Download bi-lingual medical forms HERE
The JET Diary also is a good resource for medical-related terms, so keep it handy if you visit the doctor.
JAPANESE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Appointments
Most doctors see their patients on a walk-in basis. Expect some waiting, as it is usual practice here for people to go to the hospital, or clinic, for a common cold or cough (remember that you can't use sick leave unless you go to the doctor...) If you are very unwell, let someone at the check-in counter know so that you can skip past all the hypochondriacs.
Diagnosis
The doctor probably won't tell you what is wrong, but will prescribe a "pharmacopoeia" of drugs. Use your judgment, and ask a lot of questions. Ask what the drugs are, whether the're necessary, and how to take them. Also ask about side effects and whether you can drink alcohol while taking them. If you are in real pain, be pushy and ask for a prescription of pain relief medicine. Paid meds are reluctantly prescribed, so you'll usually need to ask for them.
Rather than prescribing enough medication to last you until you're well, the doctor will usually give you a few days worth, and expect to see you again when the medication runs out.
Privacy...or lack therefore
The doctor may examine you in front of other patients, and will often talk about your medical problems with the nurses openly in front of other patients. It isn't uncommon for a doctor or dentist to be treating several patients simultaneously; e.g. drilling one patient while the anesthetic is taking effect on another. If you live in a rural area, don't be surprised if many people around town know about your doctor's visit, and what your ailment is.
Hospitals
If you are hospitalized while in Japan, your experience will probably not be very different from staying in a hospital in your home country. However if you are staying at a smaller clinic, that has inpatient facilities, you may find the experience very different. The medical staff often oversees many more patients than we may be used to, and care-giving for other affairs than medical are considered the responsibility of family. Bathing or showering is usually infrequent during an illness. If you are in a hospital for a while, it is best to try to build a good relationship with the nurses and doctors. You will find that it makes a big difference on your overall experience.
Health Insurance
Our national health insurance policy provides extensive coverage for medical care costs. The insured person pays a fraction of the medical care cost. Please refer to the JET General Information Handbook for more detailed information. In some cases, our medical insurance requires that paperwork go through our offices at school or elsewhere for processing, so several people may see your bills and/or doctor's comments. If you want to maintain absolute privacy then it may be best to seek out a western educated doctor who isn't on the national insurance plan, but this will mean much higher costs.
Language Barrier
Most larger hospitals are likely to have at least a few staff that can communicate in English to a certain extent. However, doctors usually work in rotational shifts, so just because you had a certain English-speaking doctor one time does not guarantee you will be able to see them again.
The Niigata PAs also maintain a list of English-speaking physicians in Niigata prefecture. As could be expected, the majority of these are located within the main urban areas (Niigata, Nagaoka, Joetsu) with a few exceptions. In general, smaller clinics offer less waiting time and more personal care, so if you have the ability to go to an English-speaking clinic: it is probably your best bet.