Organized medical documentation ensures smooth communication and safer care. Here's how to prepare your medical records for Korean surgery.

Essential Documents

Medical History

  • Previous surgeries list
  • Current medications
  • Known allergies
  • Chronic conditions
  • Family medical history (relevant)

Pre-Surgery Tests

  • Recent blood work
  • EKG if requested
  • Chest X-ray if needed
  • Any specialist reports

Documentation Format

Physical Folder

  • Clear plastic folder
  • Labeled sections
  • Original + copies
  • Easy to hand over

Digital Backup

  • Scanned copies
  • Cloud storage access
  • Email to yourself
  • Phone storage

Translation Considerations

What Needs Translation

  • Complex medical conditions
  • Previous surgical reports
  • Allergy details

What Doesn't

  • Standard blood tests (universal format)
  • Basic medication names
  • Simple medical terms

Creating Your Summary

One-Page Overview

  • Name, DOB, blood type
  • Allergies highlighted
  • Current medications with doses
  • Previous surgeries with dates
  • Relevant conditions
  • Emergency contact

During Your Trip

Collect

  • Surgery report
  • Medication prescriptions
  • Post-op care instructions
  • Follow-up schedule
  • Before/after photos from clinic

Store Safely

  • Keep copies separate from originals
  • Back up to cloud
  • Email copies to yourself

After Returning Home

  • Organize Korean medical records
  • Share with home doctor
  • Keep for future reference
  • Store securely long-term