Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Koreabound2004]

Well I have just returned to work after being off sick for two days with a cold...

The second day off, my coteacher told my bf I should go to the hospital. Being from Canada, we laughed, and said we would take some NyQuil and make some chicken soup. We explained that if we were to go to the hospital in Canada for something as silly as a common cold, we would be told to go home, and come back with a "real" medical issue.

So I am back at work today. They tell me I should "keep healthy" and whatever, bla bla bla. My coteacher tells my prinicpal about me not going to the hospital and my reasoning behind it. The principal then tells him that he thinks the Korean health care system is better than Canada's.

I am still sick, and this made me even more annoyed to be back today.

Well, which system is better???

[Swiss James]

*sigh* let's just cut to the chase, the Canadian system is much better, Korea sucks etc.

[I_Am_Wrong]

well...it sorta like apples and oranges to be honest.

In Canada we have socialized health care so most people don't go to the doctor is it's not a big issue because it's a drain on the system's resources. However, there are lots of people in Canada who think that because it's "free" they should go to the doctor for something as simple as a common cold.

In Canada there is also this thing called TRUST whereby, your employer usually trusts your judgement...here they don't trust your judgement thus, you need a doctor's note.

In the United States, most people don't go to the doctor because it'll cost them an arm and a leg and lots of people will put it off for even very serious matters.

In Korea they don't trust your judgement they trust the doctor's. Also, going to the doctor is relatively inexpensive. Finally, like in all countries...some people are just stupid.

[thorin]

You stayed home for two days with a cold? I didn't know sick days existed here. My coworkers would come to work with the bubonic plague.

[peemil]

Jesus... I hate getting sick. I just can't be bothered putting up with the stares and the hate in the place when I return the next day.

Did it once. Won't ever do it again. Even though I've had times when if I was in the West I would call the boss and say...

"Sorry Boss. Too sick to come in today... I'll be in tomorrow."

[hellofaniceguy]

Come on OP....don't let what koreans say ruffel your feathers!
Health care in korea is maybe better than Laos, Vietnam, and other not so well off nations. But koreans...don't take it personal......you're not even in the same boat as Canada or the US! Or Europe or Australia! Your boat is taking on water!
Let��s take a simple issue such as cleanliness and being sanitary. Rubber gloves for one.
I have gotten up out of two dental chairs in two different dentist offices when they, the dentist, started to put his fingers in my mouth without wearing rubber gloves. I don��t know where his fingers were 10 minutes ago! Am I being a jerk about it? I don��t care....it��s my mouth.
Same with a visit to the medical doctor��s office...he started to perform a procedure that in the US....doctors wears gloves.
I have been to a few hospitals in korea to see friends who were patients and the rooms were dirty and overall...the hospitals were filthy. Nurses are lazy, incompetent and worthless.
Doctors think they are God��s in korea! Rude, no bedside manners...just plain jerks.
And for what it��s worth....I taught for two years at a korean medical college and a nurses college!
Hospitals are full of people who would not be in the hospital in Canada or the US over some minor BS! A bunch of cry babies Koreas are. And what��s with the patients walking around outside hooked to an IV wearing PJ��s...smoking a cigarette and then going back into the room with other patients?! Where are koreans' brain housing groups? Walking on them?

[Koreabound2004]

I am entitled to 15 paid sick days, according to my contract, and I am gonna use em.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

[mindmetoo]

[thorin]

[qwunk89]

well, i must say that while health care in both Canada and the US may be superior in some ways, korean health care is much more thorough and a heck of a lot CHEAPER. Did you ever try to go to a hospital in Canada or the US without health insurance, or even to the emergency room with insurance? Well, let me tell you it ain't cheap. I was recently traveling in Canada with my girlfriend who paid $457.00 for a 15 min emergency room visit, during which the overworked physician gave her the once over told her she seemed fine at the time and to get a family doctor to investigate further. The next day she went to a clinic and they didn't have time to figure out anything either. Another $70.00 for basically nothing. Same thing happened in the US. When she got back to Korea she went to the hospital and they examined her thoroughly for 2 hours and found the problem. Granted it was an insurance issue as well. But I still think the system here is a lot more economical and efficient. Now cleanliness, sterilization, and old vodoo methods may be another issue.

[Ilsanman]

It's not just a money issue here. It's a time issue. In Canada, I broke out in red spots one day, and had to leave, not knowing what it was. I was hoping that if it were not serious, just go back to work and not lose some of my wage.

Well, the 20 people in fromt of me in line put a damper on that plan. I bet at least 50% didn't need to be there. Anyways, I found out 2 hours and a bit later that it was because of some muscle relaxant medication I was on, due to the car accident I was in a few weeks before, where I also had a long wait at the hospital to get looked at.

I love wasting my time like that.

Since I am relatively healthy and rarely see the doctor, I would take Korea's system. In the future, (if it's still the same) Canada's system for actual competence.

[Blind Willie]