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edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
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 Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:10 am Post subject: |
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I've had some pretty bad experiences of doctors at Yonsei university Severance hospital to tell the truth. They have an 'international' clinic there so, unlike Captain Korea, who I remember once claiming he wouldn't expect staff in an international hotel to speak English (sounds like there's some kind of PC anti-cultural imperialism agenda going on there) I did expect the doctors to speak English. The two guys I saw on separate occasions were supposed to be big shots in their respective fields and had minions working for them at every stage. I 'talked' about my symptoms by filling in a form, had lackeys do a few tests and then got to meet the big shots for all of about a minute (at a cost of (50,000 won) while they told me what they thought the problem was and prescribed some drugs. In both cases, I knew what the problem was myself but wanted to discuss the merits of different treatments. The doctors just wanted to get me out of their office ASAP. Maybe because their English wasn't up to it, or maybe because they had no bedside manner whatsoever. Either way I won't be going back. I'm also fully recovered now (no thanks to them, I didn't buy their drugs)) you'll be glad to hear.  |
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Mix1
Joined: 08 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| KimchiNinja wrote: |
They other weakness is that they get all their crappy knowledge from the USA. They did not reach their beliefs independently, they just studied the American books and assumed that knowledge was correct (bad assumption). So spotting the problem, they do good. But then giving advice to solve the problem, lots of bad advice.
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Imagine where Korea would be if they DIDN'T get all their "crappy knowledge" from the USA. For medical cures, they'd be doing things like prescribing toad poop up the nose for a cold. That's where they'd be if they reached their beliefs independently.
The USA (and other western countries) put in lots of R and D over the years. Just because the health system is broken doesn't mean big gains weren't made in terms of research.
As far as doctors here, the quack factor is pretty high. Spotting the problem is one of the biggest weaknesses IMO. But I'd never hold it against them for not speaking English, that's just unfair. |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:38 am Post subject: |
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| KimchiNinja wrote: |
The KR medical system is way better than the US system.
Here in KR people have annual exams that test all sorts of things, and they receive a handy book containing the results. It's all about being open with information, getting feedback, and thus the possibility of prevention. As opposed to the US system of zero transparency, ignoring the problem and then making big money off people later after they get chronic disease.
And the annual testing is affordable, mine is free with my insurance, and only like $1200 without insurance. These same annual tests would cost like $10K in the USA, except they wouldn't even allow you to get the tests without first showing you had illness (nonsensical).
One weakness of the system is that you do not have a family doctor, thus they do not know your medical history. That's a pretty big weakness. It means you have to explain everything every time you meet a new doctor, which is an impossible amount of data to cover. A doctor can't possibly analyze the problem without factoring in your history.
They other weakness is that they get all their crappy knowledge from the USA. They did not reach their beliefs independently, they just studied the American books and assumed that knowledge was correct (bad assumption). So spotting the problem, they do good. But then giving advice to solve the problem, lots of bad advice.
That's my assessment. The complaint that they don't speak English is weird, why would they? Yet most doctors I've met speak well enough to communicate their thoughts. |
A full medical check-up at the Mayo Clinic cost $500 if you're paying cash. You may receive some of that back depending on what tests they deem necessary.
Can you show some of evidence for your $10K figure, Of course you can't, because it's complete hogwash. And the great majority of people in the U.S.have medical insurance and that number is growing thanks to Obamacare.
If you believed so strongly in Korean medicine your argument for it wouldn't be that it's cheaper. And you wouldn't need to make comparisons. |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 12:59 am Post subject: |
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Agree with the above poster about Yonsei. I had surgery there and when I went back to have the sutures removed the guy just started yanking them out. When I pulled my arm back and complained, he muttered something about foreign skin.
I was just in the ER at Ajou and thought everything was up to snuff, except for the cleaning crew waxing the floor and the relatives of other patients staring at the foreigner.
But then when I went to my regular hospital--KU in Anam-dong--to see a specialist for a follow-up, the whole department was out for a conference in Germany. I'm wondering if they flew Lufthansa.
They recommended a local clinic where I duly went only to find out that the doctor there was IN the hospital and besides they didn't really have the equipment needed to check my condition. I asked if they could fill my prescription just in case and the intern said yes. I didn't have it with me, so I went back the next morning only to be told by another intern that as a local clinic they couldn't write a prescription for that particular medicine.
So I went back to KU hospital and they said, well, if you're willing to see a resident and can wait you can do that. If only they'd mentioned that before. So I waited a little over an hour--to be expected since I didn't have an appointment so no problemo--and was seen by a resident who knew exactly what she was doing and I got the care I needed.
I think there are plenty of good doctors in Korea, although obviously not enough, but the system is problematic. And unlike the guy above who paid 5000won, at the big hospitals, it's three to four times that just to see the doctor and then they bill you again afterwards for whatever services you receive.
As for the comment about not having a personal doctor, as long as you see the same doctor they have your records on file. And if you're moving to another area or town where you]ll visit a new doctor and have some kind of ongoing complaint, just ask for a copy of your medical records. they'll give them to you.
Since it was kjinjo who brought that up, I think he could just have them delivered by the Korean motorbike service he's so keen on.  |
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Jodami
Joined: 08 Feb 2013
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:48 am Post subject: |
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Korean doctors/Korean medical care is the pits.
Easily the worst out of any country I've lived in. |
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crescent
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: yes.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Jodami wrote: |
Korean doctors/Korean medical care is the pits.
Easily the worst out of any country I've lived in. |
You've never lived in Canada then. |
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KimchiNinja
Joined: 01 May 2012
Location: Gangnam
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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SK's so far behind the researchers didn't deign to even rank it.
The U.S. lagged mostly in efficiency due to the costs. But, as the researchers stated, that's already improving with Obamacare. Of course, that also points out their agenda--they greatly favor a universal health insurance system.
But if you're up for some unnecessary surgery, SK's the choice. Everybody's gotta make money, right?  |
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KimchiNinja
Joined: 01 May 2012
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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| atwood wrote: |
SK's so far behind the researchers didn't deign to even rank it.
The U.S. lagged mostly in efficiency due to the costs. But, as the researchers stated, that's already improving with Obamacare. Of course, that also points out their agenda--they greatly favor a universal health insurance system. |
The US lagged all over the place, not just costs. Worst health, most inefficient, yet highest cost. A triple FAIL, ouch.
As far as that improving; it is not a survey of nation's irrational hopes and dreams on how their system will do in the future. |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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One of the reasons they will have scored so poorly from what. i understand, is that doctors and nurses dont have to undergo full training to administer care, nor doctors to prescribe medicine.
Its also not surprising when you witness them administering techniques/treatments that were considered obsolete 10-20 years ago. Its apparent they dont stay up to date with current research.
Anyone who has studied medicine would be appalled if they hung around a hospital ward for half a day in korea. |
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EZE
Joined: 05 May 2012
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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| American doctors are better than Korean doctors, on the average. But I still greatly prefer Korea's healthcare system just for the fact that it costs a small fraction of overpriced American healthcare. |
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le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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| EZE wrote: |
| American doctors are better than Korean doctors, on the average. But I still greatly prefer Korea's healthcare system just for the fact that it costs a small fraction of overpriced American healthcare. |
Theres a reason its cheaper, unfortunately.
Like i mentioned earlier, one of the things that most concerns me here, is the quality of the medicine which is plagiarised and not controlled - but cheap.
Not always in life, but in this case, i think you get less than what you pay for - even if it is already cheap. |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:16 pm Post subject: |
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| EZE wrote: |
| American doctors are better than Korean doctors, on the average. But I still greatly prefer Korea's healthcare system just for the fact that it costs a small fraction of overpriced American healthcare. |
Until, and this is a big until, you have a problem more serious that a cold or stomachache. From then on everything is extra. But if you have to stay overnight you do get the opportunity to meet your roommates and their families and make some new friends.
If you go to a large hospital, the co-pays for even basic treatment are more expensive than in the U.S.
But more than likely, unless you had a good job with full benefits which most posting on this board (and their parents?) never seemed to have been able to secure, then your monthly payments, since they're based on your salary, are going to be less than in the U.S.
But man, I even got full medical benefits at a part-time job in the U.S., and the payments were about one-third of what I currently pay in SK.
I don't mean to insult anyone, but unless you lost your job in the Great Recession or are an illegal immigrant, you've got to be pretty much of a loser to have a college education and not be able to get a job that offers major medical as a benefit.
"A small fraction"--Is there a hyperbole virus going around? |
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atwood
Joined: 26 Dec 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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| KimchiNinja wrote: |
| atwood wrote: |
SK's so far behind the researchers didn't deign to even rank it.
The U.S. lagged mostly in efficiency due to the costs. But, as the researchers stated, that's already improving with Obamacare. Of course, that also points out their agenda--they greatly favor a universal health insurance system. |
The US lagged all over the place, not just costs. Worst health, most inefficient, yet highest cost. A triple FAIL, ouch.
As far as that improving; it is not a survey of nation's irrational hopes and dreams on how their system will do in the future. |
Worst health is due to all those great restaurants. Who can resist a Shake Shack burger or a cronut?
Triple fail--we're not talking about the SK soccer team are we? |
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KimchiNinja
Joined: 01 May 2012
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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| atwood wrote: |
| KimchiNinja wrote: |
| atwood wrote: |
SK's so far behind the researchers didn't deign to even rank it.
The U.S. lagged mostly in efficiency due to the costs. But, as the researchers stated, that's already improving with Obamacare. Of course, that also points out their agenda--they greatly favor a universal health insurance system. |
The US lagged all over the place, not just costs. Worst health, most inefficient, yet highest cost. A triple FAIL, ouch.
As far as that improving; it is not a survey of nation's irrational hopes and dreams on how their system will do in the future. |
Worst health is due to all those great restaurants. |
Sure, that's true. The big reason why the US system sucks is because the INTENTION is not for the citizens to have health, the intention is to extract money from them. First you feed them junk and make profits, then they get sick and you make more profits with the "health care" system.
KR's system focuses on prevention, and actually considers things other than profit. |
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