HKU-Shenzhen Hospital Case Study

Step 1 – The Initial Enquiry

The patient first contacted us through WhatsApp while staying in Hong Kong. He explained that he had injured his shoulder, already had a referral letter, and wanted to arrange an MRI in Shenzhen because private healthcare in Hong Kong was considerably more expensive.

Rather than simply asking where to have an MRI, he wanted to understand the entire process before travelling.

He explained that private medical care in Hong Kong was expensive and wanted to know whether Shenzhen could provide a faster and more affordable solution.

Step 2 – Choosing the Right Hospital and Department

After reviewing his situation, we recommended The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital.

Instead of recommending the International Medical Center immediately, we suggested the General Orthopedic Clinic. For this patient's situation, it offered a much lower consultation fee while still allowing the orthopedic specialist to assess the injury and request an MRI if necessary.

Choosing the correct department can significantly reduce medical costs while ensuring that patients follow the hospital's normal clinical pathway.

Step 3 – Preparing the Hospital Registration

To complete the registration, we only needed the patient's passport information and a mobile phone number capable of receiving SMS verification codes. This information was used only for hospital registration.

What We Needed

• Passport information
• Mobile phone number
• SMS verification code
• Preferred hospital department
• Preferred appointment time

Step 4 – Appointment Confirmed

After completing the registration process, the appointment was confirmed before the patient travelled to Shenzhen.

Step 5 – Explaining the Costs

One of the patient's biggest concerns was the total cost. Before confirming the appointment, we explained exactly what he would pay and when each payment would be made.

The consultation fee and the MRI fee are separate. The orthopedic specialist first evaluates the patient. If an MRI is required, the doctor issues the examination request and the MRI is paid directly to the hospital.

Compared with many private hospitals in Hong Kong, the expected medical cost was considerably lower.

Step 6 – Hospital Appointment Successfully Arranged

Once everything had been confirmed, we sent the patient all appointment information, including the hospital, department, appointment time, and payment instructions.

Patient Feedback

After receiving the appointment confirmation, the patient replied immediately.

“Perfect. You saved me. Really thanks a lot for everything.”

Why We Published This Case

Many international patients are unfamiliar with the Chinese healthcare system and often do not know where to begin. Instead of describing the process only in theory, we wanted to show a real example of how hospital navigation works in practice.

To protect patient privacy, personal information has been removed or blurred. Medical decisions were made entirely by licensed physicians at HKU-Shenzhen Hospital. Chinese Medical Navigator provided only non-clinical assistance, including communication, appointment guidance and practical hospital navigation.

What This Case Demonstrates

• International patients can register using a passport.
• Choosing the correct department may reduce consultation costs.
• Hospital registration is often easier with preparation.
• Patients pay the hospital directly for medical services.
• Medical decisions are made by licensed doctors.
• Hospital navigation support can reduce confusion before travelling.

Need Similar Help?

Chinese Medical Navigator helps international patients understand and navigate the Chinese healthcare system.

• Hospital appointment guidance
• Medical translation
• Preparing medical records
• MRI and CT navigation
• Hospital accompaniment
• Travel planning for medical visits

Privacy Notice: This case is shared with the patient's permission. Personal information has been removed or blurred. Medical decisions were made entirely by licensed physicians at the treating hospital.