Job Discussion Forums

ellethecat · Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 75 Location: edmonton

Hey. Im new to Osaka and Im trying to figure out the best way of finding a doctor. I take a class of medication they dont have much experience with in Japan (SSRIs), so a doctor trained overseas or even a gaijin doctor would be best. HAs anyone had a great doctor here?

If no one has any specific recommendations, then should I go to a hospital or a clinic. It seems they dont have the equialent of GPs here?
In Canada a GP could cover most of my concerns.
Thanks in Advance

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

ellethecat · Joined: 11 Apr 2004 Posts: 75 Location: edmonton

Okay. thanks. Ill check it out.
I had a good doctor in southern Japan, he was from Taiwan, I beleive.
Now Im in Osaka, it seems more daunting.

Any recommendations, anyone?

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

do a search for the American embassy website, and they have a list of doctors that speak English.

freddie's friend daniel · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 84 Location: Osaka-fu

There's a link here
http://www.ih-osaka.or.jp/enjoy/en/sick/11.html
to hospitals in Osaka where English is spoken.[/url]

freddie's friend daniel · Joined: 17 Apr 2005 Posts: 84 Location: Osaka-fu

Oh, just great. Hope you can at least copy and paste the link above. Sorry.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

In addition, the Japanese-English equivalent of GP is "internal medicine." But something to keep in mind, unlike N. America, Japanese pppl generally go directly to specialists when they know what's wrong with them -- ie. no referrals generally required.

So, for example, if you have psoriasis, you would NOT go to the "internal medicine" doctor (GP) first -- you would go straight to a dermatologist. In fact, if you go to the GP, there's an excellent chance he won't even know where to refer you!!! Believe me, I've been looking for a good dermatologist for almost 3 years now -- and it seems that all the doctors that I speak with don't have a first-class clue where they might send me... Fortunately, it's nothing urgent.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

If you go to the ward office nearest your house, they will have, "Hello Osaka" books with a list of English speaking doctors etc. The book is in both Japanese and English. The book is free. Good luck.