1. What to do before visiting a hospital
Some medical institutions accept patients without an appointment, while others require a reservation or prioritize those with one for faster consultation.
Additionally, consultation hours may vary depending on the day of the week.
When visiting a medical institution, prepare the following items:
- Health insurance card (or proof of travel or health insurance if applicable)
- Identification document (such as a passport or residence card)
- Money (Many small clinics accept only cash.)
- Medications and supplements you are currently taking
- Referral letter (Required when visiting a large hospital.)
Before your visit, be sure to contact the medical institution by phone or check in advance.
2. Reception
If you have a health insurance card, tell the receptionist, "This is my first visit," and present your insurance card.
You will receive a "medical questionnaire." This form asks about your current health condition, past illnesses or injuries, and any allergies you may have.
After completing the questionnaire, submit it to the receptionist and wait in the waiting area.
3. Medical consultation
A "medical consultation" is a process in which a doctor examines a patient's illness or injury.
When your name is called by the medical staff, enter the consultation room.
The doctor will ask you questions, examine your condition, and perform any necessary tests or treatments.
After the consultation, return to the waiting area.
4. Payment
When your name is called, go to the reception desk and pay for the consultation.
You will receive a patient card, a prescription (a document listing the medications prescribed by the doctor), and a receipt.
If a "follow-up visit" is required, check whether you need to make an appointment.
5. Receiving medication
When you receive a prescription (a document listing the medications prescribed by the doctor) from a medical institution, you can obtain your medication in one of the following ways:
- In-hospital prescription: You receive your medication directly from the medical institution.
- Out-of-hospital prescription: You take your prescription to an external pharmacy to purchase the medication.
At the pharmacy, a "pharmacist" (a medication specialist) will prepare your medicine based on the prescription.
At the pharmacy counter, present your prescription, health insurance card, and, if available, your medication record book. Please note that if you do not have a health insurance card, you may need to pay additional fees. Wait while the pharmacist prepares your medication. When your name is called, pay for the medicine and receive it.
At this point, the pharmacist will explain how to take the medication, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
The prescribed medication is specifically prepared for your illness or injury. Do not give it to others.
Additionally, a prescription issued by a medical institution is only valid for four days. If more than four days have passed, you will need to obtain a new prescription from the medical institution. At that time, you may be required to see the doctor again.
Reference：Tokyo Intercultural Portal Site（Go to a hospital） (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation “TSUNAGARI”)
Tokyo Intercultural Portal Site（Buy medicine） (Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation “TSUNAGARI”)
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