health hokkaido: Broken Bones

| "don't be bullied" |

Age: 37

Nationality: Australian

Occupation: Property Manager

Education: B.A Geography

Time in Japan: 15 years

What was the reason for your visit to the hospital?

I broke my collar bone snowboarding.

Was there any reason you hadn't been to the hospital earlier?

Hospitals are closed in Sunday. Otherwise I would have gone earlier.

Did you have any fears or anxiety?

I did have but since I found a good hospital I feel more relaxed about going.

In your own words please tell me what happened when you arrived at the hospital?

It depends on the time. I have often had a standoff with the staff. I have to make them listen until they realize I can speak to them in their own language. Then I’ve also had trouble filling in forms and diagnosis sheets. I have had a number of problems. There have been mix ups between the reception, radiologists and the waiting room.

What were your first impressions?

Friendly and helpful but sometimes the staff are too nervous to listen. This resulted in mix ups. An example of this was when I told doctor I had food poisoning but no diarrhea. The doctor then doled out 3 or 4 different types of medicine for diarrhea.

What do you think are the main differences between hospitals in Japan and those in your own country?

The doctor is God here, not at home. Consultation times are longer in Australia. The doctor listens a lot more and asks more questions at home. I have never been asked about my medical history except for the forms I filled out when I arrived at the hospital in Japan.

Do you have any advice for people about to visit the hospital?

Avoid it if possible. Don't feel bullied out of the examination room until you are satisfied with the doctors diagnosis.