Doctor’s appointment a signal of high quality care
IN a sign that local health standards are in line with developed countries, Steven Robert Lindheim, an in vitro fertilization doctor from the United States, has begun work at Shanghai’s Renji Hospital in a full time capacity.
He is the first foreign IVF doctor to work full time in the city.
Lindheim said he was surprised by the large number of patients, and wanted to learn how the hospital can work so efficiently.
“I will also bring medical care and service from the United States to the city,” he said.
“I have prepared many materials for Chinese patients to better understand IVF treatment. I have also started to learn some Mandarin.”
Officials from Renji Hospital said having foreign doctors can give local medical staff and officials an opportunity to learn from Western countries.
“Our health skills are almost the same with Western doctors, but the service lags behind,” said Dr Sun Yun, a hospital official. “Foreign doctors are better at communicating with patients and give health education.”
She said Dr Lindheim usually e-mails patients before their first visit to gather information and medical records. He can then promptly provide explanations and treatment.
The registration fee for his outpatient service is 800 yuan (US$115). The hospital offered 295,000 outpatient services last year including to some 150 foreign couples from more than 30 countries.
According to Shanghai Health Supervision Agency, there are 302 foreign doctors and 137 doctors from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan with valid working permits in the city.
Foreign doctors come from 37 countries with the United States, South Korea and Japan most represented.
There are 139 doctors from foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan working in Changning District, which is the largest number among all districts in Shanghai.