Let's go to hospitals , hospitals of Oriental medicine , or public health centers , which are public medical institutions.

1) Hospitals
There are both general hospitals (jonghap byeongwon ), and private practices (illban byeongwon ). General hospitals are able to treat many ailments; they have the latest medical equipment, the most medical personnel, and ample hospital beds. Still, the large number of people seeking medical attention means that you may have to wait a long period of time before being seen by medical personnel. Private practices, on the other hand, have usually two or three doctors specializing in either internal medicine or pediatrics for example, and see only persons needing that kind of medical attention. These can be convenient because they are closer to home and there is less of a wait.

2) Hospitals of Oriental Medicine
Hanbang byeongwon are hospitals that treat patients with Oriental medicine. People go to these hospitals particularly when they feel pain, their body feels disjointed, or are feeling physically weak. Herbal medicine and acupuncture are used in treatment. Herbal medications use plant, animal, and mineral ingredients from nature with only simple processing. Accupuncture is a form of treatment that uses long needles. There are nine types of needles, known as the Nine Needles. The needles are applied to the skin and muscles at varying depths to stimulate the blood vessels.

3) Public Health Centers
These are public medical institutions. Cities, counties , and city districts all have public health centers (bogeonso ), and rural areas have smaller scale facilities called "treatment centers" (jillyoso ). They offer light treatment and are inexpensive, and tuberculosis testing , blood pressure examination , and blood testing is free of charge. There are regular check-ups and preventive shots for infants. Centers sometimes offer classes on nutrition and health issues.

4) Using Hospital Services
University hospitals and other general hospital have superior facilities, but the number of people seeking medical attention means there are crowds at the reception window. Even when you have been through reception, you may have to wait hours to be examined. This is why for light symptoms such as colds, it can be more convenient to go to a private practice that is in your neighborhood. When you think it best to go to a general hospital, treatment or admission is easier if you go through the process of making reservations
(1) Ordinary process of examination at a hospital
-Present your medical insurance card at the reception counter and explain your condition
-Take the treatment card given you by the reception counter and take it to the window of the department you are sent to, then wait.
-Go to the examination room when your name is called and be examined.
-After being examined or treated, go to the cashier window and pay the treatment fee
-Take the prescription written you by the doctor and go to a pharmacy outside the hospital to purchase the needed pharmaceuticals.
(2) In case you are admitted for treatment
-There are cases where you may required to make a financial deposit or have someone guarantee your ability to pay when you are admitted to the hospital for testing , treatment , or surgery .
-There are some kinds of hospital rooms not covered by medical insurance, for example, rooms that are not shared and have only one bed.
-You should bring your own toiletries , cup, knife, and fork

5) Medical Department by Symptom
-Internal medicine : cold symptoms (fever, headache, coughs, etc), diarrhea , diabetes .
-External medicine : surgery
-Orthopedics : joint ailments , bone fractures (after auto accidents).
-Dentistry : toothaches , teeth-related ailments
-Ophthalomology : eye troubles
-Obstetrics and Gynecology : Childbirth , womens health issues .
-Pediatrics : Ailments particular to children
-E.N.T : Ailments relating to the ears , nose , and throat .

6) Purchasing Pharmaceuticals
Because Korea has separate legal definitions for the professions of doctor and pharmacist, prescriptions must be issued by doctors, and these are then filled out by pharmacists. This means that before purchasing medicines, you must be seen by a doctor. Pharmaceutical products for the treatment of headaches, digestion problems, and minor pains, and other minor ailments may be purchased without a doctor's prescription

7) Dial 119 Emergency
Call 119 if someone is suddenly stricken ill or seriously injured. An ambulance will arrive and take the person to the hospital, and the cost is free. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has designated emergency medical treatment facilities pre-specified in each area that are relatively advanced in personnel, equipment, and facilities







<Emergency Treatment Centers by Area>

City / Province	Hospital Name	Hospital Address	Phone Number
Seoul	Seoul National University Hospital	28 yeongon-dong, Jongnogu, Seoul	02-760-5114
Busan	Busan National University Hospital	10 Ama1-dong, Seo-gu Busan	051-254-0171
Daegu	Gyeongbuk National University Hospital	50Samdeokdong2-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu	053-422-1141
Gwangju	Jeonnam National University Hospital	8 Hak1-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju	062-220-5114
Incheon	Ghill Central Hospital	1198 Guwol-dong, Namdonggu, Incheon	032-460-3114
Daejeon	Chungnam National University Hospital	640 Daesa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon	042-220-7114
Ulsan	Ulsan Hospital	34-72Sineong5dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan	052-259-5000
South Gyeonggi	Aju University Hospital	San5,Wonmi-dong, paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province	031-219-5114
North Gyeonggi	Uijeongbu St.Mary's Hospital	65-1 Geumho-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province	031-820-3000
Gangwon (Gangneung)	Dongin Hospital	1065-2Ponam-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon Province	033-651-6161
Gangwon (Wonju)	Wonju Christian Hospital	162 Ilsan-dong, Wonju, Gangwon Province	033-741-0114
Chungbuk	Chungbuk National University Hospital	62 Gassin-dong, Hongdeok-gu, Cheongju, Cungbuk Province	043-269-6114
Chungnam	Dankook University Hospital	san16-5 Anseodong, Cheonan, Chungnam Province	042-550-7114
Jeonbuk	Jeonbuk National University Hospital	634-18Geumamdong, Deokin-gu, jeonju, jeonbuk Province	063-250-1114
Jeonnam	Mokpo Hankook Hospital	149-2 Sang-dong, Mokpo,	062-270-5500
Gyeonbuk	Andong Hospital	1592-31 Yongsandong, Andong,Gyeongbuk Province	053-821-1101
Gyeonnam	Masan Samsung Hospital	50 Hapseong2dong, hoewon-gu,Masan,Gyeongnam Province	055-298-1100
Jeju	Halla Hospital	1963-2 Yeondong Jeju, Jeju province	064-742-9221