As we awake from our extended stupor, Brian and I ran some errands this week that leave us feeling more human. One of those tasks was finding a dentist for our periodic cleaning. I've been particularly overwhelmed to approach any health-care related task here (for what I assume are obvious reasons). Yet I knew I'd need to face the facts and stay on the up and up with our oral health care. So I prepared myself for the worst, and started calling English-speaking dentist offices. It was time to play ball.
In the US (particularly in DC), I'd have to call four months in advance to make an appointment. FOUR MONTHS. Does anyone else think that is a bit excessive? I called before Chinese New Year hoping I could make an appointment for the next month. The receptionist was shocked I wanted to book an appointment so far in advance, and kept trying to cajole me to come in the next day. "After Chinese New Year?!," she exclaimed. "We don't know our schedule yet after the holiday. Just call the week you want an appointment." So I did. I froze, slept, and stumbled around a few weeks, and finally called again. I told her the exact time I wanted appointments, and she booked them for Brian and me. Ease of booking appointments? China one, US zero.
D-day finally arrived a few days later (coincidentally, V-day this week), and we took a taxi to the premier hospital in the city. As other Westerners had reassured us, the international ward was incredibly nice. The hygienist (from California) saw us immediately. She scrubbed our pearly whites, until they were well, white :). Best of all, we received this top-notch care for only $45/person. Turns out, we could get our teeth cleaned as a foreigner with Western technology/medical standards, and Chinese prices/billing practices :). Value for dental work? China two, US zero.
I am thrilled to discover how easy it is to receive excellent, affordable health care in China as a foreigner.* As a bonus, however, I also gained some education about receiving health care in China as a Chinese person. The hygienist's husband (also American) happens to be the marketing director at the hospital. Whether he's just an incredibly friendly guy or happened to be bored that morning, he sat down with me while his wife cleaned my husband's teeth and chatted about life in a Chinese hospital. He told fascinating stories about how health care works in this country.
Like the US, doctors often spend very little time with patients. Moreover (as I had learned to my advantage), many people in China don't make appointments to see a doctor. They just show up, and often have to wait for hours. Combine this extended waiting with limited face time when they finally receive care, and many people begin to feel desperate. Patients in the waiting room will therefore often intrude on patients that have already been admitted both out of boredom and to try to glean more information about their own situation. Sitting in a room in an oh-so-breezy hospital gown in the midst of an awkward procedure? Have your privates exposed to the harsh hospital elements? Even these situations are not above a stranger just barging in on the room. As Brian and I have learned the hard way, the Western idea of privacy simply does not exist here. For patient privacy and confidentiality, the US is far better. US one, China two.
Additionally, since patients cannot sue doctors for malpractice, they will often break glass, throw furniture, or physically assault the doctor and/or hospital guard if they are angry. While this approach is obviously violent, it goes with the trend here to settle disputes immediately when they occur. Whether for medical malpractice or car wrecks, there are no insurance claims or suits, no litigation dragging out for years in court. Just an exchange of money, blows, and words.
One man had recently climbed to the top of the hospital with a large sign lambasting the doctor and authorities in charge of the ER where his mother had recently died. In his grief and fury, he threatened to jump into the crowds below. The hospital leadership apparently struck a compromise with him: he could sit on the roof for one day, publicly shaming the hospital to his heart's content, if he'd agree to descend the building via stairs and not air. Apparently this compromise worked for hospital and patient.
How do we score US versus China health care regarding patient rights? I'm actually not sure. My first impulse was to say the US is better in this category, hands down. Yet what kind of health care system do we currently have? Haven't the costs of malpractice insurance, insane health care premiums, and lack of transparency taken their toll on us? I have certainly been tempted at times to break glass and throw chairs. Sure, we can sue, but at what financial and emotional cost? I'll have to call a draw for this one.
I'd almost say China wins regarding my experience dealing with these two country's health care systems. Yet I must disclose that both times I've walked through the ER corridors of a Chinese hospital, I've immediately gotten sick afterwards. Perhaps this is because my immune system is still not accustomed to every bug here, but the cough I picked up a few days ago is still quite unpleasant. So as far as unwanted side effects from doctor's visits, I'll say the US wins. US two, China two.
We'll declare a tie for now. As the US has recently hosted the next Chinese President this past week, perhaps the diplomatic score is the best one to use for concluding my health-related musings :).
*Yes, my goal is to break out of expat circles as much as possible and not remain in a Western bubble. Living in Chinese accommodation and dealing with Chinese university bureaucracy, however, tests the elasticity of my cross-cultural limits. I am not ready to go "local" with health care. We can only acclimate so much day by day :).