What's Up Doc?

Hospitals are never a fun place to visit. For myself, I find that I get queasy at the smell of rubbing alcohol because it reminds me of being in a hospital. Have you noticed that hospitals smell like rubbing alcohol? Well, they do in America but they definitely don't in China. 

In China the hospitals are super different than what I am used to. To start, the hospitals are not as sterilized as American hospitals. They actually remind me more of public malls because there are ton of people walking through the halls, the floors are dirty, and people are smoking everywhere. 

Picture taken in a hospital in Jiaxing

Maybe its because China is so big that they need to do this but in Jiaxing there are several different hospitals that specialize in things. There is a hospital for maternity, a hospital for women and children, a hospital for men, a hospital just for plastic surgery, and a hospital for general surgery. There is also the hospital for foreigners to get their medical check-ups to get clearance from the government to get their residence permits. So if you have an emergency you can't just go to any hospital, you have to go to the one that meets your needs or you will just get transferred. In my hometown you can go to the hospital to give birth, get surgery, or for general check-ups. 

When you first go into a Chinese hospital you have to go to the front desk and get a plastic card. The card is given to doctors and the doctors type in your information and load it on the card. You also have to give your insurance card to the hospital. Despite what many of Westerners think, China does not have universal health care, it is similar to the USA insurance wise. I think the medical information card is interesting because then all of your information is on it and you don't have to fill out the same questionnaire a million times. 

Next you go to the floor that caters to your needs. There is a person sitting in front of a window who will ask you to fill out paperwork and you give them your insurance and medical information card. They will give you a number and you head to the hallway that caters to your needs. From there you wait until your number is called or shown on the screen. Then you head to your doctor who leaves the door open. Also not common in the west. I was surprised that during my visit, other patients would pop their heads in to ask the doctor questions in the middle of my visit. The doctor will sometimes only briefly look over you if they feel that they are too swamped. I had to demand a longer visit so the doctor would look at my busted knee further. 

When you are done with your visit you go back to the person at the window and give them your cards and then you pay your bill. It is typically 20 RMB but could be more depending on what it is. Then in the lower level of the hospital they have a pharmacy so you can get your medicine right there! You get a number, wait for it to be called, and then give them the doctor's script. You pay and head out. I really wish we had this in America! I hate driving across town to get my medicine. One thing I don't like is that some of these doctors will suggest Traditional Chinese Medicine, which can be a good complimentary medicine but not primary care. 

One interesting thing about doctors in China is that they are considered middle class. They aren't paid super high amounts like they are in America. That was kind of surprising to me. Even heart or brain surgeons can't be upper class in China. I think that is why so many are leaving for the USA and quitting the profession. 

If you do have end up in a Chinese hospital you will for sure need someone to speak Chinese to go with you. It is very confusing to go on your own the first time and all of the doctors in my city don't speak English. I had a co-worker last year who went to Shanghai for their doctor visit and more of them spoke English and she said the hospitals were cleaner. 

Chinese and American hospitals do have their pros and cons. Chinese hospitals have pharmacies in the lower levels and you don't have to fill out a ton of paperwork. American hospitals have non-smoking rules and you get more personal care. Chinese hospitals don't smell like rubbing alcohol like Americans one do, you can decide if that is a pro or a con if you end up for a visit.