CHINESE MEDICINE...or MEDICINE IN CHINA
I had an opportunity to use the Chinese medical system this year. My blood pressure was a little out of whack, so I had a blood pressure check on campus and later had a doctor check me out and change my medication. The university had a health center that I visited. I needed some pills because I was given only a 30 day supply before I left for China. Wu Fanglin took me to the health center, told the cashier what I needed, and I paid a few cents; then she disappeared upstairs and came back with a bottle of pills. Just like that!A week or two later I visited a specialist, and to do so, I had to go to a hospital. Thanks to Ding Yaping, who walked me through the process. Of course, I had heard how awful the Chinese system of socialized medicine is, how the waits are interminable, but my experience was quite different.
The hospital was not, according to Yaping, one of the top level hospitals, and catered to military personnel and the public. We checked at the front desk and found out there was a specialist available on this day. We went to a window, where I paid a small fee, obtained a medical card and went up to see the doctor.
I believe I paid 20 Yuan, or a little less than $4 US dollars. For this price the doctor checked me out and sent me down the hall to get an ECG. When the doctor checked the results, he said everything was fine.
We had arrived at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. and I was back home around 11:00 a.m., walking almost a mile each way.
The doctor decided to give me a blood test, and asked whether I wanted the short version or the complete version. Was there an option? Of course, I said I wanted the complete version, whatever that was.
So the next day, I arrived at the hospital to take a blood test after fasting. I had paid the previous day (30 Y or about $5 US), and around 7:30 AM walked to the hospital, went directly to the window, presented my paperwork and my arm, and was home in time for breakfast, by 8:30.
Now, there are some differences in the process. When I arrive at my doctor's office here in the U.S., a nurse always takes my weight and height and then I am ushered into a room where my blood pressure and temperature is taken. And I wait alone for the doctor.
In China, the doctor sits in an office, and in this case, there were two doctors. Each had a chair. If there is someone already there, we line up behind that person. When someone was behind me, I had the distinct feeling that person was trying to find a way to get in front of me, and tried to interrupt the doctor's examination. Another time, the person who had been in front of me, returned several times to interrupt the doctor's examination. The experience might be described as a public private examination. (The ECG was given in a separate room with a closed door.)
I must assume that my experience is both typical and unusual. I saw a number of people sitting in the lobby waiting. On the other hand, both my doctor consultations (three of them) and my blood draw were done with great efficiency and timeliness. In addition, being able to pick up the medication at the point of examination was not only convenient but efficient as well. I can see how the cost of medicines can be reasonable. So with a couple hundred yuan for a month of pills, my total medical bill came to about $37.00 U.S. This total is the cost without insurance.
Before this experience, I thought I would never trust Chinese medicine, but my concerns were quickly alleviated. The medication I received was different from my prescription, but was a British variation of the same pills I was taking. The examination was thorough, and the doctor had a very clear plan for tracking my readings. Overall, I felt pretty well taken care of. Now, it helped a lot that I had someone who could navigate the system with me. She could translate the doctor's questions and wishes. Thank you, always, Yaping.
ONLY IN CHINA . . .
Would I notice a pregnant woman wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with WASHINGTON STATE across the chest, and below across her bulging belly the words: OUR SPECIALTY.ONLY IN CHINA . . .
Can one find a toilet in the middle of a block.
Can one find a toilet sign under a street sign at an intersection pointing where driver and pedestrian alike can find a toilet.
Can one find an attendant at every toilet (or so it seems) on the street and in public buildings, including many of the toilets on the campus.
Can one find a toilet sign urging the user not to flush used papers but to put them in the container.
Do people drive the way they would walk in an open field.
Do Drivers take a free right turn on a red light, but do so without stopping. In fact they seem to speed through the corner, trying to get through the intersection before the pedestrians can.
Do Drivers take left turns with the same intention: to get to the center of the crosswalk before the pedestrians do so they won't have to brake or stop. They do slow and even stop if pedestrians are there, but usually they will try to drive around the pedestrian, forcing him or her to stop.
Do motorcyclists drive down sidewalks. It's especially problematic when they are riding electronic bikes, which like a Prius, make no sound at all. And they ride the same way the cars do.
Do motorcycles drive through red lights.
Do cars make U-turns whenever they feel the need to, even in the middle of a block, blocking traffic if the road is too narrow to make a complete "ewey" in one turn.
Do cars make U-turns in the middle of a four-lane road.
Do motorcycles ride any direction on one way streets.
Do motorcycles race across an intersection when the light turns red.
Did I observe a matronly woman conversing with friends in a restaurant over tea while calmly picking her nose.
Would a clerk in a high end department store mine her nose while a customer (Meg) looked at expensive robes and dresses , and as soon as the customer walked away, engage in folding and straightening the merchandise without washing her hands.
Would I see a t-shirt exclaiming:
All Money
No Bank
Or a t-shirt saying: I want Morgan Freeman to narrate my life.
Do the waitresses race after you to return any money you may have accidentally or intentionally left them at the end of your meal.
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