insurance

Outpatient / Outpatient Care

外来 (gairai)

Outpatient care refers to medical services received without being admitted to a hospital overnight. It includes doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, minor procedures, injections, and follow-up visits. The patient arrives, receives care, and returns home the same day. Most routine medical care in Japan, including specialist visits and scheduled examinations, is provided through outpatient departments or standalone clinics.

The majority of medical visits in Japan are conducted at outpatient (外来) departments, which have separate reception, waiting, and billing areas from inpatient hospital wards.

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Outpatient / Outpatient Care
Japanese (日本語)	外来
Chinese (中文)	门诊
Korean (한국어)	외래 진료
Portuguese	Consulta ambulatorial
Spanish	Consulta ambulatoria / Paciente externo
Filipino	Outpatient
Thai	ผู้ป่วยนอก
Vietnamese	Khám ngoại trú
Romanization	gairai

Related terms

• Health Insurance Card 健康保険証
• Copayment / Patient Cost-Sharing 自己負担
• Referral Letter / Shokaijo 紹介状
• Inpatient / Hospitalization 入院
• Prescription 処方箋

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