Korean Job Discussion Forums

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

Does anyone know if EPIK will dig into your medical records to verify the self-assessment you gave them? My sister is applying to start in March and she suffered from Depression until a few years ago. She's fine now; she doesn't even take medication, but rather than risk not getting the job, she decided to not mention it on the self-assessment and now she's afraid they'll find out anyway because the consent form says they'll try to verify the information she gave them. I told her they're probably just trying to verify her educational background and where she lived and all that, but she's worried they'll dig into her medical records. Anyone ever kept quiet about a medical issue and still got the job?

Zach with a Z · Joined: 19 Feb 2009

they just do a blood, piss, and xray test.

So I'd assume as long as you don't have anti-depressants in your blood, they'll never know.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

I know they'd never find anything out at the physical, but she's concerned that they said they would try to verify what she said on the assessment. My question is, who would they call? If they want to verify her educational background, all they have to do is call the schools she gave them. If they want to verify her past addresses, they can call the postal service. Who would they call to verify her health? They didn't ask her to provide the name of her doctor or any hospital she's been to, so who would they get hold of to verify what she told them?

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject:

It's against the law for doctors to give out your medical information so there's no way they will find out unless she tells them. I took anti-depressants 10 years ago, I don't take them now, so why even bring it up.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

I know how important medical privacy is, but she gave them a consent form that sounds like it says she's given them permission to ask whoever they need to ask to confirm her information. Wouldn't that include consent to allow her doctor or a hospital to tell them what they want to know?

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

Wurmwood, where are you and your sister from? Many countries have information/forms that the doctor must give you (back home) which state that they can only give out your medical info in very specific formats based on your consent. No, I do not think Koreans will be checking into her medical background, I doubt they would know who to call, and I think you are more worried than you need to be.

The only reason I would be concerned, if I were you, is that Korea can be difficult for newbs (if she is) and that if she is still prone to depression, she may need to be aware of that here. Moving here can take an toll on a person. Given what you have told us, I think that is a bigger concern than anyone finding out her medical history. And if she is over it, strong and adventurous, she won't be any worse off than anyone else here, especially if she is lucky enough to land in a decent situation.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

We're from the states. I recently got accepted myself, but I've got nothing to hide; I have no idea if they looked at my records. Her depression ended years ago. It was really just a phase, but she was officially diagnosed. She's much better now. She's been overseas before and the fact that I'll probably be close by will help with any trouble she MIGHT have. We didn't apply jointly, but we did request to be as close to each other as we can get; like, same city at least.

Again, I tend to agree that it would be difficult for them to gain access to her records, but again, I thought the consent form would give them permission. I think she'll be okay.

steveinincheon · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: in The Shadows of Gyeyangsan

As long as they don't detect AIDS or drugs in your system, it'll be fine. They have no way of verifying the self-assessment, and the physical is just a standard physical conducted by ordinary nurses and doctors.

oldtactics · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

They don't check any records. Blank slate when you get here until you have your blood and pee test. Nothing to worry about.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

At what point do they conduct this little background check? After you send them all your paperwork? I told her if they send her a contract, she's probably in the clear.

annainkorea · Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Location: Currently Grove City, Ohio

What if you currently do still suffer from depression? I'm not on anti-depressants currently but am working with a therapist and its pretty well managed now. Many of the issues stem from unemployment, bad work situation, etc. Should I disclose this? I don't want to put myself at risk of losing an opportunity here.

Cannes6 · Joined: 29 Jul 2009

EPIK won't "dig" into her medical records. I just went through the process, they never asked to verify anything I reported on the medical form, and the medical exam through the program itself is only blood, pee, and chest x-ray. They offered an optional counseling session for those who had any concerns and that would be the only place a discussion about depression would come up. But like I said, it was completely optional. They'll never know or ask, believe me.

But as someone said before, the first couple months here can be a little rough for newbies. So if depression was a problem in the past, be prepared to deal with any recurring symptoms.