Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sab7503]

I am wondering, how good are Korea's mental heaelth and medical health systems? That is to say, if I needed help for whatever reason, would I be able to find a therapist, doctor, or psychiatrist who spoke English? Would such a person be affordable on a teachers salary? How does the health and mental health insurance work in Korea?

I just want to make sure that if there was an emergency I would be able to get help. I personally have a chronic condition that when managed, isn't a problem 99% of the time. However, I am concerned about whether or not I would be able to get help if the need did arise. So I am wondering, what is everyones opinion about the medical and mental health systems in Korea?

[luv2dance79]

I find it to be quite good. I've had no problems finding English-speaking doctors. In fact, I was seeing one of the best shrinks I've ever talked to at Ajou University Hospital in Suwon. She's no longer here, but I imagine there are still many good doctors around. Other doctors have been pretty willing to help me find an English-speaker too. All my visits have been covered under my health insurance. Some of the meds are a little pricier than others, but for a two months supply it's still relatively cheap. Definitely affordable.

Good Luck.

[kreitler7]

I have a lot of experience with the Korean health system. I don't mean to be rude, but what is the chronic condition? Maybe I could give better advice if I knew what you needed.

[Ilsanman]

The mental part, not sure. But the law and administration relating to it is crap. Ride the subway a bit and you'll know what I mean.

[jajdude]

The walk-in clinics are good, fast, cheap for getting prescriptions. Just learn a few words, like "prescription" for the front counter. Most doctors know some English. Some meds are scarcer in pharmacies, but might get them for you the next day.

[Fishead soup]

There's an English speaking Shrink working at the international clinic in Iteawon. He's pretty laid back. He speaks English without an accent. He has a good bed side manner and I'm sure if you are having problems he would be a good person to talk to.

[Luna]

I have some experience trying to find medication here for mental health. (f you want more information you can pm me) However from the sound of it I probably am being treated for something a little different.

I've mostly kept to the larger hospitals and the International clinic in Itaewon. I haven't had many problems making appointments at short notice and the doctors are nice and weren't judgmental at all. I brought my diagnostic paperwork with me, but it wasn't necessary in most cases.

Once you get the prescription from the doctor it can be hard to get the prescription filled. Try to find a pharmacy near a major hospital - the doctor will tell you that if the pharmacist doesn't have the medication then they can order it for you. Or the doctor may recommend a specific pharmacy.

My experience was that after going to the clinic in Itaewon and visiting the recommended pharmacies there none of them would order it for me. I didn't know how to ask them if they could order it but they certainly didn't offer. I then tried to go to pharmacies near a local hospital. I visited 9 pharmacies near the hospital before the pharmacists finally offered to order it for me. It was rather frustrating.

Also - while the visit will probably be at least partially insured the mediation may not be covered under insurance at all. Or you may have to change medication.
My medication isn't insured in Korea. Apparently my condition ceases to be covered under insurance (and stops existing as a problem altogether) at a certain age. It's quite expensive.

I'm not sure if you actually needed all that information - but maybe it could be helpful for someone else.

[LateBloomer]

It depends where you are and the individual medical facility you deal with. I'm in Incheon and have had major problems. At the first corner hospital I went to for an infected finger, the doctor couldn't speak enough English to instruct me how to take the medication he prescribed. The whole episode turned into a nightmare and I ended up having to see an English-speaking doctor in Seoul.

Even at a large teaching hospital in Incheon, the support staff don't speak any English and the English ability of the doctors varies greatly. I've given up trying to do business over the phone. Even though they have an English website, the first time I called, I was passed around for 25 minutes before they could find someone who spoke enough English to determine why I was calling. Made me wonder what would happen if one had a potentially serious and immediate problem.

Regarding mental health issues, when I started having anxiety attacks, I was referred to a GP at the above-mentioned hospital. It's clear that many GPs in Korea are unfamiliar with anxiety medications that are common in NA. I was given a dosage that wouldn't sedate a goldfish and the doctor was afraid to give me more. It was a waste of time seeing him I finally managed to see a psychiatrist who quadrupled the strength of the medication I'd been given.

Another commmon frustration is that pharmacists ofter write the name of medication on a bottle with a marker. I've tried to check drug interactions but the names of medications have been spelled incorrectly.

Anyway, although many medical procedures and medications are reasonably priced compared to Canada, having health problems here can
be frustrating, time-consuming and sometimes scary. (In 18 months, I've been treated for food poisoning, blood poisoning, anxiety problems and more)....The good news is that I've never had to wait long to see a doctor--although I sometimes couldn't understand him or questioned the treatment prescribed. I did find one very good and thorough doctor (out of six) who speaks English very well.

There have recently been other threads on medical issues. Check them out.

[normalcyispasse]

I've had excellent luck with the health care here.

[CentralCali]

Don't the major hospitals have pharmacies in them? I'd think your best bet to get medicines their doctors prescribe would be to first try their hospital's yak-guk.

[kat2]

If you ahve any serious conditions (mental or physical) than it's best to stay in the Seoul area. You have much better access to health professionals that actually know what they are doing and can speak English. It's completely hit and miss with doctors around here. Some are quite good. Some don't seem to have ever cracked a medical text book.

[keysbottles]

I took my U.S. med bottles with me to the doctor for refills. The system did not cover one of my meds and the pharmacy had to order overnight and it was more expensive,,still half what it cost in the States. They even put the new meds in my bottles to avoid confusion.

[sab7503]

Thankyou everyone, for your suggestions.

[OiGirl]

[icicle]

It does really all depend upon which medications you are on ... Some are not routinely used in Korea (ie may only be used in a couple of places) and you may have more trouble getting them ... But there are people who can help you find what you need ... I have had the most success in finding the right person by emailing the International Clinics in the main hospital and asking them if they used the medication (this was after 2 had not been able to help) and one of them was able to tell me (after making enquiries) where I could have it prescribed. My problem has been well controlled long term on the medication that I take ... But I am in the situation where I cannot take any of the alternative medications due to severe side effects. I would second the advise that it will be easier to get help / medication in Seoul than anywhere else. I live outside of Seoul (not too far) and do need to go to Seoul to get most English speaking medical care. It is also true that the cultural attittude towards mental health issues here is much more negative than it is now in most western countries ... so I have deliberately made the choice not to talk about this with my school (For me it is very much a medical issue which is very well controlled)

Icicle