My previous career was in natural therapies, which includes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). I was delighted to find a TCM University here in Jinan, and decided to pay a visit, and get some of my health concerns attended to at the same time at their clinic.
On arrival at the huge, imposing building I found to my dismay that it was under renovation. So as I stood there scratching my head, I was approached by a 23 yo Chinese student, a girl with an "English name" of Joan, who offered to help me.
And help me she did. She accompanied me as my guide and translator for the next four hours as I went through an amazing process. First I had a consultation with a beautifully preserved woman at the student clinic who referred me to a clinic at the nearby hospital, that was affiliated with the university. We walked a kilometre through back streets to a building I would not have recognised as a clinic let alone a hospital, and paid 6 kwai to see a another beautifully preserved woman doctor. She took my pulses and looked at my tongue and apologised that apart from Chinese she didn't know English - only Russian (which dated her).
Amazingly, during the consultation, the next patient just walks in and sits down, very interested to hear about my medical problems. And then the next patient and her husband. There were now six in the room. I was causing a log jam. I was astounded to see in the next cubicle a patient smoking while he was consulting the doctor.
It was somewhat embarrassing for me to have to translate my medical symptoms through Joan - but she seems to be enjoying the experience of putting her "English major" into practice. I would have been absolutely lost without her, with all the bureaucratic steps (I had to go back to the cashier's office three times as my consultation progressed). I was expecting acupuncture. I was given an ECG for 60 kwai (the cost of the previous night's meal!) and prescribed some western drug (drat!) as well as liquid Chinese herbs in sachets (150 kwai). I needed to return at 5.30 that evening to collect them.
In the dispensary I was amused to see one staff member in a dirty white coat with an ancient abacus in front of her, using a modern mobile phone to do her calculations.
On arrival at the huge, imposing building I found to my dismay that it was under renovation. So as I stood there scratching my head, I was approached by a 23 yo Chinese student, a girl with an "English name" of Joan, who offered to help me.
And help me she did. She accompanied me as my guide and translator for the next four hours as I went through an amazing process. First I had a consultation with a beautifully preserved woman at the student clinic who referred me to a clinic at the nearby hospital, that was affiliated with the university. We walked a kilometre through back streets to a building I would not have recognised as a clinic let alone a hospital, and paid 6 kwai to see a another beautifully preserved woman doctor. She took my pulses and looked at my tongue and apologised that apart from Chinese she didn't know English - only Russian (which dated her).Amazingly, during the consultation, the next patient just walks in and sits down, very interested to hear about my medical problems. And then the next patient and her husband. There were now six in the room. I was causing a log jam. I was astounded to see in the next cubicle a patient smoking while he was consulting the doctor.
It was somewhat embarrassing for me to have to translate my medical symptoms through Joan - but she seems to be enjoying the experience of putting her "English major" into practice. I would have been absolutely lost without her, with all the bureaucratic steps (I had to go back to the cashier's office three times as my consultation progressed). I was expecting acupuncture. I was given an ECG for 60 kwai (the cost of the previous night's meal!) and prescribed some western drug (drat!) as well as liquid Chinese herbs in sachets (150 kwai). I needed to return at 5.30 that evening to collect them.
In the dispensary I was amused to see one staff member in a dirty white coat with an ancient abacus in front of her, using a modern mobile phone to do her calculations.
Interestingly, when I asked Joan whether I needed a referral to a specialist, and would the doctor be offended if I asked her, she replied "In China we have a saying that you need to visit at least three doctors!" When asked whether the doctor would refer me, Joan looked shocked. No, that wasn't the doctors prerogative. It seems you have to find your own specialist?
To show my gratitude, I took Joan to a restaurant (with English translations on the menu), and as she was currently seeking a job, introduced her to a travel agent I had been dealing with, who happily advised her how to get a job in his company.
I had to return that evening and was chuffed to catch the right bus and get off at the right place, but it was 6pm when I get there and found the place closed! But an affable man at a side door barked instructions to a student to take me around the back of the building and I was able to collect the (still hot) brewed herbs. Which taste vile.
To show my gratitude, I took Joan to a restaurant (with English translations on the menu), and as she was currently seeking a job, introduced her to a travel agent I had been dealing with, who happily advised her how to get a job in his company.
I had to return that evening and was chuffed to catch the right bus and get off at the right place, but it was 6pm when I get there and found the place closed! But an affable man at a side door barked instructions to a student to take me around the back of the building and I was able to collect the (still hot) brewed herbs. Which taste vile.
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