China Hospital DirectoryA student's guide on the Shanghai government English site, dated 29 October 2024, says that in larger hospitals, you may need to wait for your number to be called, which will be displayed on an electronic board.
Before the queue
A guide on the Shanghai government English site, updated 26 May 2026, says most hospitals have appointment booking services, through the hotline or online platforms.
The Shanghai guide says patients who want to see an experienced doctor are suggested to arrive at the hospital earlier to wait in line.
Registration and triage
The Shanghai guide says that after arriving at the hospital, the patient should first register (guahao) at the admission desk and pay an admission fee.
A handbook on the Shanghai government English site, dated 17 November 2025, says to go to the nursing station in the relevant department for triage.
The handbook says to wait for your number to be called, either on screen or via announcements.
The student's guide says that after registration, you proceed to the appropriate department for your consultation.
The Shanghai guide says the patient will enter a consultation room to see the doctor when his or her number is called.
Tests and results
The Shanghai guide says the patient could go to the section where the examinations are carried out with a receipt after paying for the examination.
The Shanghai guide says that if the examination results come out quickly, the patient can consult the original doctor without waiting in line.
The Shanghai guide says that if the results come out another day, the patient has to register again.
Payment and the pharmacy
The Shanghai guide says that after the doctor gives a prescription (chufang), the patient needs to pay the fee and then can get the medicine from the hospital pharmacy (yaofang).
The Shanghai guide says a hospital's pharmacy is usually located at the lobby of the out-patient building.
Help at the hospital
A City News Service article on the Shanghai government English site, dated 19 August 2025, says that if it's your first time at a public hospital, or you need guidance, a patient service desk located in the hospital lobby is available for assistance.
Questions people ask
What does the Shanghai guide suggest for patients who want to see an experienced doctor?
The Shanghai guide says patients who want to see an experienced doctor are suggested to arrive at the hospital earlier to wait in line.
How does the handbook say numbers are called?
The handbook says to wait for your number to be called, either on screen or via announcements.
Where does the City News Service article say a first-time patient can get guidance?
The City News Service article says that if it's your first time at a public hospital, or you need guidance, a patient service desk located in the hospital lobby is available for assistance.
Sources
- How to see a doctor at a local hospital (Shanghai government English site), read 26 October 2026
- Public vs private hospitals, tips and differences (Shanghai government English site), read 26 October 2026
- An essential handbook for international students seeking medical care in Shanghai (Shanghai government English site), read 26 October 2026
- A student's guide to public hospitals in China (Shanghai government English site), read 26 October 2026
Each source above was read on the date shown. This page is an unofficial summary of general administrative information. It is not published by the bodies named above, and it is not medical advice. If it differs from the official pages, the official pages prevail, and figures and services may change after the check date.
Entry facts come from the hospital’s own pages as read on the dates shown in each source note; this unofficial summary is not medical advice, and the hospital’s current published information prevails. Medical and legal notice