Medical Services in Japan

• If you are taken ill

Choose a hospital, clinic and dental clinics that can provide suitable treatment, and take your health insurance card and some money with you when you go. It is best if you go with someone who can speak Japanese.

• Consultation hours

Consultation hours for out patients at hospitals and clinics can vary, but most hospitals are open in the morning on weekdays, and closed on Sundays and national holidays. You should phone before you go to find out the consultation hours, holidays and departments in the hospital. If you are suddenly taken ill outside these hours or on a holiday, you should go to the nearest emergency clinic.

With the exception of dentists, you do not usually need to make an appointment. and patients are seen by the doctor on a first-come, first-served basis. You may have to wait a little longer at large hospitals.

• Seeing the doctor

1. Reception: Show your health insurance card at reception, and explain what is wrong with you and which department you want to go to for treatment. You should then go to the appropriate department.
2. Cashier: After you have been examined, go to the cashier to pay the doctor's fee. If you are uninsured, you will have to pay the full cost yourself.
3. Dispensary: Medicines prescribed by a doctor do not usually have directions in foreign languages, so you should have them explained to you when you pick up your medicne.

• Emergencies

If you are suddenly taken ill or are hurt in an accident, dial "119" and say "kyuu kyuu desu",which means 'This is an emergency" in Japanese. Give the operator your address, name, and condition, and then go out onto the street to wait for the ambulance. (The number to call in case of fire is the same: 119.)

日本での診療について

• あなたが病気になったとき

病院、診療所に行くときは、健康保険証とお金を持って、症状に応じた病院に行って下さい。また、受診の際にはできるだけ日本語を話せる方と一緒に行った方がよいでしょう。

• 診療時間

外来患者の診察時間は病院・診療所により異なりますが、通常、平日の午前中が多く、日曜、祝日は休診です。診療科目、休日、診療時間を電話で確認してから行って下さい。なお休日、時間外の急病には近くの休日急病診療所が対応しています。

受診のための時間予約制は、歯科を除いてほとんどなく、当日の受付順になります。大きな病院ではかなり待たされることもあります。

• 受診の手順

1. 受付：病院では、まず受付の係に健康保険証を提出し、どこが悪いか、何科で診療を受けたいのかを伝え、指示に従い診療される診療科に行きます。
2. 会計：診察、治療などが終わったら、会計で診察料を払います。健康保険に加入していない方は、診察料は全て自費払いになります。
3. 薬局：一般に医師が出す薬には外国語の説明がありませんので、もらうときには十分な説明を受けて下さい。

• 救急

急病、事故により傷を負ったときは、119番へ電話をし、日本語で「救急です」と言ってから、住所、氏名、病状等を告げ、道路へ出て待っていて下さい。（119番は火災の通報と同じ番号です。）