Quote:
Originally Posted by sakurasake41
Long story short, I think I should go to the doctor. But I'm very nervous--I haven't been to the doctor here before, and my vocabulary medically basically extends to '(body part) ga itai'. I'm worried that it will be a completely useless visit, and I don't have the slightest clue how to even go about making an appointment with a doctor anyway.
Also, does anyone have any tips on how to even find a doctor's office (I live in Shimotakaido right now)? Is there anything important I should know? I have national health insurance so that shouldn't be a problem. Sorry for rambling, I just figured details would be useful!
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You don`t need to make an appointment. One of the great things about the Japanese health system is that you can pretty much walk into the doctor`s and be seen anytime. Large hospitals usually have set hours for new patients (all those around here tend to be returning patients only after 11 or 12) but I have yet to encounter a clinic or independent doctor who had limits. Just walk in, tell them it`s your first visit, and then they`ll have you fill out a form with name, address, and usually a line to fill in or a circle-the-illness spot to tell them what is wrong.
Doctors tend to be pretty quick and matter-of-fact in their checks, so you really shouldn`t need to tell them anything other than that your throat hurts. They`ll probably ask you how long it has been hurting, and then look at it and give you medication of some sort.
As for finding a doctor, there are tons of online lists. Try this site;
病院・医院検索のマイクリニック
You`ll be looking for a general 内科 - 医院 or クリニック (independent doctor or small clinic). I advise against going to a regular hospital, as more serious problems are referred to a large hospital from everywhere else which means they are generally crowded and more specialized. (And also a whole lot less likely to be able to devote a bit of extra time to understand you if your Japanese isn`t great.)
If it is something beyond a regular cold, they`ll refer you on to either a specialist or a larger hospital.