110 CultureShock! China
Payment policies are different than the foreign-managed
hospitals. You may be required to pay a deposit of at least US$
1,300 just to be admitted. Still, the cost of an examination in
a local hospital’s foreigner unit is less than US$ 50, usually
at least half that of the foreign-managed hospitals.
Cultural differences toward health care can also create
stress when a foreigner is being cared for in a Chinese
hospital. Chinese people are usually passive participants
in health care and faithfully follow doctor’s orders. Chinese
doctors unaccustomed to foreigners may find the questions,
discussion and talkativeness of Western patients unsettling.
A foreign patient must be persistent and tactful to get the
information needed to feel comfortable.
It may also be difficult to secure medical charts when
leaving the hospital. Do not assume medical records will
be provided. If you need them for your home physician to
review, it is best to be proactive in securing them.
Chinese approach to medical practices also differ from
those in the West in that Chinese prefer aggressive treatment.
It is standard to put someone feeling under the weather
straight onto an IV drip. Antibiotics are often given for just
a common cold.