then took the results back to my doctor, walked in (with my friend, of course, since I didn't know the protocol) while he finished with another patient and others were waiting in their chairs.
The doctor looked at the lab results, told me there was no problem, and that I had eczema.He then wrote an order for the drugs and other stuff he wanted me to get and to bring it back to his office.We went back downstairs to the pharmacy where the order was filled and paid for (106 yuan).We then went back upstairs to the doctor again, being allowed to insert ourselves between the patient he was finishing with and his next patient.He then showed me how to clean the affected area with a special liquid, how to mix two creams together and apply to the area, and how often to take the antihistamine he prescribed.
I go into this detail for the reader to understand a little more about the logistics of Chinese medical care and to emphasize that going to the doctor without a translator is pretty much impossible.
In the 18 months I have lived here, I have visited several hospitals in the Dalian area.
My advice..... wash your hands and
........ a few days ago, I went to the dermatological hospital because I had a skin rash that wouldn’t clear up.... My advice ..... wash HER hands next time
sometimes you could remember the medicines the doctors told you to buy, then go to medicine shops. Medicines there are much cheaper. Don't buy medicines in hospitals.
Well I'm glad that you managed to work everything out at the hospital...first timers usually have a pretty hard time figuring were to go and what to do. Hope the meds work...! And I must say, this article is very well explained. Good job!
I once gave a try, on my own, and went to one of the main hospitals near Olympic Square. It was crowded and I waited for a couple of hours before a nurse told me no doctor could see me on that day.
The next morning, I decided to pay the little extra and went to the VIP section at the Dalian Medical University #1 Hospital in LianHe Road. Saw the English-speaking doctor in less than 5 minutes, got my diagnostic and all the meds I needed in no time.
Cost for seeing the doctor: 100 RMB
Cost for the meds: 200 RMB
Nothing compared to what I would have paid in Canada. So it was totally worth it.
Britton and Jim
Coltsfan
