[Last modified: October, 12 2024 05:40 PM]
During my visit to University College Hospital near UCL, I could clearly feel the differences between Western and Chinese medical systems. Inside the hospital, there’s a coffee corner where visitors and patients can enjoy coffee or snacks. This relaxed atmosphere is different from hospitals in China. In Chinese hospitals, due to the large number of patients, the halls are always crowded. Patients and their families anxiously wait for medical attention, creating a tense and busy environment. These differences are not only reflected in the layout of the physical space, but also in different cultural approaches to healthcare.
Unlike Chinese hospitals, which have a clear registration process, this UK hospital does not have a prominent registration area. In China, after arriving at the hospital, patients go to the front desk to register according to their condition, choosing between general or specialist consultations. There are also self-service machines at the entrance where patients can register and navigate using a touchscreen or check in with pre-booked appointments made online. Meanwhile, the department categorization in UK hospitals isn’t obvious in the physical layout; there are fewer signs inside, mainly relying on a few markers pointing to major departments like hematology, oncology and various inpatient wards. I suspect this layout might be due to the way UK hospitals operate, with staff directly guiding patients to where they need to go, rather than patients finding their way on their own.
Because I couldn’t find the different departments, I couldn’t locate the “gynaecology clinic” related to my research topic. This prevented me from focusing on my target group, which was unfortunate. It has made me think about my research methods and the target group. I’m considering whether to change my field site to focus more on clinics where patients go before, they visit the hospital. This comes from my unfamiliarity with the British healthcare system. I guess that patients first get a preliminary diagnosis from their family doctor, who then refers them to specialized clinics as needed, and arranges for hospital visits when necessary. The complexity and hierarchical structure of this process can be hard to navigate for those unfamiliar with the system. Therefore, I need to learn more about the British healthcare system in the future to ensure I can effectively reach and observe the target groups that meet my research needs.