Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ScissorsMc]

Hi

I'm starting work in Korea in November. I've noticed that I need to under go a physical exam.

This is an odd question, but: do you have to take your top off during the exam?

I am a male, btw.


Thanks

[andrewchon]

For the chest X-ray you will be asked take your shirt off. I always wear a singlet but they haven't ask me to take that off, yet.

[ScissorsMc]

Ah, they made no mention of a chest x-ray.

Are they standard procedure?

[Rutherford]

They're going to notice your nipple rings.

[Dodge7]

Yes, they ask you to be fully naked during the exam.

[deizio]

My first time ('08, somewhere in Gangnam), they let you keep your own duds on during the run-around the various examination stations, but you had to whip your top off for the chest x-ray.

Second time around (this March, Samsung Gangbuk), they gave you a fetching hospital-issue tee for the occasion but you kept it on for the duration.

YMMV.

The radiologist is only interested in making sure you stand in the right place and get moving asap.

[nora]

[Benjamino]

I can't remember if I was shirtless or not as I was too stressed after the prostate exam.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I've always been given a robe for the x-ray bit. I've been dressed for everything else.

[brauggi]

curious - if the chest xray is only for tuberculosis screening, that's kind of going about it backwards. In the US, anyway, the skin test is used as a default screening rather than the xrays, and avoiding unnecessary irradiation is one of the reasons cited.

Does anybody feel nervous about getting lung xrays every year? I've just sent a message asking my boss if (i have no idea why, but I'm being sent in for another even though it's the middle of my contract year) if they'll accept the skin test intead. it's more accurate, anyway.

Has anybody ever been told whether the xray is actually necessary for the visa?

[XD_Kimba]

I had my medical check on Friday, and for the chest x-ray I had to remove my bra, but kept my t-shirt on and was given a gown thing.

It might be different for me as I'm British, but the medical check is for my university, not for the visa. If it were for the visa, surely it would need to be done in your home country, before you arrive?

My medical was horrible. I had to go alone and was told a translator would be on hand to help. This was not the case, and very few of the staff knew any English at all. So, I had 7 different tests (x-ray, blood test, urine test, teeth check, hearing check, sight check, and height/weight/blood pressure) and in all cases I have no idea what they were looking for (most of the tests lasted about 1min). Add to that that I had to go around and find each department myself, with almost no Korean language, and chuck in my phobia of hospitals and particularly needles, and it was an all-round unpleasant day

Sorry, that turned into a proper whinge...

[JustinC]

[shfiftyfife]

I took my test about a week ago in Busan and did not have to take any clothes off. What city are you teaching in?