Korean Job Discussion Forums

Jeweltone · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul, S. Korea

Hospitals in Korea can be notoriously traumatic, so I would like to post my positive experience (well, as positive as anything medical can be) at Soongchunhyang University Hospital in Hannam-dong.

I have been seriosuly ill with a stomach complaint for about a week now, and I was referred by the Itaewon International Clinic to the International Clinic at this hospital for some tests.

I went in there with some serious trepidation, as my last experience (serious food allergic reaction) in a "university hospital" was truly wretched and made the problem worse with a medical allergy. AVOID CHUNG ANG UNIVERSITY YONGSAN HOSPITAL!!!

I entered the hospital, and went to the information desk. The man spoke passable English, and directed me to the intake woman, who spoke excellent English. She immediately informed me that there was a translator available for 5,000 Won extra from the International Clinic. I agreed, so she made a quick phone call and pointed me in the right direction. This took no more than three minutes.

I arrived, and, after giving my information, was ushered in to see the doctor who speaks very good English; I believe he speaks Spanish as well. He also has a decidedly Western style of treatment, but with an Eastern bedside manner (he was a bit harsh with me at first because I started crying in my misery). He looked at my lab results and set up an appointment for me to have further tests done. The translator then escorted me to the ER to get some IV fluids (I was very dehydrated).

In the ER, I noticed things were a bit chaotic, but as I watched I realized it was a very organized chaos; eyes were everywhere and patients movements were noted. Nurse interns immediately changed bedsheets and cleaned when a patient left. Of course, it was still a Korean ER, but the staff seemed very calm and efficient. I saw one nurse calm down a clearly distraught middle school girl with a soothing voice and firm but gentle hands.

My observations end here because the dry-heaving began again. The doctor did come back to check on me later and gave a tentative diagnosis (awaiting test results) with medication.

I went through the tests today, and once again, the translator shadowed me and helped me with everything. The endoscopy was uncomfortable (to say the least), but I had a soothing nurse by my side helping me focus on breathing (in America, they sedate you apparently) rather than the large rubber tube shoved down my throat! The nurse allowed me to look at the pictures of my insides when I asked, though I think she was a bit surprised that I asked!

The doctor was able to confirm my suspicions as to the cause of my problem (more complicated than I expected however - long story). He showed me the sonogram and endoscopy photos, explaining everything pertinent to me.

So the moral is, I would recommend the hospital/international clinic at Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Hannam-dong. The clientele of the clinic seem to be mostly embassy employees of all nationalities. No one in the hospital appeared to be surprised to see a whitey.

Their website is: http://www.schuh.ac.kr/international/international_01_01.asp

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:31 pm Post subject:

I've also had a good experience with them. My case was a vasectomy, and it went flawlessly. Discretion with the post-procedure sample-gathering was appreciated, too.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I am glad you had a positive experience. I wish I could say the same thing.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=49536&highlight=

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:54 am Post subject:

pdxsteve · Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Location: Bundang

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

I didn't say in SCH in Bucheon. It was a smaller, lesser known hospital.

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

I can't say that I had a great experience at this hospital. The nurses and doctors were ok, but some of the crap pulled was less than pleasant.

3 weeks ago, my wife who is 7 months pregnant started losing amniotic fluid. We rushed to the hospital, which is an hour away from where we are. 70,000 won ambulance ride. (no biggy, but added to everything else, it was an expensive couple weeks)

We arrived in the wee hours of Friday night/ Sat morn, depending on perspective. Nurses came in and checked everything out. Put her on an IV to replenish fluids. It wasn't until Monday that we had met our Doctor. At which point he said that she would be there for 5 weeks, at which point they would give birth.

Now we had made prior arrangements that when we came to the hospital to give birth, on the grounds that she would only need to be there 4 days, we opted for the single room at 250,000 per night. The Marriott it is not, but once being told she was going to be there for 5 weeks, we transferred her to the regular ward.

Cue ahead to her first night in the regular maternity ward. TV was turned off at 10 pm after I inquired why it wasnt turned off at 9 as should be. I guess one of the pregnant lady's mother was so involved with her drama that she couldn't go to the waiting lounge. Anger 1 sets in.

Lights weren't turned off until midnight. My wife had been ordered bedrest and is supposed to sleep with neon glaring down on her??? Anger 2

At 5 am, a woman starts giving birth across the hall. Her screaming and moaning, as women do, and not faulting her, woke everyone up in the maternity ward across the room because the staff failed to close the doors to either rooms. Anger 3, maybe add a 4 here just cause.

Cue ahead a week and a half. Wife is taken off the IV, and is given meds to stop her contractions. All looks well, and she is told that if everything goes smoothly overnight, she can be released the next day. BUT, would she mind transferring to another ward, because 2 women are about to give birth, and the babies will be staying in the maternity ward, so it might be loud. No problem, you have my wife's interests at heart, we will help out. She is transferred to a room half the size, and twice the patients. Visitors eveywhere, tv blaring, windows open, sirens going off. Bed rest indeed. I rush down to the hospital and say these circumstances are unacceptable. If she was going to leave tomorrow, she can leave tonight, and be in the comfort of our own home.

Not that I blaming the nurses or doctors... but the admin SUCKED. Furthermore, if you go to this hospital, and are there for an extended period of time, DON"T ORDER THE MEALS. Have a friend bring you in something. If you notice at admissions, they state that the meals are 10,000 won, well apperently that is for the Korean dish. The Foreign meals are 15,000 won. I could have brought her something from Outback, or Subway, or pretty much anywhere and she would have eaten better, and for cheaper. I ended up paying 500,000 won for her meals alone.

I have my issues with this Hospital, and would not suggest it to anyone. If you want more details, I would be more than happy to oblige. BTW nurses, doctors and the translation staff were great, but there was some serious common sense missing.

My 2 cents.

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

I would prefer to stay at home with a nurse coming by now and then instead of going to the hospital.

Hospitals here are just not up to scratch.

Jeweltone · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul, S. Korea

I did not stay overnight; I know how Korean hospitals are from visiting friends, and I chose to be an outpatient instead (at least I was given a choice). As I said in my post, the ER was chaos, but monitored chaos. I did not like being there as it was noisy, but even American hospitals can be like this. My grandmother was in a temporary bed in an American hospital ER for 14 hours after a bad fall!

This hospital is clean at least, which is more than I can say for many clinics and hospitals I have seen. We are in a second world country, after all, so I have low expectations.

I think the doctor's analysis was correct, unlike some doctors I have had to deal with. I did the research on my condition, and he had pretty much nailed it.

My health is rotten right now, and I think this will be my last year in Korea.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Isn't the Number 1 requirement for Vasectomies, is that they do in fact go flawlessly. Not a lot of margin for error on that one.

contrarian · Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Location: Nearly in NK

I hate needles. I am afraid of the darn things.

First time I was treated in Korea was cutting a corn from between two toes. Since I am scared of needles I said not to use a local. It hurt a bit but better than a needle.

He then disinfected the wound by pouring ethanol over it. That was a real attention getter. I survived and the sob just grinned at me!

Shocked

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:

elksnitis · Joined: 16 Feb 2005 Location: Itaewon

I would definately recommend the international clinic at SCH in Hannam-dong. They are extremely friendly, accommodating, and understanding. The nurses accompany you to any other ward of the hospital you need to visit, the doctor speaks good English, and knows what he is talking about. My husband and I have been there for everything from a throat infection to a broken sternum. The only possible cons would be that the hospital itself isn't the nicest looking, and the doctor can be a little too blunt. Overall, best international clinic we have been to in Korea by far.