Job Discussion Forums

[PO1]

I've probably had the worst luck as far as timing recently. I've had a rash of medical issues suddenly and found out today from my doctor that I have a problem that needs to be checked out very soon. I live in America with no insurance but I'll be coming to Japan this Monday. I'll have the National Health Insurance when I arrive in Japan, but I worry my job may think negatively of me if I start requesting time off for medical issues before I even start working. The problem was just noticed in the past couple of days.

I guess my main concern is losing my job due to medical issues. When I signed the contract I was perfectly healthy. I know it's not really in my control, but I had no major history of medical problems until now.

I'm kind of in a jam. I assume the issue can wait about a week until I arrive in Japan and get my insurance sorted.

Any advice on what to tell my employer or possibly scheduling a doctor's appointment on a weekend (I know that's not standard, just wondering if such places exist)? Would I be better off just going to the emergency room? I know I need to get the issue checked out. If you can offer any help, I can PM you to give more detail about the issue.

[Imseriouslylost]

I had a similar situation. I'll PM you sometime in the next few days when I have time.

In short: the quality of Japanese hospitals varies drastically. I was hospitalized recently by a good hospital four months after a local hospital told me that all my problems were "because of stress". If I had just listened to my local hospital and not got second opinions, I could have got extremely sick.

On the other hand, hospitals are probably cheaper here than in the US. If you're here with some time before you start work you might be alright to be hospitalized here as opposed to back home. Employers don't take kindly to time off here which is why it is good that I was hospitalized during a month long vacation.

Anyway, I'll PM you with advice as soon as I can.

[Apsara]

A lot of hospitals are open on Saturday mornings. It may not be possible to make an appointment- often you have to just go in and take a number, and you could be waiting an hour or more.

Also take into account the language barrier if you don't speak good Japanese- personally if I had a potentially serious health problem I would rather pay more and see a doctor who speaks the same language as I do- most doctors here will not speak that much English unless you are really lucky.

[PO1]

Thanks for the feedback. The problem still has the potential to be bad (I think it's an ulcer of some sort, which are relatively common, but can cause more serious problems) but I got some good news that my blood work came back normal.

I'll take my girlfriend with me if I can't find an English speaking doctor because she can translate pretty well.

I'm glad to hear there are some doctors who see patients on Saturdays. I'm hoping the problem won't cause me to miss any work, but my health is more important than any job. If I have to miss work, so be it. I'm not the type to take superfluous days off work because I have a cold or a headache or something minor.

Anyway, I've been feeling better today so I'm hoping it's just an ulcer and the medicine I'm taking will clear it up.

If anyone knows of any doctors who see patients on Saturdays in the Yokohama area (or even Tokyo) please let me know so I can get it checked out the week I arrive.

[rxk22]

I agree with Imserouslylost, it varies radically on where you go. I had the Swine flu, and the doc, without looking in my mouth at all told me I had Tonsilitis, which is impossible, since I don't even have em.

Now I know a good doc, and I get pretty good care.

Go to the Docs on your day off.