The term clinic is used to refer to healthcare facilities that offer a variety of medical services. Clinics are usually smaller than hospitals and often have specialized services that focus on specific diseases or parts of the body. They are also able to accommodate patients who are in need of outpatient care. While there are many different types of clinics, they can be broadly categorized into primary healthcare facilities and specialty clinics.
Clinics are essential components of the healthcare ecosystem, addressing diverse health needs and providing advanced treatment options for complex conditions. These healthcare facilities can be found in different settings, from stand-alone practices to hospitals and shopping centers. Some of these facilities also provide mental health services. Here are some of the most common types of clinics:
A primary care clinic is a healthcare facility that provides non-emergency outpatient medical care to people in the community. These clinics are usually run by doctors who have training in a particular area of medicine. In some cases, they are affiliated with a hospital or university.
These facilities may be open during the evenings or on weekends to accommodate working professionals and busy families. They also tend to have shorter wait times than a doctor’s office or other healthcare center. These facilities may also accept patients without health insurance, making them a popular choice for those who are self-employed or have no health coverage.
Retail clinics are health centers located within retail locations, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and department stores. You may have seen these types of clinics referred to as MinuteClinic(r) in CVS pharmacies and select Target stores, or CVS HealthHub in certain CVS stores. These healthcare facilities are typically staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are certified to treat non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
Urgent care clinics are similar to retail clinics, but they are better equipped to handle a wider range of medical issues and injuries. They can splint broken bones and cast broken limbs, as well as treat respiratory ailments like bronchitis. They can even handle minor surgical procedures.
Specialist clinics are specialized healthcare facilities that provide advanced diagnosis and treatment for specific diseases or areas of the body. Some of these include sexual health, mental health and addiction recovery clinics. These facilities also usually have highly trained staff that can support patients who are dealing with chronic or serious diseases. In addition, some of these specialist clinics are part of larger healthcare systems and universities, allowing them to conduct research into new treatments and cures.