HEALTH - Living Abroad in South Korea - page 125

find their way into some hanyak -inspired potions, but this is increasingly rare and
frowned on by any serious traditional medicine professional.
Hanyak treatments can't substitute for the modern variety on every occasion, but
interest in them has grown globally as they have been demonstrated to be very ef-
fective for some ailments, especially common ones such as colds and fatigue, and
chronic conditions including allergies and muscle pain. If you are interested in trying
out hanyak, visit a haniwon, or Asian medicine clinic, which are nearly as numerous
as the standard variety and are also covered by medical insurance. Several compre-
hensive Asian medicine hospitals with English-speaking staff have also opened, in-
cluding the sprawling Jaseng Hospital in Seoul's posh Gangnam district.
Hospitals and Clinics
Every sizable town in South Korea has at least a clinic, and a major hospital is never too far
away—indeed, most large cities have dozens. Standard clinics can diagnose and dispense
medication for everyday gripes such as colds, flu, or headaches, but for more serious health
issues they will refer the patient to the nearest hospital. There's also no shortage of special-
ist clinics covering areas like dentistry, optometry, and children's medicine.
Hospitals offer emergency care and a wide range of medical services. The vast majority
of hospitals are private institutions, often affiliated with universities, companies, or reli-
gious groups, but the government insurance system and abundance of competition tend to
keep fees fairly low by international standards. Those insured under the system are free to
choose any medical provider they like, so most residents end up frequenting the hospital
closest to home. Standards are generally excellent, and most hospitals have top-of-the-line
equipment and highly trained staff. While the language barrier can be an issue, especially
when it comes to speaking to nurses or administrative staff, most doctors speak at least
some English.
Most of the problems expatriates are likely to run into at local hospitals will have less to
do with standards of treatment than culture. Doctors are highly respected in South Korea's
heavily Confucian-influenced society and thus not accustomed to being questioned or enga-
ging in long exchanges with patients; basically they make a diagnosis, prescribe a cocktail
of medications, and that's it. There's also a clear tendency to overmedicate, at least by U.S.
standards—even a quick visit to the clinic because of a cough or a runny nose is likely to