Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MaestroCantus]

Hello everyone,

I went to the hospital yesterday just to get some antibiotics, but the doctor claimed that I needed surgery --- I didn't believe him, but now I sort of see that there might be tissue damage that might be remedied best by some sort of procedure.

I just don't like agreeing to anything without fully understanding and discussing what will happen . . . the problem is that I live in Bundang, and even though the doctors seem to be able to speak limited English, I really don't feel comfortable agreeing to any actions taken without my consent and knowledge of their purpose.

I know that I'm picky . . . but it's my body, and I should know what's being done and why. So many times in Korea, I've always been led blindly through the system (like when doing my Alien Registration), and frequent communication issues make me wary of agreeing to any procedure that would probably be assisted by non-English-speaking people who wouldn't be able to tell me why, or explain things.

Any advice? Are there any hospitals where English is spoken relatively fluently?

[Gaber]

You didn't mention what city you're in. Severance is the best option I know of
http://wiki.galbijim.com/Severance_Hospital

Edit: Duuuuuh. Reading fail.

[Xuanzang]

http://wiki.galbijim.com/Hospitals_with_english-speaking_staff

Find the one closest to your house.

[prideofidaho]

If you live in Bundang, you can get to Yonsei Severence (closest subway is Sinchon station).

I've been there....many many times. You can expect to be treated in English if you visit the International clinic. The staff is headed by an American man, and the other staff are perfectly capable of helping you. It's a clinic, though, so if you need surgery or other stuff done that they cannot accomodate, you will be sent to another department in that hospital. They will send you with a guide. This person is a volunteer (I think), and from my experience they are very helpful, but may not speak English.

There's a poster on here who is a Doctor at another hospital (think his/her handle is Dr. Love), so try PMing him/her for first hand info.

For what it's worth, I had a foot injury that did not require surgery, but I did get it sorted at a local Pyongwan (hostpial in korean) with no problems.

Hope you get it sorted, sounds painful!

[MaestroCantus]

Nah, it's not painful (unless pressed), but then again, I have a very high pain tolerance.

I got a second opinion from an English-speaking doctor at a different hospital --- I thought it was nicer than the first. (Recommends, in MY situation, trying the antibiotics for 3 or 4 days, and then reevaluating . . . the same thing I had in mind when I saw the first doctor who merely wanted to hack a chunk out of my toe).

I'm glad that the second opinion matched my first impression, and I didn't go with the scissor-happy doctor's advice without consulting another doctor.

[ChinaBoy]

You should go home immediately. There are a lot of butchers who will attempt to take off most of your toe.