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01Introduction to the Republic of Korea
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02Multicultural Families and Foreigner Support Services
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03Residence and Naturalization
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04Korean Culture and Life
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05Pregnancy and Childbirth
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06Education of Children
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07Health and Healthcare
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08Social Security System
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09Employment and Labor
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10References
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Chapter Introduction Video
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FAQ
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Status of family centers
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Current Status of Danuri Helpline
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Migrant Background Youth Support Foundation
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Current Status of Saeil Center (New Job Center for Women)
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Immigration Offices
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Major Tourist Destinations by Region
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Contact Numbers for Key Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Korea
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Guide to Personal Information Protection
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Danuri Call Center : 1577-1366
가족상담전화 : 1644-6621
21F, 173, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Chungmuro 3-ga, Namsan Square Building)
Copyright ⓒ KOREA INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHY FAMILY. All Rights Reserved
01Types of Medical Institutions
Medical institutes are classified according to size, usage sequence, service content, and range. For less serious diseases such as colds, and digestive trouble, aid recipients must go to a smaller clinic to get treatment. If illness persists or a more thorough medical checkup is needed, recipients may then go to a general hospital to get treatment.
| Stages of medical care benefits | Primary | Secondary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corresponding medical care institutes | General practitioners’ offices, public health centers | Clinics, general hospitals | High-level general hospitals |
| Medical treatment | Outpatient medical treatment, vaccinations, health management | Physical examination, hospitalization | Intensive examination, medical treatment for disorder or disease, health management |
| Medical institutions | Public health centers, oriental medicine clinics, internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, health checkup centers | General hospitals with specialized departments | University hospital, etc. |
- To get treatment at a high-level general hospital using medical insurance benefits, patients must submit a referral from a 1st level treatment institute (i.e. local clinic). Medical insurance benefits at high-level general hospitals may only be received without a letter of referral in cases of emergency, childbirth, dental treatment, rehabilitation/therapy, family medicine, and hemophiliac treatments.
- There is a large number of oriental medicine clinics in Korea. These clinics provide a range of medical services including acupuncture, moxa cautery, and herbal medicine.
02Major Services and Major Diseases
| Clinic | Field |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | Treatment (not including surgery) for internal diseases Treatment of digestive disease (throat, stomach, etc.), lung cancer, and diseases related to the heart, blood vessels, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. |
| Pediatrics | Care and treatment of infants and children under 18: Care of premature babies, treatment of children’s diseases, allergies and others |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | Pregnancy and childbirth, and the treatment of disorders affecting the female reproductive system |
| Medical Division for Mental Health | Treatment of mental illnesses and disorders |
| Neurology | Treatment of diseases related to the nervous system such as stroke, epilepsy, dementia, neuralgia, etc. |
| Family Medicine | Comprehensive healthcare provided to people regardless of age or gender, placing particular emphasis on the family unit |
| Dermatology | Treatment of diseases related to the skin such as acne, hair loss, rashes, etc. |
| General Surgery | Treatment of diseases requiring operations such as appendicitis, infections, or severe digestive disorders |
| Orthopedic Surgery | Treatment of disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles by manual and instrumental means |
| Plastic Surgery | Eyelid reshaping and burn treatment to improve the shape and function of the body |
| Rehabilitation Medicine | Treatment of diseases related to muscle, bone, and nervous systems by rehab specialist doctors along with physical therapists |
| Urology | Treatment of disorders of the urinary tract including the kidneys and bladder, and reproductive organs such as the penis and the testicles |
| Ophthalmology | Treatment of diseases related to the eyes and optical nerves such as cataracts, glaucoma, and corrective operations for myopia |
| Otorhinolaryngology | Treatment for diseases related to the ears, nose, and throat |
| Dentistry | Treatment for tooth decay and cavities including teeth straightening, dental prosthesis, and scaling |
| Emergency Medicine | Diagnosis and treatment of emergency patients |
| Clinic | Field |
|---|---|
| Departments of internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, etc. (8 subjects with oriental treatments) | Treatments including acupuncture, herbal medicines and other medical practices that originated in Asia |
03How to Use Medical Services
(1)How to Use Primary Medical Institutions
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Present your health insurance card at the front desk and wait to be called
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When your name is called, explain your symptoms to the doctor
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Ask the doctor any questions you have regarding his or her instructions
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After the examination by the doctor, pay the bill and receive your prescription
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Visit a pharmacy near the hospital, show the prescription and buy medicine
(2)How to Use Secondary Medical Institutions
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Get a referral from a doctor at a primary medical institution
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Go to the secondary medical institution at your appointment time (be sure to arrive slightly early) and submit the referral from the primary medical institution
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Proceed to the designated department for medical treatment
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Receive your prescription; make an appointment for follow-up treatment, if necessary
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Pay your medical bill at the counter before you leave
04Coping with Emergency Situations
- Emergency medicine and painkillers for colds and flu may be useful if you keep them at home.
- If you call ☎119, an ambulance will come and take you to the nearest hospital. You will be treated in the emergency room. If you need to be hospitalized for surgery or medical examination, you will have to wait to be assigned a hospital room.
- Once a room is assigned, you must follow hospitalization procedures.
- Call ☎119 in an emergency situation
- Health and Welfare Call Center ☎129 (when using a mobile phone, dial area code + 129)
05Pharmacies and Medical Supplies
Medical supplies include prescribed medicines that require a prescription from a doctor and over-thecounter medicines that can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. There are various types of over-the-counter medicines such as cold pills, digestive medicines, antipyretic pills, analgesic pills, ointments for injury, and antidiarrheal agents.
Insecticides, sanitary pads, health supplementary drinks, condoms, etc., can be purchased at retail stores such as convenience stores, as well as drug stores. Thirteen products among antipyretic and analgesic pills, cold medicine, digestive medicines, and pain relief patches can be purchased at 24- hour convenience stores to be used in an emergency or to treat minor symptoms.
Basic first-aid medicines should be kept at home in order to treat common sicknesses and injuries. Many of these medicines are available at convenience stores, but it is still a good idea to keep a wellstocked first aid kit at home for emergency situations. This is particularly important for people who live far away from a hospital. Basic first aid kits should include the following:
- Anti-febrile: Reduces fever
- Pain-killer: Soothes or eliminates pain
- Digestive: Aids digestion
- Antidiarrheal drug: Treats diarrhea
- Eye drops: Relieves fatigue and pain of eyes
- Antiseptic: Inhibits the growth and reproduction of disease-causing bacteria
- Vaseline: Relives burns
- Ointment: Relieves itching
- Pain relief liquids: Treats insect bites or itchiness
- Patch: Applied directly to the skin for muscle pain
- Antibiotic adhesive band: Applied on cuts to prevent infection
- Additional items: Box of gauze, absorbent cotton, scissors, thermometer, sterilized bandage and plasters
