IN ORDER TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT
I am a general practitioner as well as a specialist in cardiovascular disease. So, you can consult me about a wide range of health problems: from heart disease to the common cold. If your problem is found to be beyond my capability, I will promptly refer you to the appropriate experts in that particular area of medicine.
Although I can treat any foreign patients, I am only proficient in the English language. Therefore, it is difficult for me to treat non-English speakers unless the help of an interpreter is available. In addition, except for the doctor, no clinical staff are capable of speaking English; so the making of an appointment or any consultation before the visit will require the help of a Japanese-speaking friend or associate.
Basically, I accept only Japanese health insurance. Some travel or private insurances may be accepted, but it depends on the case. If no healthcare insurance is available, the payment will be calculated based on (not necessarily equivalent to) Japanese health insurance rates.
The filling of drug prescriptions is done only at out-of-hospital pharmacies. Although there is a pharmacy near my clinic, you can choose any drug store that is convenient. If you have to go to a pharmacy, the payment for the drugs should be made at that location.
I have a few small requests to help make your medical consultation as pleasant and productive as possible. Please summarize or write down questions in order of priority before the visit. It’s a good idea to put together a detailed list of symptoms, as well as provide information about medications you’re already taking. Multilingual medical questionnaire, including an English version, may be useful. It helps if you bring test results or medical reports from other healthcare professionals you may have visited previously.
Thank you.
Junichi Minami, MD, PhD
