A clinic is a medical facility that provides care to people who are sick. A clinic can range from a small outpatient office to a large hospital. Some are a part of a health-care system or a university, while others operate independently. In addition to providing care, clinics also educate patients about their conditions.
Walk-in clinics are usually free and offer a variety of services that include treatment for minor ailments, screenings and vaccinations. Some even provide basic dental care. They may accept both Medicare and private insurance. They are especially popular with seniors because they don’t require appointments and can be a great option for people who have limited access to health care providers or who are uninsured.
Retail clinics are located in pharmacies, grocery stores and big-box stores and are staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants. They treat minor illnesses and injuries, and they often have evening and weekend hours. They are also open on holidays and offer a wide range of services, including vaccinations.
Community health clinics serve low-income residents in the community, reducing the need for emergency room visits and ambulance services. They also promote healthy lifestyles and preventive care to keep local hospitals from overburdening.
These types of clinics are based on a model similar to a hospital-based health center, which includes medical professionals, nursing staff, and physical and occupational therapy staff. They may also have a social worker or community health advocate on staff to help manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and asthma.
On-site clinics are growing in popularity with employers as an affordable, convenient and convenient way for employees to receive quality healthcare. They add value to an employer’s health plan in the form of improved employee productivity, lower healthcare costs and increased retention.
Employers often choose to have on-site health clinics to support their wellness culture, as well as to reduce presenteeism and absenteeism among workers whose health is compromised by a workplace illness (Caloyeras, Liu, Exum, Broderick, & Mattke, 2014). By offering a range of services that are specific to the needs of their workforce, an employer can improve employee health and wellness, decrease healthcare costs, and help to keep its employees working productively and effectively.
Some on-site clinics are organized as part of an employer’s prepaid health care plans. Typically these are not federally qualified health centers, but they can be a federally certified health center look-alike.
The most important thing to remember when choosing a healthcare provider is to do your research. Ask questions about the doctor’s approach to patient care, and make sure they’re willing to spend time with you. In addition, if you have concerns about a particular medication or drug, ask about the pros and cons of using that product.
When looking for a medical practitioner, make sure they’re licensed and experienced in the field of your concern. If they’re not, they may be practicing in the wrong specialty and don’t have the training to treat your condition. Additionally, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion, particularly if you have a rare disease or a complicated procedure to be done.