Japan Healthcare Info blog has shifted to the new web site http://japanhealthinfo.com/
The new site has a lot more information on Japanese healthcare. Looking forward to your visit.

Things to keep in mind-Visiting hospitals at night/on weekends

Though the frequency is low you might need to make an emergency visit to a hospital at night or on weekends.
In Tokyo it is not easy to find a medical center that is open 24H/365 days. Instead, there are some local hospitals and clinics that are on duty under the rotation (Rota) system at night and on weekends. Check the website of your local medical association. For example, if you live in Shibuya-ku find Shibuya-ku Ishikai page (Shibuya-ku Medical Association) and search for the clinics/hospitals on duty. Many places are open until around 20:00. On weekends they may close earlier. Make sure you call the clinic/hospital you wish to visit before you go to see if they accept patients.
We can make a list of medical centers that is open in your area at night/on weekends in English. Send an inquiry to our email
at contact@japanhealthinfo.com. Other assistance is available on request.

It is very important to call the clinic/hospital to see if they can accept you before you visit on weekends or at night. Due to the limited number of staff at night or weekends, it is not guaranteed that the clinic/hospital can treat a patient at the particular time you want to visit. In that case you will need to find another place to go. In particular, after midnight, public holidays, New Year and the Bon holidays there are a only few institutions available, so If you have a symptom before long holidays it is strongly recommended to see a doctor as early as you can.

Also, if a clinic/hospital you have been to as a patient before accepts after hour patients, call and ask if they can treat you. Because you are a returning patient they have your information on file, so you have more chance to be accepted.

Because the number of clinics/hospitals with foreign language speaking staff is very limited on weekends or at night, if you don't speak Japanese ask someone who can speak Japanese to call and possibly go to the clinic/hospital with you.

Bring your health insurance card and ID. Making payment at after hour or on holidays can be different to weekdays, so it is safer to bring more money than usual. Big hospitals usually have an ATM located in the building.

How to find clinics/hospitals for your specific needs

Personal preferences to find a clinic or hospital for your specific needs differ greatly. So it is best to ask specialised person about choices and suggestions for your conditions. You are most welcome to ask us about health car
providers in Tokyo/Kanto area. Send a message to contact@japanhealthinfo.com

We will find detailed information(including maps and how to get there) and send it to you via email/fax. We will get back to you with the information within the next 24 hours. It is free of charge.

Examples are as follows;

-I am new in Japan. I sprained my ankle and need to see a doctor.

-I may be pregnant. I want to know what to do about pregnancy and childbirth in Japan.

-I want to find a family doctor/pediatrician near my house.

-I went to see a clinic near my house but the doctor there only spoke Japanese. I am not sure if my condition is OK. I want to see and English-speaking doctor.

-I want to see an English-speaking professional counsellor for mental health related problems.

Currently we are preparing for the phone service as well. Will upload the phone number so that we can help put emergency cases.

No GP in Japan-which department should I go?

Japanese clinics are divided into specialized departments, such as internal medicine or dermatology, and there is no General Practitioner available. Patients must decide which department to visit according to their symptoms. Usually each clinic has one specialized treatment department, such as ABC ob/gyn clinic. In those clinics often they only have one or two specialist doctor is working, so if your symptom is not covered by the physician's area as specialist you will need to go to other clinic.


If you don’t know where to go you can consult us at contact@japanhealthinfo.com (free service).


～This is the example of treatments departments in a big hospital. (Japanese in brackets)


Internal Medicine(Jyunkankika)
- Respiratory Medicine (Kokyuki)
- Gastroenterology (Syoukaki)
- Nephrology and ndocrinology (Jinzounaika, Naibunpitsu)
- Oncology (Syouyouka)
- Allergy and Rheumatology (Arerugi Ryumachika)


Surgery
- General Surgery (Geka)
- Cardiovascular Surgery (Shinnzoukekkanngeka)
- Neurosurgery (Noushinnkeigeka)
- Anesthesiology(Masuika)
- Urology (Hinyoukika)

Others
- Dermatology (Hifuka)
- Ophthalmology (Ganka)
- Orthopaedic Surgery (Seikeigeka)
- Otorhinolayngology (Jibiinnkouka)
- Rehabilitation Medicine (Rihabiritesyonnka)
- Plastic Surgery (Keiseigeka)
- Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery(koukugeka)
- Pediatrics (Syounika)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (Sanfujinka)

-Neuropsychiatry (Seishinshinkeika)

-Radiology(Housyasenka)

Big hospitals-from registration to payment

In big hospitals often you receive a number card to see a doctor, to pay the bill and to receive your medication. Your turn will be shown on the electric board. But this is not always the case so ask the receptionist or guide if you are not sure what to do.

What to do before doctor's consultation at a big hospital

1．Submit your Health insurance card to the receptionist and if you are a new patient, tell the receptionist "Shoshin Desu" (first consultation). If you are a returning patient, submit the registration card as well. If you have a private health insurance, tell the receptionist that as well.

2．If you are a returning patient, fill out ★the interview sheet. If you don't read Japanese at all, consult the receptionist.
In that case often you don't need to fill out the form. Instead a doctor will ask you the questions on the sheet.

3．Go to the treatment department and submit your registration card.

4．Go to the waiting room and wait until your name is called or ★your number is shown on the electric board. In that case a number card is given to you from a receptionist.

5．Enter the consultation room and see a doctor.

6．Make the next appointment with your doctor if necessary and receive your personal information file.

★Interview sheet (問診票 monshinhyou)

The sheet to fill out your medical history or current symptoms and medication.

★Number machine

the machine automatically selects the patient’s order to be called, according to their appointment information.
You can receive your number card form this machine. If you have trouble with it ask the volunteer guide or hospital staff.

After the consultation

 

(1)．Go to the payment section and submit your billing information file. Receive your number card for payment.

(2)．When your turn comes, pay the bill at the payment counter. Receive your prescription.

(3)．If you wish to receive medicine within the hospital, go to the pharmacy in the hospital itself. Or you can get your medication with your prescription from a pharmacy outside of the hospital.

Japanese hospitals and clinics-what are they like?

*Hospitals*

Japanese Hospitals can offer medical treatments for both outpatients and inpatients. Hospitals are run by medical universities, municipals and some are private owned. Reasons for Japanese people to visit hospitals are often they are referred by local clinics, conveniently located or just because they want to receive care from well-equipped facility.

Many big and highly specialized hospitals require patients to prepare a referral letter and make appointments before they visit. In fact, you can visit most hospitals without a referral letter but they charge extra fee in those cases. The price range of charge is from 2,000 yen to 5,000 yen. Many hospitals do not require first consultation appointments. Patients usually make their visits between 9:00 to 11:00am. Sat, Sun and Public Holidays are closed.

Hospitals are called Byouin in Japanese.

*Clinics*

If you feel sick, local clinics are the first place to visit. They provide patients with primary care. There are various kinds of clinics in Japan, such as clinics that are run by only one doctor, or even clinics that accept inpatient admissions. Clinics are called kurinikku (which means clinic) or iin (which means doctor’s office) in Japanese.

Please note that clinics are also commonly referred to as byouinn, which means hospital in Japanese. Japanese distinguish clinic and hospital, by referring to hospitals as Ooki Byouin (big hospital).

Generally speaking, if you feel ill, first you visit a local clinic. Then if the doctor decides that you need a specialized treatment you will be referred to a hospital.

Most Clinics are open weekdays. Keep in mind that there is a lunch break for one or two hours between morning and afternoon consultations. Many clinics are open on Saturday mornings, but closed in the afternoon. On Sundays and Public holidays most clinics are closed all day. Consultation hours of big hospitals vary and are different depending on treatment departments, so make sure you check if they are open before you make a visit.

It is strongly recommended to call or check their website to see if they are open before you go. In particular, small clinics or hospitals tend to have irregular hours/holidays.

Japanese clinics are divided into specialized departments, such as internal medicine or dermatology, and there is no General Practitioner available. Patients must decide which department to visit according to which part of the body they have symptoms with. If you don’t know which department to go you can send email and ask me. It is of free of charge.

Introduction to the healthcare info blog

Hello and welcome to my blog!

My name is Raindrop and I am a bilingual, certified medical social worker.

I have launched my project to provide medical coordinating service to international population living in Tokyo/Kanto area. With this blog,  I will introduce my project and services. 

First, I would like to tell you a little bit about why I started this project.

I am Japanese and living in Japan all my life, but I find Japanese healthcare systems not easy to understand and utilize.

I have a long-term chronic illness myself, so I went through a lot of experience in using healthcare services in this country. There were many dramas and struggles.

I imagined if I had not spoken Japanese and became sick in Japan, it would be very difficult and unpleasant. I have provided support to many international people so far, and many of them stressed the language and cultural barrier when using healthcare service in Japan.

I want to use my language skill and experience working in healthcare field and become a 'bridge' between international patients and Japanese healthcare professionals/institutions.