After being in Korea for two years, I have only had to go to the doctor a handful of times. However, that was a handful too many. I can't say that the medical care isn't good here, but it has made me appreciate the privatized medical system we complain about so much in the states. Korea has a government sponsored national healthcare plan. Enrollment is not optional, and it covers what you would expect it to. This type of system is both good and bad.
First, the good. Medical care is relatively inexpensive here. A doctor visit, and a trip to the pharmacy may only cost me about $5.00 out of pocket. For the most part, you can get in and out of the doctor's office here faster that you can fill out the forms at the reception desk in the states.
Now, the not so good. Everyone has coverage, and everyone takes full advantage of that. People go to the hospital for every little sniffle, cough, scraped knee, paper cut, and stomach ache. I think the Koreans find us Americans quite odd that we don't feel it necessary to visit the doctor for the flu, a cold, a headache, or even a fever. Because of this, the waiting room at the hospital resembles Black Friday crowds waiting outside in the cold for a deal on a new TV. From the looks of things, there isn't a lot of money to be made in the medical field. There doesn't seem to be competition among the hospitals and clinics for patients. I say this because the facilities remind me of a 1970s horror movie relying on the yellow lighting in the dingy hallway of the psych ward to bring about a sense of terror and fear in the viewers. It is truly terrifying. There are no pretty paintings in the elaborate entryway, no clean and quiet elevators, no cafe serving Pizza Hut pizza and Starbucks, etc. Imagine a mental hospital in a horror movie, and that is what most of the hospitals I have seen around here look like. Along with that, imagine all the creepy psych patients wandering around in their hospital gowns dragging along their IV. I've never been in a patient room at the hospital, but they must be bad. I see patients wandering aimlessly inside, outside, and in the vicinity of the hospital grounds. If you ever come to Korea, and see an old man in a hospital gown dragging his fluorescent yellow colored IV bag at the 7-11, don't be alarmed. That just means there's a hospital nearby.
Fortunately, I was able to find the exception to the rule, as far as Korean hospitals go. I discovered Hyosung Hospital. This hospital works closely with the American military bases in Daegu, and it is reflected in both appearance and in practice. They have an International clinic for the waygooks, and manning the reception desk is a wonderful, wonderful lady. Many hospitals do have an international clinic with a person available, who can speak some English. BUT, they are not, I repeat, NOT, created equal.
Miss Ku is a wonderful and pleasant woman, who speaks, not just English, but fluent English. There is no need to speak slowly, or try to find the simplest explanation for why you are there. She is just as fluent on the phone as she is in person, and actually answers her phone! She doesn't simply point you in the direction of the doctor's office, and send you on your way to wander the halls. She takes you straight to the doctor, and stays with you to interpret, if needed. She is also on call 24/7.
The hospital itself is very modern and nicely decorated. This hospital doesn't give me the creepy feeling that the crazy guy from Saw is going to jump out any moment to start hacking me apart. I felt even more at home when I had to wait 30 minutes to see the doctor. The doctor was great, and was the first doctor I had seen in Korea, in which I felt confident of his abilities.
After my appointment, it was time to pay. And, again, Miss Ku was there to make sure I was in the right line, and to make sure my bill was correct. She wrote out what every charge was for, and seems to understand an American's need to question everything on it. At other places, you are simply given a bill in Korean with no explanation of what you are actually paying for. If you question it or dispute it, the answer is simply, "you must pay it." Korea, in general, is not in the practice of asking why, or questioning anyone who has an ounce of authority.
All in all, I would recommend Hyosung Hospital to anyone. The last place you want to really feel like your in a foreign country is in the hospital, and this hospital certainly doesn't look or feel that way.
Contact information and directions:
Hyo Jeong Ku
Office: 053-766-7073
Cell: 010-3026-3206
Email: oh-khj@hanmail.net
Website: http://hshp7070.cafe24.com/eng/
Address: #105-2 Jung-Dong, Susung-Gu in Daegu. (Click the link at the bottom of the post to see the map)
Directions: The easiest way to get there is to get off at Daegu Bank station on the green line. Then, take a taxi to Hyosung Hospital. (Hyo-sung byeong-won)
I took a taxi there from Banwoldang station, and the fare was about 5,000W.
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