Going to the Doctor in Japan

Everyone in Japan is sick right now.

At least, that's how it feels.

All of the people on my island at work are sniffing, coughing, or snorting.

I took my first sick day because I had been snotty and gunked up for the last week, and then couldn't sleep, so essentially I didn't want to drag myself all the way into Kobe just after 7am for my BOE job. It's a long day and I wasn't feeling up to it.

So, in Aussie style, to make it seem legit, I ventured to the doctor. I mean, it wasn't un-legit. I was sick. Just probably not sick enough to have to miss work. Mostly just icky.

The doctor was close by, only a 5 minute walk from my house.

Upon entering the doctor, you take off your shoes and put on the slippers provided.

As a first time patient, I had to fill out a form. There was no English on this form so if you don't read Japanese well, this might be pretty tricky for you. Maybe make sure your google translate is downloaded.

After filling out my personal details and what was wrong with me today, I was asked to sit down in the waiting room. Nurses cam in and out, dressed in the cutest little Nurse-Jenny outfits. The picture to the right is the best sneaky pic I could get while sitting in the waiting room. I deeply apologize... But as you can vaguely see, the nurses are wearing blue pinafore dresses, with blue nurse hats, and even cute little blue shoes. Adorable.

After waiting for a while, a doctor came, called my name and took me to a private, curtained stall. She asked me what the matter was, and I told her my symptoms.

When asked if I had a fever, I said that I did have one the other day, but not any more. She asked me what temperature my fever was. Of course, I didn't know... Myabe this is an Aussie thing, but I can tell when myself or another person has a fever without having to consult a thermometer.... I don't even own a thermometer in Japan. So I told the doctor that I didn't know the temperature, but just that I had felt hot sweaty and uncomfortable (you know that raw, dry, hot feeling you get in your eyes when you have a fever). She responded with "So... Over 38 degrees?" Um... again, doctor, I'm not sure...  All I know is that I was feverish.

After this, she asked me if I was worried that it was influenza. I told her I wasn't sure, but that it was probably just a cold. She said that she could test me for influenza if I wanted, but it would cost more on top of the appointment. I declined. Apparently in Japan they can tell if you test positive for type A or type B influenza. I had no idea testing for influenza wasa thing. I've never been tested for influenza before... Usually doctors in Australia (at least doctors I'VE been to in Australia) listen to your symptoms, take your temperature, and then they say "could be flu!" and give you some antibiotics... Is testing for the flu even a thing in Australia? Or is it just becuase I'm going to the budget doctors that they're not testing me for things...

After getting some advice from the doctor on non-caffeine cold medicines (these are hard to find in Japan so if you are caffeine sensitive, BE AWARE!) I went to the admin desk to finish up and pay. I stood at the desk for a little bit, and when a reception lady came up to me, I asked if I could pay. I was then told to sit back down an wait...

Perhaps this is so they can check with the doctor if I had any extra costs... It was just a little bit different from Australia, where you usually pay straight away and walk out. I waited for about 10 minutes, getting mildly annoyed at why it was taking so long for them to organise the simplest consultation bill. Eventually, a recpetion lady approached me and handed me the bill. It came to 2800 (just over $30) which is pretty good for a doctor's bill, I think. I think it's roughly what I would have paid out of pocket in Aus if I had went to a doctor that didn't bulk-bill.

They only take cash, so I paid my bill in cash and left. Having travell insurance for the year, the doctors could not do anything with my insurance. They said I needed to claim directly from them. However, my insurance has an excess of $200 so you can't claim a $30 doctors bill. So I guess the insurance is really only for emergencies.

Ah well.