A clinic is a healthcare facility that provides diagnostic and treatment services for patients without needing them to stay in the hospital. It may be attached to a hospital or it can operate independently. There are many different types of clinics that focus on specific medical conditions and treatments.
Typically, large outpatient clinics have general medical practitioners such as doctors and nurses to provide ambulatory care. They are similar to hospitals but do not have the same facilities to accommodate inpatient or long-term care. Some clinics are dedicated to providing care for specific illnesses or conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. These clinics are referred to as specialty clinics.
There are also urgent care clinics to help with injuries and illness that are not life threatening but still require prompt attention. These clinics can handle a variety of issues such as broken bones, minor burns, infections and more. They may have some of the same equipment as a hospital, including X-ray machines and sometimes even surgery equipment.
Other clinics are housed in supermarkets and other retail settings to offer walk-in health care with a nurse or physician assistant as the provider. These clinics are a form of convenience and offer a lower cost than going to a doctor’s office. They often have short wait times, especially if you go during off hours or when the clinic is less busy.
Another type of clinic focuses on sexual health or other specific conditions such as hepatitis C, HIV and fertility issues. These are called specialty clinics and often have specialized doctors with the necessary expertise to provide care.
Some of these clinics are employer-sponsored and are located on the worksite to promote employee health. The goal is to make it easy for employees to get the preventative care they need such as regular checkups that can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. This can help reduce the overall costs of healthcare for an employer as well as avoiding more expensive emergency room visits and hospital stays.
The cost of an on-site clinic can be quite low for employers who partner with a specialist in the field to stand up a facility and establish the processes and systems needed. This partnership model can be a great option for smaller employers who don’t have the budget or space to invest in their own clinic. Employees who have access to an on-site clinic benefit from easier access and scheduling of appointments, shorter wait times and a more meaningful relationship with their provider. This often translates into improved compliance with their health and wellness plans, reducing the risk of unscheduled hospitalizations and other costly emergencies. With a strong clinical team and a culture of caring, on-site clinics can be a win for everyone involved.