Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Countrygirl]

Has anyone ever gone to the International Clinic and had a good or bad experience?

I've been having really bad sinus headaches and bacterial infections since coming to Korea. I'm assuming it's the pollution. I found out that part of the problem was that when I went to the local clinic, the doctor would give me antibiotics for 3 days. I'd get somewhat better and then 2 weeks later I'd be out for the count. Later, when asked why there is only 3 days of medicine, the doctor tells my husband that I was supposed to come back (I suppose to pay another 3,000 won for the visit) and get another prescription. He's been seeing me so much that he now gives me a prescription for 7 days.

I'm thinking about taking the long trek out to the International Clinic to maybe get an idea how to prevent these infections (instead of eating antibiotics like candy). I'm just worried that I'll be wasting my time and energy and money (I'm sure they'll charge more), to get the same treatment that I get at my local clinic.

Is the International Clinic much better than the local clinic?

[dr. love]

In the case that you are describing, I would suggest you visit an Ear Nose and Throat specialist at a larger hospital. It will cost more money than the local clinic, but the doctors will be able to better diagnose and treat your problem.

One of the reasons why the doctors give you three day prescriptions is for insurance reasons. The three day runs of antibiotics are fully covered, however the longer seven day ones are not. In the end it saves you money, even though it is a hassle.

I currently work for the East-West Neo Medical Center, Kyung Hee University in Kangdong gu, Seoul. We are a large and modern health care facility, with International Health Care services offered free of charge.

If you you would like me to refer an ENT specialist who speaks English please send me a p.m

[Chicoloco]

[dr. love]

My surname is Love.

I never liked it as a child, but it has benefits as I get older. Wherever I travel my name seems to make people smile. It's nice.

[Chicoloco]

That's cool.

I once had a doctor called "Carl Marks"

[articulate_ink]

I've been going to the International Clinic as long as I've been in Korea, 3 years. A kyopo friend who's been here for 10 years recommended the clinic. There's been a lot of negativity on here toward Dr Kim but my experiences have been consistently good.

[PeteJB]

Wow, it's rare to hear of a Westerner working in a Korean medical care center. One of a kind.

[dr. love]

Started working here in 2006 when the hospital opened. My job is to essentially help the hospital prepare for the new market of Medical Tourism and help promote the hospital in Korea and internationally.

We have great facilities, a medical staff that is willing to listen, and we offer full western, oriental, and dental services.

[bassexpander]

What got you interested in a board mostly for teachers in Korea?

Just curious.

I bet you get a kick out of our stories.

[OiGirl]

[GB]

I have found the International Clinic to be good but very expensive...but it's worth it due to the fact he's speaks English. I think he may be a native speaker...he certainly lived in the US I believe.

[teachergirltoo]

I had the same concerns about the standard 3 days prescriptions most often written here. I recently had to go the emergency room due to a bacterial infection. The doctor on duty told me that he could only give a 3 day supply of antibiotics, but when I explained to him that it was important for me to have a 10 day supply he phoned upstairs to the resident ENT specialist and was able to have him sign off on it. He told me that doctors outside of the emergency room are allowed to give more than 3 day prescriptions but you have to ask for it. The cost of the doctor/hospital visit and the 10 day supply was $8500 won.

[teachergirltoo]

Just a quick additional note: if you want to increase your chances of not having a reoccurance of a bacterial infection, make sure that from the moment you start taking your antibiotics and for a week or so after they are finished, take acidophilus daily or if you can't find that, eat LOTS of yoghurt. You probably already know this but I just wanted to mention it as some people don't.

[dr. love]

I started looking around this board last year and saw that there was a alot of people looking for help with medical problems and decided to chime in. There are many good medical professionals in Korea and I wanted to make sure people were aware that there are choices out there.

I have access to over 130 professors, in both western and oriental medicine, who can help me give sound medical advice and in turn I can maybe help increase the number of international patients that come to the center. a win-win situation.

Anyhow if you know anyone who needs medical help or referrals in Seoul or Korea, send me a message and I'll do my best to help them out.

[spliff]

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