I’ve been in Tokyo for almost three years and only been to clinics twice, last year and this year (today to be exact) and every time I’ve been I felt as if I was in a factory, spending more time filling endless questionnaires than genuinely being heard by a doctor.
Last year for example I went to a « nose and throat » clinic because I had a bad sore throat (probably connected to a bad cold but I wasn’t sure) but after being looked at for a minute or so the doctor thought it might have been a pine pollen allergy or maybe a cold but he wasn’t sure, told me I should get tested for the allergy. 30 minutes of wait for a 2 minutes consultation followed by uncertain diagnostic and yet a whole list of very mild medicines which didn’t make a big difference after a week.
Today at this other clinic after a quick lookup the doctor said I had a heart beating fast maybe because I hadn’t drank enough water (maybe the fact that I was coughing a lot and my bronchitis was hurting could also have been a factor? maybe?) again today I got prescribed pretty useless medicines which I don’t plan on taking because I have felt so unheard and so looked over that I don’t think they’re really going to make a big difference.
Yes I’m at this level of disbelief and discontent.
From today I’ve decided I won’t be going to regular clinics anymore but probably to hospitals or international clinics. This is one of the few things I dearly miss from France, « médecins généralistes » a « general doctor » who genuinely tries to figure out what it is you have by testing you sending you to see specialists and who can somehow get pretty good prescriptions according to your case. In Japan I’ve yet to see this. Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s been disappointed and also if, by any chance there are any ways to get thorough and serious medical consultation in Japan, Tokyo.
by Honey-Pie_64