Medical Check Up Pre-Appointment Tasks

Every year I go for a preventative medical check up. This service is one I'm thankful is provided for free or at a low cost with health insurance.

This year we have a different type of insurance and I had to make a reservation with a medical center. With the national insurance, most local clinics provide basic checks although it might be necessary to go to multiple clinics for different tests.

I was surprised that the online reservation was done at least a few months before an available time. So I'm going for my appointment during the week between Christmas and the New Year. Convenient because work has slowed down, but inconvenient because there are extra New Year things to think about.

Now that it's happening soon, I finally sat down to look at all the paperwork that was sent in the mail.

It has been overwhelming because all of this is done in Japanese, and because of the number of extra tasks I need to do before going in. It took me around four hours to read paperwork and register my forms online. I'm also stressed out because I hate doing these kinds of things. Who doesn't?

Here are a few things that have changed since the last check up. Part Coronavirus prevention measures and part the type of medical facility I'm guessing.

The agreement to follow Coronavirus prevention measures, including a checklist to confirm you don't have any symptoms that would cause issues for anyone at the medical facility.

We're used to the masks, the hand sanitizer, and the temperature checks by now. This form said the appointment would be canceled if I had any symptoms on that day or the weeks leading up to it. This includes close contact with anyone who has been overseas or to a large gathering recently.

The online medical surveys instead of paperwork when you arrive to the clinic are a first for me. I think this is good as it reduces time in the clinic and the data is all digital, available to staff before the appointment. I filled out a few forms after registering via a QR code. (For those without access to the internet, paper forms can still be requested on the day of the appointment.)

I have done the take home poop test several times before, but this time, the pee test is also done at home. As you can see in the photo above, I'll need to make a paper box and bring in my sample in the little bottle. This is literally the same thing you can buy to put soy sauce in for lunch boxes, which is kinda hilarious.

In addition there is some paperwork explaining that we shouldn't eat before the appointment, what to wear to keep things going smoothly, etc. and a map of the location. That's another thing that's different - one location for so many tests! This one is at a hotel, so I think they are hosting the mobile medical trailers as hotel business is not so great these days.

After this appointment I'm planning on an "alone date" at a nearby restaurant. I'll be relieved when it's over.