Health Care
In this article:
Taking care of your health is a primary concern, but working your way through an unfamiliar system is hard when you speak the language, daunting to near impossible when you don’t. Here are some details about keeping your sanity while taking care of your health.
Medical Service in English
Getting medical services in your language is not always easy. The City of Daejeon has created a booklet called Living in Daejeon, available at City Hall and a few other outlets around the city. Medical information is also available at their website.
Some of the practitioners have moved to other locations so it is probably wise to have someone call ahead on your behalf if possible.
[Contributed by Stephshimko]
I am a huge fan of Dr. Marshall Yoon. His phone number is (042)477-3399. His clinic is open Saturday-Thursday, closed Fridays from 1p.m-10p.m. He was raised half in the states and half in Korea, and his English is perfect. Not only that, he is a GOOD doctor as well. I’ve had a variety of services provided by him, and all of them have been perfect. I even sent a friend with a complicated medical condition to him, and although he was unable to treat her himself, he was able to recommend and get her the right help. Call the clinic number from a cab for directions. There is a Cin-cin and some junk stores on the first floor. His clinic is on the third.
[Contributed by RicksInKorea]
One of the easiest places I’ve found for “one-stop” medical care is Eulji University Hospital in Dunsan-dong. While the costs are slightly more since it’s a major hospital (meaning a visit to a general practitioner will cost 16,400KW and a specialist 22,800KW) the ease and convenience are, in my opinion, well worth it to those who are new to town. To get to Eulji, just take the subway to the City Hall station, exit 3. Walk straight ahead past City Hall to the end of the double-block (this is actually the 2nd red light– there is a JB Bank on the corner). Turn right and walk approximately 3 blocks. Eulji will be on your left– it’s huge, so there’s no way to miss it. When you go in the main entrance, immediately to your left is an information desk. Just go there and “look foreign”. There is a full-time English speaking nurse who will walk you through everything you need. They have full medical services including an ER (no English translation on the weekends) and dentists.
Women’s Health
Seoul Women’s Clinic in Dunsan-dong. 대전광역시 서구 둔산동 1367 자연세상 빌딩. 042-488-8275. Doctors Park and Jeong (female and male) speak English well and offer full and discrete service to their clients.
Byun Tae-Seop in O-Jeong-dong at Sung Mo Cha-ae comes recommended by a woman who has had two children delivered by him and who has taken friends to him.
Confidentiality
[contributed by shoeless]
The answer is yes, in theory. The Korean Medical Association holds the same standard of patient confidentiality as most “westerners” experience in their home country.
However, in practice, this might not be observed by all practitioners. Not maliciously or disrespectfully, but through a cultural bias in Korea of trying to take care of foreigners who have language difficulties and also in part due to Confucianist approaches to community, family and brotherhood. They might share your information with someone if they believe you will benefit in your care or decision making, if that person knows. Your employer might push the doctor for information on your situation and somewhat innocently and unwittingly the doctor may informally discuss it.
If you do not want this to happen, the best practice is to insure that you are examined independently and that you specify to the doctor that he/she should not discuss your situation with anyone else. Medical ethics is a course in every medical school in Korea, they will get the point right away.
Should you discover or suspect that there has been a breach of confidentiality and you would like to follow up on it – it is recommended that you contact the Korean Medical Association and lodge a complaint. It would take one such complaint to alert the medical grapevine to be observant of confidentiality particularly in regards to foreigners.
Dental Care
- Recommended is Berkely Dentistry near the Home Plus behind City Hall. It’s across the street to the south from Home Plus. The dentist there was trained in the US and will give you an “American-style cleaning” along with other dental work without all the American-style prices. (042)485-2875
- Dr. Gloria Cho (042)1151 is in Wolpyeong Dong (near Stargate)
- MeSo Clinic (042)485-0030 in Dunsandong, on the ninth floor, opposite Galleria
- Dr. Lee (042)471-2827 in Wolpyeong dong, across from Emart (the former Walmart) on the 7th floor of the Moon-Nyung building
- Park Seong-ho’s Dentistry (042)861-1732. Between Expo Park and the old Lotte Hotel (Currently Mokwon Arts & Culture Center)
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Does anybody know of an English speaking Chiropractioner?
Thanks
If anyone is looking for a really good oriental medicine doctor that speaks English, there is a very good clinic called Sang Do Oriental Medical Clinic. The clinic is between Timeworld Galleria and City Hall in the City Clinic building on the 3rd floor (beside Mr. Wang’s Chinese restaurant). She is open every day except Friday, including Sunday from 2pm to 6pm.
Does anyone know the location of a larger clinic? I went to Dr. Marshall Yoon’s on Saturday and he said that he couldn’t prescribe me the drug that I needed (I take Wellbutrin, a mild anti-depressant) but gave me a note to take to a larger clinic where I could. I don’t know where to find a larger clinic. I live in Songgang Dong, but could travel down to Dunsan or where ever. Please help!
Ben
You’re probably going to need to go to a 병원 to get the service you require.
Where exactly is Dr. Marshall Yoon’s clinic?
The teachers that we replaced recommended a good Oriental Medicine Clinic which specializes in Oriental Medicine and chiropractic services. I think they do acupuncture if needed as well. (042)477-7191/7383
2F, Hong-in Building, Jijok-dong, 907-1, Yuseoung-gu.
This is way out there, but maybe someone has an idea. Iv’e just started chemo and have been told that there are places that will make a wig from your own hair. I don’t have any idea how to find one (I’ve never even gone to a hair salon and speak no Korean), and would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks!
My Korean is good enough to make a search but you’ll have to have someone better than me interpret the results. Some of these pages may have English versions; you’ll have to check.
http://www.medi-119.com/search.php?query=%B8%C2%C3%E3+%B0%A1%B9%DF
Good luck and speedy healing! My aunt got a wig (back in Canada) after her chemo but found it was too hot and in the end just went without! Hope you find a solution that works for you. The center where you’re receiving treatment may also be able to give you some advice as to where to look for these services.
Patty, I went shopping at the Jungangno stop on the subway. Several of the vendors had all kinds of wigs. I know you said that you wanted it made from your own hair, but in case you cannot find a place to do that you can try the vendors.
I guess this falls under health care, but if anyone is interested, I found an amazing Thai massage parlor in Yuseong dong. You take the subway and get off at the Yuseong Spa stop. Follow the exit signs to Yuseong Spa. There’s one right outside the station above the Pizza Hut, but I went to the one across the street. I might check out the one by the station next time. But the one across the street is at the traffic light on the third floor above a Vietnamese restaurant. I got an hour and a half massage for 70,000 won. They also gave a mini facial.
Dr. Gloria Cho’s clinic is called “Joy Dental Clinic.” It is located in the 9th building (going west–away from the airport bus stop) on the north side of the block across from Stargate (right before all the apartments begin). It is on the 3rd floor with “Joy Dental Clinic, University of Queensland, University of Heidelberg” stencilled in large letters on the glass door. Hours are 9:30-5:30 and 9:30-4 on Sat.
Dr. Cho happened to be in the states today when I went, but the young dentist I saw in her place was quite competent and very reasonable. The “scaling” service was also top notch but a bit scary.
I have referred many people to Eulji University Hospital in Dunsan-dong. Although their cost is higher (like you said), I personally believe the quality care they provide is worth it.
Hello there
I would like any advise on a good English-speaking OB/GYN and any other useful information you may know re:pregnancy,birth etc.
Many thanks.
There are a couple links on our Health page, and I know people who have done well at Seoul Women’s Clinic in Dunsan (Near TGIFridays/Indy/Emart) and also Eulji Hospital. At most smaller hospitals only the docs speak any English, but at Eulji they have some nurses who translate. The larger hospitals, however, are going to cost you more.
A good, English speaking Dentist is available in Lotte Dept. Store, next to TGIF. Dental cleaning is only 30,000 . phone 042 535 2875