Despite teeth-grating airport security, Twitter-worthy traveller bad behaviour, and the occasional horrific lost-in-translation story, travelling and living abroad continues to be an eye opening, social media brag-worthy blast. Things can take a turn for the worse, though, when you are abroad and fall sick or just plain-old fall with a broken leg. Questions such as where to go, what to bring, will the insurance cover this and will I be safe, may be racing through your mind as your body seizes up with pain or fever.
Thus is explained the popularity of international standard healthcare providers among expats in China, offering a top-notch level of care and an environment that would soothe any vexed nerve or serious ailment. Away from the foreigners, as China’s middle class and wealth continues to grow, so does the demand for international grade items and services. Outfits such as International SOS provide a wide variety of nationalities with individualised and comprehensive healthcare. Customers can expect low wait times and visits with international, high level physicians on an appointment basis. In a country such as China, long lines, language barriers and inconsistent treatment can be common and quite dangerous to individuals who are unfamiliar with the system.
According to Irina Mach, Marketing Manager for International SOS China Clinics for the past five years, China’s population has responded positively to the increasing availability of private international healthcare options. With a BA in Chinese and German Languages and a Masters in International Business, she comments, “Clinics like International SOS are very different to the hospital-based system that is common here. The personalized service and comprehensive, holistic approach to medical care is a growing need in the market”. The broad message is that clients, both international and Chinese, are not just looking to treat their symptoms; they are looking for a complete and long term approach to maintaining a high level of overall health.
In addition to a more comprehensive line of treatment and services, private international healthcare offers faster access to highly experienced medical professionals as well as waiting rooms that are quieter and less crowded. Doctors in these facilities are able to take the time to get to know their patients as well as focus on individualised preventative care. This extra time and care also allows doctors to work with patients to identify risky behaviour or external elements that may negatively influence one’s health. Although international private healthcare may stray from traditional Chinese healthcare facilities, services fall in line with Chinese medical practices as well as what is important to Chinese medical clients. Mach, who also previously worked for the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, states, “We are expecting international private healthcare to continue to grow in China as patients demand easier and faster access to doctors of choice. Patients are increasingly looking for the personalised comprehensive care that a private facility can provide. China has always had a strong focus on preventative care and international private healthcare fits into this demand”.
While the demand for international private healthcare is on the rise, obstacles still exist in the form of traditional perceptions towards general practitioners and diagnoses. In China, self-diagnoses are much more routine than visiting a general practitioner or family doctor. As self-diagnosis can be inaccurate, individuals can sometimes act on misinformation, which will lead them to a doctor whose specialty may not match their actual needs. That is why having a regular general practitioner available is so important not just for one-off ailments and aches, but for one’s overall health over the long term. The situation becomes acute where one has multiple health issues, perhaps necessitating several specialists. Part of the job of a GP is to ensure these specialists are not working at odds with each other.
As international private healthcare facilities have continued to grow, so have Chinese facilities continued to expand their offerings to both the Chinese and international public. Chinese hospitals in larger tier one and two cities have been building international wings to provide healthcare service similar to that of private international clinics and hospitals. However, the competition is at present unable to provide the wide-ranging services and care that international clinics and hospitals already have in place. Mach elaborates, “International VIP wings have been around in China for many years, they still face the same challenges around being able to choose which doctor you see and focus primarily on specialist care and not on comprehensive health and well-being.”
Having spent quite a bit of time as both an expat in China and an employee of International SOS in China, Mach has plenty of good advice to offer newcomers to China who have questions about where to go and who to see for their general well being and emergency health needs, “For expatriates, culturally the Chinese health system is very different to what they are used to. It is largely hospital based and there can be significant language barriers. Our advice is that any new arrival to China should identify a facility that they know will provide comprehensive healthcare that they understand.” As the system can vary widely from what international visitors are used to, people should look at the differing health care options before entering a new country. Finding a trustworthy doctor is also very important for anyone considering the big move. Community referrals are especially helpful, and visiting the facility is an especially good move when in the midst of making a decision. For those individuals with pre-existing conditions or who are continuously taking medication, they should see a doctor as soon as possible to help the doctor become familiar with their condition(s) and so they can monitor any changes that may occur while under their care.
This article was first published in The Nanjinger Magazine, September 2015 Issue. If you would like to read the whole magazine, please follow this link.
