在日本看醫生

In the past couple of days, I've been feeling a strange sensation in my heart, like it’s being squeezed every few minutes. There's no pain or any other unusual symptoms. I initially thought it was just temporary, but since it persisted for over a day without improvement, and since it concerns the heart, I decided to see a doctor.

The receptionists and the doctor were quite friendly, and my symptoms were surprisingly easy to describe: "It feels like it’s being tightly gripped." After asking about any pain and how long it had been going on, I was taken for various tests: an ECG, a chest X-ray, and a blood test. Before my appointment, I did some research online, and the symptoms that seemed to match the most were those of angina, known in Chinese as 心絞痛.

After reviewing the ECG and X-ray, the doctor remarked, "The structure looks beautiful," but since the ECG only reflects the current state and the X-ray showed no major issues with the heart, serious conditions could be temporarily ruled out. The doctor mentioned that high stress could potentially lead to such sensations, and indeed, I have been under more stress lately, though not to the extent that would cause this. Consequently, the doctor scheduled a cardiac ultrasound to get a better look at my blood vessels.

Now, let's talk about the costs involved. 5,100 yen might seem expensive to a Taiwanese person (this is already the price with health insurance included), but I think this amount is quite reasonable, especially considering all the tests done that day. Taiwan's health insurance is so cheap that it tends to lead to misuse, but it seems this is not something that can be changed overnight.

Next, a brief overview of the health insurance system. Japan's health insurance is quite different from Taiwan's, primarily divided into "National Health Insurance" and "Social Insurance." National Health Insurance is managed by the government, while Social Insurance is organized by unions. Currently, I'm enrolled in TJK (Tokyo Information Service Industry Insurance), and generally, anyone who is working will join Social Insurance. In Japan, health insurance covers 30% of the costs uniformly, unlike Taiwan, where the payment is based on a tiered system.

A unique aspect of Japan is its emphasis on a tiered medical system. For minor ailments, you start at a clinic, while more serious conditions requiring hospitalization or comprehensive examinations are directed to major hospitals. If you go directly to a major hospital without a proper referral, you will face a hefty registration fee. Additionally, emergency departments do not simply allow walk-ins; they typically only accept patients whose conditions have deteriorated rapidly or those brought in by ambulance. This system actually works quite well, as it prevents a flood of patients with minor issues from clogging up emergency rooms or visiting major hospitals just to pick up prescriptions.

Recently, I came across a Japanese news article: A Painful Record Left by a Man Who Died of Diabetes in His 50s, which detailed his journey with diabetes through a diary. In the face of illness, humanity's power truly feels minuscule. I hope everyone takes good care of their health.