Shanghai Night Clinic Becomes a New Choice for "Office Workers" to Seek Medical Treatment, Summer Medical Experience Series ② High Temperature Season Off peak Visits Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital | Outpatient | Off peak Visits

After entering the hot summer season in Shencheng, the temperature is rising step by step, and various skin diseases are at a high incidence in summer. It is also the season for winter diseases to be cured in summer. However, many office workers cannot spare time during the day. After work, "checking in" at night clinics to seek medical treatment has become a choice. Jiefang Daily's Shangguan News reporter recently learned that some medical institutions in Shanghai have opened night clinics during the summer, which are highly favored by residents. At 19:00 on Wednesday evening, the reporter came to Jiading District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital to have a look at the night clinic.

Why open night clinics

Jiading District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine is located in the old city of Jiading. There are many residents nearby. Since May this year, the hospital has opened an outpatient clinic every night from 17:30 to 20:30, covering seven departments, including ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, acupuncture and moxibustion, massage, dermatology, gynecology, and internal medicine of traditional Chinese medicine, to provide services for patients in need. Vice President Jin Weiguo told reporters that after preliminary research, the hospital found that office workers and children do not have time to seek medical treatment during the day on weekdays. As the weather turns hot, the number of patients in the hospital drops sharply in the afternoon. Extending the outpatient time to the evening can better meet the actual needs of patients.

At 7 pm, as night fell, there was a constant stream of people in the outpatient hall of Jiading District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and there were always three to five people queuing up at the registration and toll booth. "At first, not many people knew about it, with an average of 30-40 people per day in the night clinic. Now, with the increasing reputation, there are hundreds of people coming to inquire every day," said the person in charge of the clinic. In order to save operating costs for the hospital, the night clinic departments are relatively concentrated in the same area and floor, reducing patient commuting and providing more recognizable services.

The main target audience of night clinics are office workers and children. Miss Hu, who was in her early 20s, continued to cough after she got COVID-19. She came to the night clinic to report to the internal medicine department of traditional Chinese medicine. "I was introduced by my colleague, and I didn't want to ask for leave all the time even when I was busy working in the daytime. I came to see her after work, and I hope to recuperate, hoping to improve her symptoms." For Miss Hu, the night clinic waiting is short and saves time, which is also a great advantage.

Which services are popular

After conducting research, all night outpatient departments have been established with precision. Seven departments are very popular during the day, and there are also many people at night. Before the dermatology clinic, a young mother took her son to see dermatitis and eczema. She frankly said, "It's really hot during the day, and it's much more comfortable to see a doctor on the way after dinner!" Deputy Chief Physician Liu Jie, who is in charge of the dermatology department, told reporters, "Patients generally have a good response to the night clinic and feel very convenient. The number of people is the highest from 18:30 to 19:30 every night after dinner, and more than 30 people can be seen in one night. When it comes to the disease spectrum, there is a high incidence of skin diseases in summer, and those who come for consultation are mainly various types of eczema, allergies, insect bites, etc."

In the "dog days", the treatment of winter diseases in summer is the characteristic of Jiading District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The acupuncture and moxibustion Department and Massage Department of the night clinic become "fragrant cakes". Two departments are located in the same centralized area, and various traditional Chinese medicine elements come towards you as you enter the consultation area. Miss Zhou, who suffered from cervical vertebra discomfort, came for a consultation. This was her third "clocking in" night clinic

In Dr. Ding Jinlei's consulting room of the acupuncture and moxibustion Department, many of them are old patients. In the comprehensive treatment area of traditional Chinese medicine, nurse Tao Lei told reporters that there are always around 10 patients coming every night to apply and receive targeted medication, mainly for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.

How to improve supporting services

Cooperate with night clinics and timely follow up on relevant measures taken by Jiading District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. Jin Weiguo candidly stated that when the new service was first launched, due to the need to occupy doctors' spare time and the pressure to promote it, the hospital adjusted the daily afternoon doctor schedule accordingly, and tilted the night clinic in terms of performance to alleviate the concerns of doctors. Liu Jie bluntly stated that scheduling a night clinic once a week does indeed reduce the time spent with family. Since the clinic was opened overnight, it has been popular among patients, proving that the service is indeed valuable.

At 20:00 in the evening, the antique hospital building is particularly elegant in the night. The large screen inside the hospital flashes "Night Outpatient Service Department and Time", and patients who drive for consultations gradually enter... Enjoy the same outpatient service as during the day. The hospital also provides traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, examination and testing services. After 15 minutes of consultation in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Ms. Hu goes to the pharmacy to prepare traditional Chinese medicine, and the entire process does not exceed 20 minutes. "Parking in the evening is more convenient and very friendly to office workers. I also want to recommend such convenient services to friends!" It is reported that the Jiading District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital will open night clinics throughout the summer, and whether to open them after October will be adjusted according to the actual situation.

In addition to Jiading District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, the reporter learned that several medical institutions in Shencheng, including Fudan University Affiliated Pediatric Hospital, have opened night clinics. Some medical institutions are also coordinating and promoting to provide better quality diagnosis and treatment services for patients in the summer.