Medical & Health
- The following blogs address specific needs expressed by our international community living in South Korea. We have surveyed over a hundred individuals living across nine different provinces to understand the needs of the community. Our team researches the challenges the international community in Korea face and works to find solutions to these challenges.
- We HIGHLY recommend reading each of these blogs more than once as they will provide you with a great deal of insight into the Korean healthcare system. Health policies constantly change and our team does their best to keep our blogs up-to-date with the latest information and resources.
- If you have public health-related concerns that need to be added to this list, feel free to let us know in the comments or message us at publichealth@southofseoul.net
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Best English Speaking Eye Clinics in Seoul
Looking for an eye doctor or eye clinic in South Korea that you KNOW speaks excellent English? Even though we focus on providing information about resources outside Seoul, sometimes there are things you should go to Seoul for. Elective surgery is often one of them when you don’t speak Korean and you want to feel fully informed. Medical Tourism in Seoul As international residents in South Korea, we benefit from the medical tourism in Seoul and other major cities. This is because a wide variety of medical clinics, including eye…
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Emergency Shelters in Korea
Do you need help finding emergency shelters in Korea? We’ve got you! Importance of Emergency Shelters in South Korea If you live in South Korea, it’s important to know what to do in an emergency. Natural disasters such as floods, fires earthquakes – as well as civil emergencies such as military threats – can happen anywhere and at anytime. Not only can they happen, the happen often across the country. You NEED to have a plan in place for when you need a shelter. Access to Emergency Shelters In emergency…
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About South Korean Health Care System, Culture & Community, Culture Shock Tips, Health care self advocacy, Maternal Health, Medical & Health, Mental Health Resources, Physical & Mental Wellness, Public Health, Tips of Living Your Best Life
Overcoming Language Barriers in Korean Healthcare: A Practical Guide
Have you ever needed to overcome a language barrier while accessing healthcare in Korea? Many of us have, even those who speak Korean somewhat fluently. Language barriers can be challenging but not impossible to navigate. This blog post offers some tips on how to overcome such language barriers that may help.
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Navigating Korean Pharmacies: Handling Ailments Without a Doctor Visit
Personal experiences are one of the best tools for learning in Korea. Our volunteer, Tara, shares how she manages tonsillitis and other common ailments without visiting a Doctor. Tara lives in Korea under the SOFA agreement and uses US-based health insurance. This is her story. My Lens on Healthcare in Korea Living in South Korea for many years has taught me just how reliable and affordable the Korean healthcare system can be. From local clinics to major hospitals, care is accessible and efficient. But, for me, what is one of…
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A Beginners Guide to Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication in South Korea
When living in South Korea, understanding how to find over-the-counter (OTC) medicine might feel a bit daunting at first. Pharmacies (약국, yakguk) are the main place to go for most OTC medications. However, the availability and process may differ slightly from what you’re used to in your home country. This blog post provides an overview of commonly used OTC medications in Korea and products and tips for finding what you need. While we hope this guide helps you get started, please remember that pharmacists and doctors should always be your…
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How I Use AI to Navigate Korean Traditional Medicine Teas
Interested in accessing traditional medicine in South Korea? I’ve been visiting such clinics for the last 14 years and recently started using AI to better understand the teas I experience. So here is how I use AI to navigate Korean Traditional Medicine teas. Disclaimers & Foundational Information Nothing in this post exists as medical advice. Neither AI nor myself hold any medical training. You should always consult your physician regarding anything to do with your health. Additionally, AI information often has intense errors. You need to validate any information produced…
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Types of ADHD Treatments in Korea
Interested in seeking an ADHD diagnosis in South Korea? Wondering about the types of ADHD treatments in Korea? According to our research, we’ve found medication, behavioral therapy, and digital therapies used in Korea. About Our ADHD Information South of Seoul public health information is not medical advice. We research information and share what we find so that you can seek medical advice as needed. About ADHD Treatments in South Korea Although South Korea may not offer the same ADHD treatments as those available in your home country, South Korea increasingly…
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How to Get an ADHD Assessment in Korea
The following blog post is for both adults and children who need ADHD assessments while living in South Korea. We will discuss the terms you need to find an assessment location near you, paths to ADHD assessment, how the assessment works, cost for different types of assessments, and social issues around being assessed. This blog post includes both online research and the lived experiences of international residents seeking treatment in South Korea. About ADHD Assessments in South Korea Despite what you may see represented in many English language posts, Korea…
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Cost of ADHD Assessments in Korea
The cost of ADHD assessments in Korea might surprise you. Depending on where you choose to go, it’s very cheap or very expensive. In the following blog post, we will talk about assessments at Korean psychiatric clinics v. assessments at mental health clinics near US military bases using international insurance. Healthcare and Insurance in Korea Did you know that not all international residents living in South Korea don’t all have the same type of health insurance? For example, SOFA-status (those affiliated with the US military) use international health insurance while…
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About South Korean Health Care System, Health care self advocacy, Maternal Health, Physical & Mental Wellness, Public Health, Women's Health
Blood Types That May Face Issues in Finding Donations in Korea
Unfortunately, we learned about blood types that may face difficulties in finding donations in Korea the tragic way. Therefore, researching this information so that international residents interested in moving to Korea understand 1) the potential risks for certain blood types and 2) the importance of donating blood. Let’s talk about this very serious life-and-death issue. Globally, Blood Types Vary The issue of blood type availability is not unique to Korea. Blood type availability in the medical field varies significantly by country due to differences in blood type distribution, donation systems,…
