Believe it or not some of today’s biggest hospitals started out as clinics. Unlike hospitals, clinics do not admit patients for treatment. While there are specialist clinics, most offer general care to the communities in which they are located. Many clinics are federally funded and offer treatment to people of limited means. There are even a few that offer free care.
Services Offered
Clinics have to be able to deal with a variety of health problems. Some of the health services that can be found in these facilities are:
- Immunizations
- Prenatal and postnatal care
- Basic health checkups
- Treatment of various illnesses
- Writing and filling prescriptions
- Dental care
Some basic medications are provided by a few clinics, sometimes at no charge. Many people who visit clinics have no health insurance so this service is useful.
Type of Clinics
When searching for a clinic it makes sense to find the right one for your needs. There are differences in the way federally funded and private clinics operate. Types of clinics include:
Outpatient facilities which are sometimes run by private physicians.
General practices which offer a wide range of healthcare services.
Free clinics which are also general practices, but patients are not asked to pay a fee.
Specialist clinics which offer services only in a particular field of medicine, such as a pediatrics.
Finding a clinic is not difficult once you know what type you need. There are state-linked directories that offer full listings of clinics along with contact information. Health oriented websites sometimes have search features that allow you to get a full list by typing in your state. Of course, people are more than willing to share positive experiences they have at healthcare facilities. Many people have found clinics based on positive word of mouth.
Funding is sometimes limited and some clinics survive almost solely on donations. Regardless of how they are funded, they are usually able to meet the needs of their patients.