Most of us are aware of healthcare clinics and have been to one. It is a healthcare facility that offers outpatient care but are you aware of the different types of clinics and what they do? While some are stand-alone clinics, many others are associated with a university or a hospital. You could also find a clinic in a retail store today. Every type of clinic offers different services and can range from basic healthcare to specialized care. Here are the different types of health clinics to help you find the right care.
Primary care
The most common type of clinic is the one that focuses on primary care. It covers a range of preventive healthcare services like laboratory testing, screening for conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, treatment for common colds, annual physicals, and more. The medical professionals practice general medicine in the field, and some also offer services at no cost or a very low cost. That said, even doctor dispensing has become common in primary healthcare. It is a growing practice and also provides patients with higher prescription compliance.
Specialized clinics
Then there are specialized clinics where services are offered in a specific medical area. The medical professionals have training and expertise in the area, including dermatology, cardiology, gastroenterology, dentistry, oncology, neurology, nutrition, and more. These clinics are usually associated with a hospital group or a healthcare system but can also be stand-alone clinics. If anyone requires special care, it is advisable to head to the specialized clinics.
Mental health clinics
If you need help with your mental health, you must head to a mental health clinic. They will provide you with the right treatment you require. The professionals who work at the clinic can help diagnose and treat various types of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. You could also be connected with mental health experts through healthcare providers or social workers. They diagnose the condition, offer outpatient counseling, prescribe medications, and also offer support services. Modern clinics can help their patients and their own clinics by using EHR for certified behavioral health clinics, to help both patients and staff keep track of records and treatments in an easily accessible fashion.
Dialysis clinics
When a clinic specifically provides services to people with kidney failure, it is known as a dialysis clinic. It is a procedure that helps filter the waste and other harmful substances from the body. There are many people who prefer to have dialysis at home, but there are many benefits of going to a dialysis clinic. The procedure will be supervised by experts, and you will not have to keep the equipment in the home.
Sexual health treatment
A sexual health clinic, as the name suggests, is a clinic that focuses on the reproductive and sexual health of all men and women. You can head to the clinic for access to contraceptive methods, pelvic examinations, screening and treatment for infections, pregnancy testing, vaccinations for hepatitis B or HPV, prenatal exams, screening for cancers, vasectomy, and more. If you are looking for a specific service, you need to contact the clinic first to find out if they offer the service or not.
Addiction services
Addiction services provide outpatient services to the ones who are recovering from a substance use disorder. The clinics are suitable for people who have a proper living environment, reliable transportation, and a social support network. The main focus of the clinic is group counseling, while the other services include alcohol and drug education, help with the expansion of the support network, and treatment of other mental health conditions.
Community health services
A community health center is a clinic that is community-directed and is aimed at serving the communities that may not have access to healthcare. The center runs on federal funding and offers services in an area or community which has been classified as medically underserved. Besides primary care, there are other services usually integrated into the community health center, including mental healthcare, counseling for substance use disorders, and dental care.
Rural health clinics
All rural health clinics are to serve people who have Medicaid, Medicare, and the people who own private insurance. The idea of the program is to provide better access to healthcare in rural and underserved regions. Currently, there are close to 4,500 rural health clinics across the United States, and they mainly provide primary care. Even if the clinic does not offer a certain service, the staff might help and arrange for you to receive the required care at a nearby hospital.
Mobile clinics
When you see a customized vehicle traveling across different areas for the purpose of providing medical services, it is known as a mobile clinic. There are more than 2,000 mobile clinics in the U.S. They provide vital and quick services to the communities that have barriers to healthcare access like no health insurance or no reliable transportation.
These are the basic types of healthcare clinics open across the U.S., and before you head to one, always identify the symptoms and the type of care you are seeking. This will help make sure you are at the right place and under the right care.
