Shanghai Expat :: View topic - What to do in a Chinese Hospital

Shanghai Expat

Health Care Issues - What to do in a Chinese Hospital

Anniboodk - Mar 15, 2005 - 09:42 AM
Post subject: What to do in a Chinese Hospital

Today, I had to go to the doctors, but since I couldn't get an appointment at World Link that day and I didn't know what hospitals have a "foreigners" section, I went to the hospital near my home which was a completely local hospital. It is quite a process but I thought that I'd pass on the procedural information for anyone who ever finds themselves at a local hospital and needing to see a doctor:

1. Once you enter the hospital, you must go the the reception counter to get a piece of paper with a number on it. They will also ask you what is wrong so that they can give you the numbered piece of paper that sends you to the right department.

2.After that, you take your piece of paper and stand in line by the registration counter (it is written in English), when it's your turn, you hand them your ID/passport and then they do some paper work and charge you some administration fee (mine was RMB 16). You are then handed a wad of papers and a plastic card and told to go to the department to see a doctor. Don't loose these papers or card coz they state that you have paid the administration fee and have gone through the previous processes.

3. You find the right department and wait in line to see the doctor where they do their thing and diagnose you and send you off with some additional papers.

4. You must then take these papers to the Payment counter and wait in line to pay. They will then stamp some of the papers to show that you have paid for the medicine and send you on your way.

5. Armed with these stamped papers you should then proceed to the medicine counter to pick up your medicine. Please note that there are western medicine and Chinese medicine counters. So you must go to the right one to pick up your medicine. I got both types so that was a tad confusing.

6. Now you can get out of there.

It's kind of frustrating to run around and go to the various places, but if you know the system, it's a tiny bit less hectic. You can always try asking someone where you should go but I got sent to the wrong place a few times, so that made this experience a little more annoying than it had to be. Anyways, with this procedural map, next time I should be ok.

Anniboodk - Mar 15, 2005 - 09:44 AM
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Oops, just realised that this should be posted in the "Health Section". Could Moderators move it please? Thanks.

yu888 - Mar 15, 2005 - 11:36 AM
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good information thanks!

littleT - Mar 15, 2005 - 12:22 PM
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You may want to consider Hua Shan Hospital outpatient clinic next time. The level of English is good & my wife and I were pleased with the service. 1068 Chang Le Lu

Michael - Mar 15, 2005 - 12:38 PM
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In PuDong - Renji is not bad. I have heard OK things about HuaShan in terms of quality of care. but when I went there they went out of their way to jack up the price.

Maybe it is not a factor if you have great insurance coverage, but we are just on plan that has a high deductible.- so it was likely to be out of pocket.

I just went through all this with a few different chinese hospitals. I needed a very simple operation. Most of my friends would call me crazy for getting an operation locally, but it was an education.

In a nutshell.. I went to HuaShan - who wanted 30k to 50K RMB.. .Renji who wanted 17K. and finally settled on Beijing DaXue Hospital in Shenzhen ( where I am alot anyway) for the same procedure, 6 days of hospital stay in a semi private room, and medications for 8K RMB. Their care was pretty good and their pain management was excellent.

uglyamerican - Apr 20, 2005 - 09:01 PM
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What to do in a Chinese hospital?
Call your insurance broker for a quick quote on a life policy.

olesechka - Apr 20, 2005 - 09:17 PM
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Well, I have also some experience to share:) It is all happening in Beijing but I guess must not be that different in other places.

I injured my foot and could not walk, it got swollen. So I come to a Chinese hospital withthe help of my boyfriend. First we need to pay registration fee of 5 yuans, then we get to a doctor. Luckily he speaks some English, so we could communicate quite well. Actually what I needed is to "operate" a bit and make a dressing. I started myself taking antibiotics. Prior to doing any action he send my boyfriend to pay some bill, totally he had to go four times, not bad:) He says that I need to take infusion, ok, I think, it is a much better wxay to deliver medicine to teh body. But then I realize that I have been sitting for 1.5 hours and got over with only one out of three bottles. I call the doctor and say that I will not take the other medicine as it is too long, then he says that the speed of dropping will be increased and finally I am done with totally 2.5 hours. I have to come for three days for this infusion. But the funniest thing is that everybody in the room for infusion is sitting there for 2-3 hours, it does not matter wether a person looks as a healthy one or a really sick one.

I was told afterwards that they like infusion in every kind of healing, it is a normal procedure here. A bit odd I find.

And for the condition of the hospital. Frankly much leaves to be desired, you enter and feel teh odor of the sold food, a hospital is a place where everything should be clean, sterilized...well I will not describe some awful details of antisanitarianism that I saw over there. Well, a developing country, someday, hopefully, it will improve.

Benoist_Shanghai - Apr 22, 2005 - 07:39 PM
Post subject: Re: What to do in a Chinese Hospital.

Anniboodk wrote:

They will also ask you what is wrong so that they can give you the numbered piece of paper that sends you to the right department.

Or not so right one.
These people are not doctors; they are not qualified to make a valid diagnosis. And it seems that when you are sent into a specific line, your chances to be treated well are slim by the time someone realises that your problem is not pulmunary but cardiac...

Talk to foreign doctors working in local hospitals and you will hear scary stories.

If not for a cold or benign trouble, do think twice before going local. Indeed, things can go just fine if there are no complicaitons and suprises, and we all know people who gave birth or had operations in VIP/foreigners sections local hospitals. But again, if things start getting of the track, my unserstanding is that you really have to worry, not only about availability of medicine and of operational equipment, but also practise/experience.

b.

MaomingMaster - Apr 23, 2005 - 05:32 AM
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I've been to Huashan hospital. I had to go there for some throat/lung infection nasty. The level of English there was very good and the nurse gave me a massive reduction in the bill (approx 200rmb) because I helped her with an English essay she had to write! English lessons for medicine - whatever...

Earlier this week I was feeling like total crap and couldn't eat anything (or hold it down at least) and went to a hospital near to Xujiahui. It's a massive place, but I can't remember the name or the exact street. No-one speaks English there but I was with the girlfriend who dealt with everything.

The service was pretty quick, but a little chaotic. While the doctor was diagnosing me there were several others in there trying to get her attention until she told them all to piss off out. One girl was stood outside staring at me, slackjawed.

Picked up some medicine and then went to this place for a jab which was witnessed by whoever wanted to have a look at my arse.

In and out in under an hour (the hospital, I mean, not the injection) and the cost was well under 100 rmb including taxis.

fukuman - Apr 25, 2005 - 10:05 PM
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i broke 7 bones, the loca quack only saw 1 in the x-rays ( stay away from Aomen lu karting!!!)

i only got to c an American doctor because i wa the 1st whitey at the hospital. he saw that the cast i'd had for 4 days was useless and my hand was broken in 6 other different places.

DONT TRUST CHINESE DOCTORS. they r cheap but useless.

i have horror stories a go go bout chinese hospitals. but for simple things , they can be cheap and effective . Hua shan tried to charge a friend 4000 rmb for sth that was 130 rmb in a normal hospital. common flu crap

Anniboodk - Apr 26, 2005 - 07:38 AM
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That's a pretty messed up story, Fukuman. I agree with you though, For general colds and simple stuff, I think that the local hospitals are good enough, but if I ever needed an operation or anything that required blood work, there is no way in hell I'd go to a local hospital. I'd rather pay 500% more for peace of mind.

uglyamerican - May 06, 2005 - 07:23 AM
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Quote:

peace of mind

You mean for life's sake, right?

finlayson - May 06, 2005 - 08:29 AM
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I don't know where I can get peace of mind. When I lived in Vancouver I have had the most awful experieces with the hospitals and doctors. My 2 year old daugther once broke her arm and dislocated her elbow. We went to the emergency and was told "everything was ok". When I asked the doctor why my daughter was in so much pain I was told word by word "that will remain as a myth". I insisted on him double checking the xray and he told me again and again nothing was wrong. Now I have heard all of these stories in Shanghai and I am just wondering, where can i find peace of mind?

Alexinchina - May 16, 2005 - 08:58 PM
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Finlayson: For kids try Fudan University Childrens Hospital. My year old daughter had heart surgery there 6 weeks ago and we were more than impressed with the level of care. From what we hear, when it gets specific the Chinese doctors are great, it's the primary care (colds, flu etc.) that sometimes leaves a little to be desired. We had no option to take our baby home because we really didn't want to put her on a plane in the condition she was in.

MahamYe - May 16, 2005 - 10:29 PM
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wow alexinchina, so glad to hear that everything is ok. Where/how was the condition diagnosed? Do you have a doctor there that you recommend at Fudan?

Alexinchina - May 17, 2005 - 03:59 PM
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Condition was diagnosed in Denmark when the baby was born but we all thought that it was something that would right itself with time, but no. WorldLink sent us to Fudan when she started showing signs of heart failure and a Dr Jia (pediatric heart surgeon) performed the op. All this said I still take her to Dr Jenkins at WorldLink for most things because he's the best pediatrician I have come accross, he just can't perfom heart surgery!

finlayson - June 06, 2005 - 10:02 PM
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Thanks a lot for the information AlexinChina! It's great to know that I can find a GOOD pediatrician in Shanghai. Hopefully the doctor you mentioned still takes patients.
Good luck with your little one's recovery. It must have been some experience for you!

Willbebetter - June 25, 2005 - 10:32 AM
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finlayson wrote:

I just went to Global HealthCare to see the doctor because i cannot get appoinment from World-Link. GHC is at 3rd floor of Kerry Center. Dr. Goulston from N.Y is quite good. You can try!

retroz - Dec 28, 2005 - 05:44 PM
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Willbebetter wrote:

finlayson wrote:

I just went to Global HealthCare to see the doctor because i cannot get appoinment from World-Link. GHC is at 3rd floor of Kerry Center. Dr. Goulston from N.Y is quite good. You can try!

I went to book for a consultation for a Fudan Professor Skin Specialist at Fudan Vision Medical Centre. apparently they can help you to book the doctors and see the specialists in their comfortable and clean clinic in Central Huai hai road. Am really glad that the nurses were all bilingual and they also have Singaporean doctors too. check http://www.fudanvision.com

[MODERATOR'S NOTE- FUDAN VISION APPARENTLY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN 2006]

askWorldLink - Dec 28, 2005 - 06:28 PM
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Willbebetter,
We're sorry you couldn't get in to see the doctor. Dr. Jenkins has a policy of seeing every patient who calls for him, and an appointment should have been scheduled for you.

If for some reason this happens again, try calling directly to the Pediatric Center at 6385 9889 extension 633. His assistant Rachel will see that you get in to see him.

JustCindy - Nov 20, 2006 - 07:35 PM
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Can i call any doctor home for treatment??
How can I do?

joyceko0922 - Mar 28, 2007 - 03:45 PM
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Hi there,

I'm so sorry to hear that you got upset by that hospital, i'm an insurance broker in Shanghai, so i have some hospital lists for everyone, especially for foreigners, better service, better hospitals:)

AIU Direct Billing Provider Network List in Shanghai (as of Dec, 2006)

World Link International Medical Centers
上海瑞新医疗中心

WorldLink Specialty & Inpatient Center
(Shanghai Xin Rui Healthcare Co. Ltd）
Address: 3rd floor, 170 Danshui Road, Shanghai, 200020
上海市淡水路170号3楼
Tel: +8621 6445 5999
Fax: +8621 6385 9890
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

WorldLink Hong Qiao Villa Medical Centre
(Shanghai Rui Xiang Clinic Co. Ltd.）
Address: 2258 Hong Qiao Lu, Hong Qiao, Shanghai, 201103
上海市虹桥路2258号
Tel: +8621 6445 5999
Fax: +8621 6242 8678
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

Shanghai Center Medical and Dental Center
(Shanghai Rui Xin Healthcare Co. Ltd.）
Address: 203-4 West Retail Plaza, 1376 Nanjing Xi Road, Shanghai, 200040
上海市南京西路1376号上海商城西峰203-4室
Medical Tel: +8621 6445 5999
Medical Fax: +8621 6279 7698
Dental Tel: +8621 6279 8318
Dental Fax: +8621 6279 8343
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

Jin Qiao Medical and Dental Center
(Shanghai Rui Pu Clinic Co. Ltd.）
Address: 51 Hong Feng Road, Jin Qiao, PuDong, Shanghai, 201206
上海市浦东金桥红枫路51号
Tel: +8621 5032 8288
Fax: +8621 5032 5825
Website: www.worldlink-shanghai.com
Email: services@worldlink-shanghai.com

Shanghai East International Medical Center
东方联合医院
Address: No.551 South Pudong Road, Shanghai, 200120
上海市浦东南路551号
Phone: +86 21 5879 9999
Fax: +86 21 6887 1089
Website: www.seimc.com.cn
Email : care@seimc.com.cn

Global Healthcare Clinic
全康医疗
Address: Rm 301, Shanghai Kerry Centre, No.1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200040
上海市南京西路1515号上海嘉里中心301室
Phone: +86 21 5298 6339
Fax: +86 21 5298 6993
Website: www.ghcchina.com
Email: info@ghcchina.com

SinoUnited Health Clinic
Address: Rom 601, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai, 200041
上海市南京西路1376号上海商城601室
Phone: +86 21 6279 8920
Fax: +86 21 6279 8921
Website: www.sinounitedhealth.com
Email: tkeaney@sinounitedhealth.com

Sunshine Children’s Hospital
圣安儿童医疗中心
Address: 85 Yi Li Road (S), Ming Hang District, Shanghai, 201103
上海市闵行区伊犁南路85号
Phone: +86 21 5477 6480
Fax: +86 21 5477 6487
Website: www.sccsa.com.cn

CIDI Dental Clinic
西典齿科
Address: Rm 706-708, 7th Floor, No. 495 Jiangning Road, Shanghai, 200041
上海市江宁路495号706-708室
Phone: +86 21 5115 4575
Fax: +86 21 5115 4553
Website: www.cididental.com
Email: dentist@cididental.com

DUZ Dental
得之口腔诊所
Address: 28D East Tower, XinAn Building, No.200 ZhenNing Road, Shanghai, 200040
上海市镇宁路200号欣安大厦东峰28D
Phone: +86 21 6247 3247
Fax: +86 21 6247 3246
Website: www.duz-dental.com

United Family
上海和睦家医院
Hospital
Address: No.1139 Xianxia Road, Shanghai, 200336
上海市长宁区仙霞路1139号
Phone: +86 21 5133 1901
Fax: +86 21 5133 1919
Website: www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
Email: shumarketing@ufh.com.cn

Clinic
Address: Ground Floor,Clubhouse, Shanghai Racquet Club,
Lane 555, Jinfeng Lu, Huacao Town, Shanghai
上海市闵行区华漕镇金丰路555弄上海网球俱乐部底楼
Phone: +86 21 2201 0995
Website: www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
Email: srcclinic@ufh.com.cn

Shanghai Chenxin Hospital
上海辰新医院
Address: Level 9, 937 Yan An Xi Road, Shanghai, 200050
上海市延安西路937号9楼
Phone: +86 21 6225 3456
Fax: +86 21 6211 4451
Website: www.chenxin.com.cn
Email: service@chenxin.com.cn

Shanghai Guangci Memorial Hospital
上海广慈纪念医院
Address: 197, Ruijin er Road, Shanghai, 200025
上海市瑞金二路197号
Phone: +86 21 6437 8700
Fax: +86 21 6431 2610
Email: guangci@rjh.com.cn

Arrail Dental
瑞尔齿科
Lippo Plaza Clinc
Add: Unit 204, Lippo Plaza, 222 HuaiHai Zhong Road, Shanghai 200021
上海市淮海中路222号力宝广场204室
Tel: 021-53966539
Fax: 021-53965971
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ash@arrail-dental.com

Times Square Clinc
Add: Unit 417, Huarun Times Square, 500 Zhang yang Road, Shanghai 200122
上海市浦东新区张杨路500号华润时代广场417室
Tel: 021-58368100
Fax: 021-58368690
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ashts@arrail-dental.com

Super Brand Mall Clinic
Add: B1, Super Brand Mall, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai 200122
上海市浦东陆家嘴西路正大广场地下1楼
Tel: 021-50476878
Fax: 021-50476877
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ashbr@arrail-dental.com

Nanjing Road Clinic
Add: 3F Ciro’s Plaza, 388 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200003
上海市南京西路388号仙乐斯广场3楼
Tel: 021-63599359
Fax:021-63595359
Website: www.arrail-dental.com
E-mail: ashcl@arrail-dental.com

Hope this information is kinda helpful for who needs.

YorkshireKing - May 06, 2007 - 11:08 PM
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finlayson wrote:

Finlay try Shanghai East International Medical Centre, http://www.seimc.com.cn/

Inside a big chinese hospital in pudong but have western doctors and a surgical team, sorted my neck out after a horror show at the "Western clinic" at ruijin teaching hospital, presuming you have private health care they will be for you.

wantong - Aug 17, 2007 - 12:42 PM
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Anyone has any comments / feedback on Guo Bin hospital in Jing'An district?

yu888 - Aug 17, 2007 - 03:11 PM
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GuoBin Hospital, located just north of Beijing West Rd on XiKang Rd. it is a private clinic that does health examinations and outpatiet procedures. Clean place though some of their Doctors still stand in the back stairwell and smoke like a factory smokestack. Decent place, decent service. Went there for about a dozen appts. Would go again if for health cheecks, check ups stuff like that.

CAMIVILL - Dec 12, 2007 - 08:06 PM
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The Medical personal its having a big failure not only here but around the world... there's a basic idea.. the doctor must have a diagnosis with interogation and physical examination, HEAR THAT???!?! the exams are used to CONFIRM the first impression not to make diagnosis.... IF ur doctor doesnt touch u ... simply dont trust him....
chinese medicine its the same... they (we) have to look!!!
Now chinese culture have a problem... u cant touch people, not family or friends... so when this medical students go to the hospital to learn... they cant do it... they cant practice.. so the result its a person who listen to a story and prescribes...
I have many stories to tell, even mine with apendicitis... ufff
When u go to the physician if u cant speak chinese, bring someone to do the translation , dont ask many questions, but push them to do what you need if you know.... exams, medication, so on...
If you have the chance to pay to get a foreign doctor, then ask all the questions, and just enjoy the ride...
If you go to the foreign-expensive hospitals that charge a lot but its a chinese doctor, well u can ask all the questions u want but make sure the chinese its qualified and that he or she examines you.. as i told u before its a good sign, the ones that seldom look at you... just run!!!!

sharrowdale - Mar 02, 2008 - 07:50 PM
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There is this new GP family medical centre, from Singapore, which has been operating for the last year in Gubei, Changning.

Think it's called the Healthway Family Medical Centre, not far from carrefour Gubei, at 388 Hong Bao Shi Road (红宝石路388号,一楼, 古北，长宁区), 1st floor, Gubei, Changning District. China branch of the established Healthway Medical Group in Singapore.

Good personal and caring service, nice environment and friendly doctors, Australian-trained, Singapore-trained english-speaking drs from Singapore or mandarin speaking GPs also available.

Price very reasonable, they even have this new attractive offer package called the "Healthway Member Card", which offers 10 consultations for a year for only 1500rmb, which is even transferrable between 4 persons. (essentially means that it is only 150rmb per consultation). They have a range of insurance cards which they accept too.

Another healthcare option available in Shanghai. Think their contact numbers are (51551858 ext 8117 / 13761812971 ), if anyone needs.

dannydxc - Oct 16, 2008 - 01:58 PM
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What is the difference between a private clinic (like GuoBin Hospital) and the others? My insurance will only cover "registered" hospitals...so does a place like GuoBin qualify? Thanks.

canuckian - Oct 16, 2008 - 03:15 PM
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^ Your insurance company should have a handout list of all the participating (registered) hospitals. If they don't, call your insurance office for verification.

dannydxc - Oct 17, 2008 - 10:42 AM
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My insurance is from HK so they just said go to a registered hospital. They dont have a list. Please help

martinear - Oct 21, 2008 - 06:01 PM
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Wow, a good share in this post. All I do when go to the hospital is wishing to come up with a doctor with enough pationce, I can easily get scared of them.

Sherali - Nov 20, 2008 - 11:12 PM
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did somebody ever had problem of hairloss? I am kinda pissed off, I've been in several hosppitals here in shanghai, and it seems useless.. the total time they need to have a diagnosis is just minute or some... you can feel that it's bullsh*t, cuz none of the medicine they told to use helps.... Does anybody know a good place to go with this kind of problem??

GiveEmOpium - Nov 20, 2008 - 11:21 PM
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I just came back from the "6th peoples hospital" on yishanlu

If you live in Xujiahui & you value your time, I can only recommend this to you. Its a university (jiaotong) hospital, tripleA status (among the best in china), they are specialists for broken bones.

very efficient processing.
From the moment I went in to the moment I went out... 40 min
(including 1st time registration, finding my rooms&docs, X-ray, diagnosis, paying (70yuan alltogether guys,,.. seventy yuan).

great place.. and none of this bullfeces tests they do at the expat hospitals to make money off your ensurance and waste your time.

blondesands - Nov 21, 2008 - 10:59 AM
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The 6th hospital has a good reputation. During the Sichuan earthquake recovery, several of the top doctors from there flew to the disaster area to help out. Although the English communication is limited (the signage is in English), you could still get around, using body language and possibly getting someone to go with you if you're nervous. It is a very busy hospital, but the prices are MUCH cheaper than the expat hospitals.

Zeliboba - Feb 20, 2009 - 04:04 PM
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Quote:

Make hair transplantation surgery. In Renai they do that.

Parkwaycommunity - May 20, 2009 - 03:27 PM
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Sign up our Local Hospital Tour!
Our local hospital tour will take you to two reputable hospitals in Pudong, one for adult and one for children. We will guide you through the various departments of hospital, and explain the procedures of seeing a docotor and getting emergency medical care.
The tour will be conducted by Lin Chen Pharm. D.
Date: Tuesday June 2nd, 2009 9;30-12:00
Meet Place: Parkway Community Pharmacy
333 BiYun Road 9-B101A (Green Garden Compound)
JinQiao, Pudong, Shanghai, 201206
www.parkwaycommunitypharmacy.com
Charge: 300 RMB
RSVP: 021-3382-1382

chrisaus - July 05, 2009 - 07:19 AM
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Parkwaycommunity wrote:

"Charge: 300RMB": I wonder how many people attended this guided tour. I can't believe they charge people a fee while the tour is purly for their own business purpose. It is just like charging people for watching their ads. It's ridiculous and unbelievably greedy.

My suggestion is that these hospitals should have open day regularly and provide free BBQ or hand out free whatever tickets in order to attract more customers / patients. They should thank people for visiting their hospitals rather than charging people money.

chrisaus - July 05, 2009 - 07:45 AM
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"Make hair transplantation surgery. In Renai they do that."

There are many different type of hair loss, e.g., androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata / alopecia totalis etc.

The long term outcome of hair transplant for androgenic alopecia is not as good as you expected. The new hair often disappears (just like the original hair). It's better off to try Minoxidil lotion or gel. But the problem is that you have to use it for at least 12 months and if you stop the medication, hair loss will recur. So it's a lifetime expensive treatment.

For alopecia areata, it may recover by itself. There are many different treatment options, including Minoxidil lotion, cortisone, or immunotherapy.

But any way, you need to see a doctor specialising in hair loss.

chrisaus - July 05, 2009 - 09:45 AM
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Camivill: "If you go to the foreign-expensive hospitals that charge a lot but its a chinese doctor, well u can ask all the questions u want but make sure the chinese its qualified and that he or she examines you.. as i told u before its a good sign, the ones that seldom look at you... just run!!!!"

Well said. I don't think there are any real general practitioners in China (except some from overseas)

There are several "foreign-expensive hospitals" in Shanghai. There are two major issues with these hospitals:

(1) Management of the hospitals:
These hospitals are usually sino-foreign join ventures and managed by chinese teams who may not familiar with the healthcare system in western countries. For example, most of these hospitals are actively seeking new doctors to work there recently. I sent emails to some of them recently in order to get more information (including salary package) but they never replied. So I decided to ring them (from Australia). What I found out is that they expect you to apply for the job without knowing all the details. This is why they never tell you their direct phone numbers in their ads.

Another example is charging people who attend the open day of these hospitals (see my post above). A local hospital I work at in Australia has open day regularly. The hospital provides visitors free coffee, soft drinks and biscuit / cakes and never charges any fees.

(2) The quality of medical staff: I've browsed through the websites of these hospitals and noted that the experience and qualifications among their doctors vary enormously. For example, most chinese "general practitoners" who work at these "foreign-expensive hospitals" never worked / practiced in a western country and their experience, knowledge, skills and competency are obviously questionable. You may find following links useful for your own research:

http://www.ghcchina.com/doctors.aspx?did=18

http://www.kcimc.com/team.asp

http://www.globaldoctor.com.au/Staff.aspx?CurID=Staff&PurID=Services

(very interesting about Dr. Jesus Narvaez, who "graduated from Orient Medical University". His education and qualifications looked a bit confusing. I googled "Orient Medical University" and found no results.)

http://www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com/list03.asp

http://www.seimc.com.cn/medical/general.htm

Here are two posts on this forum:
(1) Edbreejen (under the thread “Huashan Hospital Foreign Clinic – Stay away”):

“It's not only Huashan's foreigner clinic that's a scam, in general all 'special foreigner clinics' of regular hospitals are. They offer consults from a limited number of doctors of their complete staff. These are not necessary the best doctors, but probably the only ones that can speak more than 100 words of English. The only benefits are a shorter queue and a cleaner toilet. For this special service, you pay about 10x the going local rate.”

(2) MVAgusta (under the thread “World Link change to Parkway health”):

“My son cut his finger recently…but Parkway or formerly WorldLink refused to look at his wound until I had to raise a stink and they still told us to go somewhere else because "the doctor was busy" and he is not trained to stitch people up (what!?!, isn't that what they do, we are not talking about major surgery here)."

Yes, a competent general practitioner should be able to manage this kind of minor injuries.

FTM - Aug 26, 2009 - 11:58 PM
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Quote:

(very interesting about Dr. Jesus Narvaez, who "graduated from Orient Medical University". His education and qualifications looked a bit confusing. I googled "Orient Medical University" and found no results.)

It could probably be because the university's name has been translated from Spanish (Escuela de Medicina Universidad de Oriente). All the links leading to the school seem to be blocked, though.

Dahvida - Aug 27, 2009 - 10:22 PM
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Where can I buy a Hampster in Shanghai? Any help will be gratefully received. My daughter is driving me nuts

bbc74 - Aug 28, 2009 - 12:55 PM
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Wow are they using hamsters in Chinese hospitals now? Dahvid i think your question should go in the question and answer section.

globalnomad - Aug 28, 2009 - 05:41 PM
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I had to quote this again, as this is too stupidly ridiculously hilarious, that Parkway is charging for a tour! Way to build a loyal customer base Parkway.

chrisaus wrote:

Parkwaycommunity wrote:

hangbang - Oct 23, 2009 - 10:05 AM
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There is good clinic for pains related to spine. Korean doctor， a lot of experience , clean. He is really good at American-style of Chiropractic as well as Acupuncture and herbal treatment. They have interpreters
it's called public aviation hospital, not far from carrefour Gubei, at 388 Hong Bao Shi Road third floor, Gubei, Changning District. (红宝石路388号,三楼, 古北，长宁区) Tel: 021)6209-2676

pearlmilktea - Nov 01, 2009 - 07:45 PM
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Hi all, just thought I'd share my experience at Renji Hospital East (Pudong). 上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院.
I had conjunctivitis over the weekend and didn't really want to wait to see an eye doctor on Monday, so I went to the emergency ward of Renji in Pudong near Pujian road.

* Check in: Walked in and went to the window on left of the entrance, stood in back of a huddle of pushy people, and had to elbow my way to the window to keep others from jumping the queue. I told the attendants my problem and they gave me a member book and card. Then I had to go to the window directly opposite that window, did the elbow shuffle again, and paid my 15 RMB registration fee. The woman instructed me to go upstairs. All of this communication was in rudimentary Chinese. I don't think they spoke much English.

* At the "yan ke" optometry department there was a single doctor (no nurses or other staff) who was basically twiddling his thumbs waiting for patients. He looked at my eyes for just a couple of mins, diagnosed conjunctivitis quickly, and prescribed some 'yan shui' eye drops. Fast and easy. Nice guy too. Spoke both English and was patient with my basic Chinese.

* Back downstairs to pay the bill at the 2nd window (did more elbowing and even threw in a shoulder to block a pushy middle aged woman). Paid another 50 RMB or so and was sent to the pharmacy down the hall to pick up my eye drops.

* This is where it was scary. To get to the pharmacy I had to pass down a narrow corridor filled with sick patients, most of whom were on hospital beds. I passed by more than 30 patients who looked like they were just dumped in the hallway because there was nowhere else to put them. I got to the little window and got my meds. The pharmacist spoke a little English and told me how often to take the drops, but she wasn't at all patient or willing to clarify. I was elbowed out of line and went on out of the hospital, passing by the gauntlet of sick patients... trying not to look.

* Summary: The hospital was clean (although old and worn out a bit); the doctor was fast and courteous; and the registration process was easy, but fighting other patients to get to the window made it a bit exhausting. Although if you're not able to get used to doing that in China you'll never make it. Only the pushy survive. I didn't like all the sick patients dumped into the hall that led to the pharmacy...was there no where else to put them? But I got what I needed for a decent price, and I'm glad I went.

Don't hesitate if you need cheap medical attention in Pudong and can speak some Chinese or can go with someone who can. This hospital experience ranked well below what I've experienced in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taipei, but its better than paying exorbitant fees at some 'Western' clinic like Parkway or Shanghai East Int'l.

Shady_Slim - Nov 01, 2009 - 10:14 PM
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Used the rip off services of Worldlink in 2004, never been back since then, been hearing a lot of good things about the Renai Hospital near Ikea in Xuhui from a lot of friends recently, good doctors and resonable priced too.

adamronchi - Nov 05, 2009 - 03:21 PM
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Hi !!! there u guys... I am a new member of this forum. myself adam ronchi from newyork,USA. i am in shanghai for a business trip for a week or so.. if u get out side of your country, u should have a knowledge about the place u will visit, health is a important issue in travelling abroad. u have to deal with local language as well..
i read this forum topic for personal information, and surprisingly i can find lots of helpful information here, as far as i know this place, i really love this place.....it has a potencial to became biggest city of whole world...

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