Hello, I am Yamaguchi Naoe, a Japanese coordinator at the International Healthcare Center. My roles include providing interpretation between physicians and patients as well as translating and reviewing diverse documents related to patient care and PR. I try to be in the foreign patients’ shoe and carefully attend to linguistic and cultural differences. Having worked as a coordinator for 11 years, I have met a number of Japanese patients and I would like to introduce a story of a Japanese couple who gave birth at Asan Medical Center (AMC).
Sometimes a coordinator, sometimes a family member
Mr. Usui was an expatriate working in South Korea. When he learned that his wife was pregnant, the couple came to AMC after looking for a hospital where language support for Japanese patients was available and safe delivery could be achieved. However, the joy of pregnancy did not last long because the congenital anomaly test revealed abnormal findings. I was heartbroken and worried when I had to deliver the message to the mother because I, too, had the experience of delivering a baby.
Mr. Usui and his wife came back for an additional medical consultation to determine whether or not to go for more advanced examination. I was there to do my best in delivering the professor’s intent as accurately as possible and, again, delivering back worries and concerns that Mr. Usui and his wife had regarding their situation. After the consultation was over, Mr. Usui and his wife checked with me to confirm that they have understood everything well and eventually decided to proceed with the advanced examination.
Amniocentesis (amniotic fluid test) was conducted the very next day. Looking at the small embryo in the mother’s womb displayed on a monitor, I had hoped with all my heart that there would be no problem. As the mother seemed uneasy during the examination, I delivered each and every word of the medical personnel to put her at ease. Fortunately, the result released one week after the examination said that no issue was found. I was so happy and thankful to deliver this news to Mr. Usui and his wife as if I was the one waiting for the news.
Then, it soon came the time for induced delivery. I was in the delivery room, interpreting the messages of the medical personnel, and at times also providing support and encouragement for the mother like a family member. Shortly afterwards, the baby came out crying out loud. Mr. Usui and his wife were holding their healthy-born baby in their arms, and I could not help but feel happy and overwhelmed looking at the couple. When they thanked me in tears on their way to the waiting room, I thanked them back. The pleasure was absolutely mine and the experience was rewarding because I could be there at the moment of birth and be a little bit of help as a coordinator.
Mr. Usui and his wife went back to Japan one year after giving birth to their child and sent me a letter of thanks. “We were so fortunate to have given birth to our child at AMC. It became one of our wonderful memories. Thank you.” I also wished happiness and health for the family of Mr. Usui.
ありがとう (Thank You) AMC!
Most of the Japanese patients who visit AMC do so because AMC was recommended by their Korean friends. I feel proud when I hear that people were told to ‘go to the best hospital in South Korea,’ and that was AMC. When I look back, I did have heartbreaking memories of seeing my patients pass away but there were more joyful and heartful moments indeed. Through this, I was reminded of how rewarded and proud I feel, once again, of the work I do. ありがとう (Thank you.) AMC!
※ ‘Thank U, AMC’ features stories told by the members of the International Healthcare Center about memorable international patients.