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The following is an interview with Josie Hasegawa; former translator
for Takeda Hospital:
Q: Which department receives the most consultations?
A: I have assisted patients in
every department but most frequently in the Obstetrics, Pediatrics,
Internal Medicine, ENT (ear, nose & throat) and Gastroenterology
Departments. Some people return to their home country for surgery
or childbirth due to worries about having to stay in a hospital
without being able to understand the Japanese hospital's procedures,
doctors and nurses. Lately, many patients have decided to remain
in Japan and have surgeries or give birth in our hospital. I
usually talk with doctors and consider the right treatment
for the patient
and reduce the examination time as much as possible. People who
have just arrived in Japan are nervous and it is very important
to take away their anxiety as well as cure their illness.
Q: Since medical terminology is not in the average dictionary,
how do you learn it?
A: Doctors and nurses at the Takeda
Hospital are very cooperative and clearly understand the need
of good communication among foreign patients. Doctors thoroughly
explain the medical terms that I do not know and after I have
fully understood them, I interpret to the patient as clearly as
I can. Most of the medical terminology is derived from Latin.
Since English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French come from
Latin is very easy for me to understand most of the medical terminology
but, sometimes I also search on the Internet for more detailed
information in English.
Q: How does the Japanese medical system differ from American
medical care?
A: A major difference is that ambulances
in the United States are staffed with highly trained paramedics
who can give medical treatment to patients before transporting
them to the hospital. The cost of Emergency Services is much
higher
than the cost of going to the Outpatient Clinic. There is a charge
for using the ambulance services in the USA. The charges range
from $100 - $ 500 (US dollars) depending on the area and the
distance to the hospital. To avoid the ambulance services payment,
some people even drive themselves to the hospital after an accident.
A big difference that many people do not realize is that in Japan
ambulance services are free and emergency cases are treated
quickly.
Some people think that the emergency medical system in Japan
is like that of the USA , a serious illness will cost a lot
of money
so they hesitate to call an ambulance for emergency situations
in Japan. For example the other day, someone who couldn't endure
a severe stomach pain came to the hospital by car to the Outpatient
Clinic where he waited as a normal walk-in patient. After consultation
with the doctor, it turned out that this person had appendicitis
and if it had been a left any longer it could have been a dangerous
situation, maybe resulting in death. Since then I have been
telling
foreign patients to come directly to the Emergency Room rather
than waiting to go to the Outpatient clinic if they have an
accident
or unusual symptoms. We should not consider the cost of medical
services because life is more important than money. Many foreigners
do not know that they may even qualify for assistance from the
Social Welfare System and that the Takeda General Hospital
has
on its staff Social Workers to help patients with medical assistance.
Q: Are you satisfied working as a translator at the Takeda Hospital?
A: I am very satisfied to be able
to fill a great need to help people communicate with each other.
Patients have a great need to accurately communicate
their medical symptoms and doctors have a need to communicate
their
medical
treatment. Otherwise, miscommunication can result in serious
medical
problems later on. One of the most important things that I have
learned during the last two years working as a translator at
the
Takeda General Hospital, is not to panic during emergency situations,
so that I can best help the patient to calm down. Finally, to
foreign readers ... in an emergency , don't just grin and bear
it, come straight to the Emergency Room.
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