Sickness and HealthPresenter: Jessica Gordon

Getting Prepared: All The Cards

Be sure to take the medical card (kenko

hoensho) with you to every doctor you see

Be sure to get registered with your

nearest hospital as soon as possible!

Most likely, your nearest hospital will give you

a slip of paper and/ or card as well.

o Highly suggested: Keep all medical slips and

cards together in case of emergency

Checklist for visiting the doctor

Do you have your medical card (kenko hoensho)?

Do you have this clinic’s / hospital’s registered card (shinsatsu ken)?

Do you have a Japanese/ English medical dictionary?

Do you have your supervisor/ JTE? Not always necessary for a cold or

something small Very necessary if you have no idea what’s

wrong with you

Going to the Hospital/Clinic

First time you go you will be given an application form (shinsatsu moshikoshimo) o After you fill it out, give it to the receptionist with your

medical card You’ll get a patient’s card (shinsatsu ken) Then you will wait…and wait…and wait….(bring a

book or something) o You might have to fill out some medical history paperwork

while you wait After you see your doctor, go to the receptionist or

cashier to pay. Lastly, get your medicine either from the medicine

counter or go to a nearby pharmacy.

Taking Sick Leave First, call your school and supervisor and tell them

you’re sick. Next, go to the doctor and get a sick leave slip.

o Warning! It will cost you money. o Or if you’re lucky, your school may accept a medicine slip as

a leave slip.

You have about 10 days of paid medical leave BUT! It can get tricky to use it

Since most teachers in Japan don’t use their leave, oftentimes ALTs will feel pressured into not using their leave as well.

Also, using medical leave in general has caused tension between ALTs and their Boards of Education.

Medical Fees

With your medical insurance card, you don’t pay for

most doctor’s visits

o All clinic visits are paid for by the BOE

o Specialists can require you to pay upfront, but you

should get your money back from the BOE for

necessary medical needs.

You may have to pay some money for the medicine at

the clinic

o Somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 yen

o Sick leave slip: 1,000 to 3,000 yen

The Medical Check Process

Answer a bunch of medical questions on this paper they thrust at you.

Take off your shirt. They need an X-ray. Weight and height check. Urine sample required. Blood drain Sight test Hearing test Stomach poking and prodding

HIV/AIDSIf you think you might have a STI/STD, there are resources available to you:

Public Health Services (hokenjo) offer free and

anonymous testing

Hospital testing costs: ¥5,000 - ¥18,000

o May not be anonymous so be careful

Japan HIV Center (Tokyo): 03-5259-0256

o www.npo-jhc.com

Mental Health If you’re feeling negatively stressed by your workplace, living situation, or experiencing cultural fatigue, contact one of the available helplines:

JETLINE: 03-5213-1729 JETMAIL: jet@clair.or.jp AJET Peer Support Group: 050-5534-5566

Your Prefectural Advisors (PAs) and Block Leaders are useful resources as well.