Writing out information or hand language will be helpful as most medical personnel can read and write English medical terminology. Choosing a Physician Several of the larger hospitals in Seoul have foreigners' clinics staffed by physicians who speak English or by an English speaking nurse who will coordinate appointments for you with specialists who speak decent English. Many Korean physicians do not display their license or other credentials, and diplomacy is needed in order to find out their qualifications as doctors. This may seem confrontational to them. Also, asking about the diagnoses, prescriptions and treatments that the physician recommends is seen as questioning their capabilities.
Korean physicians can appear very abrupt and uncaring.
They are used to seeing a lot of patients in a limited time in a clinic setting. Koreans do not have the same sense of privacy as most Westerners do, and this may create problems. Sometimes you just have to endure what you consider an embarrassment. It is strongly suggested that you know what your blood type is. Blood type testing cost approximately 4,000 won and takes 10 minutes.