Tips for Managing Follow-up Visits and Test Results in China
A practical guide for international patients navigating hospital follow-ups
For most visitors and expats in China, the first hospital visit may feel like an accomplishment — but what comes after often causes the most confusion.
Follow-up visits, test results, and ongoing care all require active management, as hospitals in China generally do not coordinate these steps automatically.
This guide explains how to stay on top of your follow-up appointments and medical reports with confidence and ease.
Learn about outpatient care process and get help with medical navigation.
1. Understanding How Follow-ups Work in China
In many Chinese hospitals, each consultation is treated as a separate visit.
That means you'll need to book a new appointment — even if you're seeing the same doctor again.
Key points to remember:
- Follow-ups are not automatically scheduled unless you do so at the end of your current visit.
- You may need to register again and pay a new consultation fee.
- Doctors typically write notes or recommend a return visit within a set number of days.
💡 Tip: Take a photo of your doctor's note or recommendation slip before leaving — it usually includes the department, doctor name, and suggested follow-up window.
2. Retrieving and Managing Test Results
Unlike some Western healthcare systems, test results in China are often not sent digitally or automatically.
Patients are responsible for collecting them — sometimes from different counters or buildings.
What to expect:
- Blood and lab results may be ready within hours or by the next day.
- Imaging reports (X-ray, CT, MRI) are typically available within 24–48 hours.
- Results can often be retrieved via hospital app, self-service kiosk, or paper pickup counter.
Practical steps:
- 1.Ask the doctor or nurse exactly when and where results will be ready.
- 2.Check the hospital's WeChat mini-program — many now allow PDF downloads of results.
- 3.Keep paper reports organized — you may need them for insurance or referral purposes.
- 4.If unsure, visit the same department or outpatient desk and show your registration slip.
3. Scheduling Your Next Visit or Referral
If your results indicate the need for further evaluation or treatment, you'll likely need to:
Return to same doctor:
Visit the same doctor for review of your results
Related specialty:
Register under a related specialty department
Some hospitals allow you to book directly at the checkout counter after your first consultation, which saves time.
Private and international hospitals can often arrange this automatically for you.
For public hospitals: It's best to use the hospital's WeChat mini-program or online booking system as soon as you have your results. Popular specialists fill up quickly.
4. Managing Everything in English
While many large hospitals have bilingual options, navigating follow-ups and results can still be tricky if you don't read Chinese.
Here are some options to make the process easier:
- Ask for the hospital's International Department — they usually have English-speaking staff.
- Use translation apps to scan test results or hospital notices.
- Consider a medical concierge or translation navigation service to handle scheduling, payments, and communication.
✨ This support can save hours — especially if multiple departments or hospitals are involved.
5. Staying Organized for Insurance and Continuity of Care
Keep digital and paper copies of all:
- Registration slips
- Test results and imaging reports
- Prescription lists
- Doctor's notes or follow-up instructions
Having your documents ready ensures smooth reimbursement with international insurance — and helps future doctors understand your case clearly.
Pro tip: Use a single folder or cloud drive (with date + hospital name) to store all your records. It saves both time and translation trouble later.
🌟 Smooth Follow-up, Better Care
Navigating hospital systems in China gets easier once you understand how follow-ups and results work.
Stay proactive, double-check result availability, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed.
With a bit of preparation — and the right guidance — your healthcare journey in China can be efficient, clear, and stress-free.
✨ If you'd like personalized support for follow-ups, test translations, or hospital coordination, ChinaMed Waypoint's concierge team is here to help.
Need Help Managing Your Healthcare in China?
Our team provides comprehensive support for follow-up appointments, test result interpretation, and coordination across multiple hospitals — ensuring your care journey is seamless.