There are lots of different types of medical care clinic facilities. Here are some things to think about.
Patients that need healthcare usually go to one of a variety of medical care clinic facilities. The type of clinic that they choose will depend on several factors including what's available in their locale,
what type of insurance they have, what time of day or night it is and what their medical need is. Some of the types include private practices where several doctors band together to form a clinic, urgent care facilities, free clinics, women's healthcare, immunization sites and the emergency ward of a hospital. Here are some things to think about:
- Private practices: There are small and large private practices that have multiple healthcare providers under one roof. They may all focus on pediatrics, all be alternative, holistic providers or be part of a large, well known treatment facility such as the Mayo Clinic that have multiple types of specialists. The benefits of these groups include that if one physician is unavailable, there will be another one as a backup. It's also a way to have a network that works together in order to provide more seamless healthcare. These doctors that are banded together can consult each other, recommend one another or get laboratory results right away, if necessary.
-Urgent care clinics: Unlike traditional hospital emergency rooms, these facilities are smaller and usually have much shorter waits to see a physician. If a person became ill but didn't have an appointment, he or she could simply walk in to one of these sites and be treated for his or her malady. Not only are emergencies handled here, but sports physicals, lab tests and more can be done.
- Free options: In many regions, there are free services available to low income individuals. These may be funded by the county health department or other public agencies.
- Women's healthcare: There are some healthcare options that are geared toward well-woman procedures. These may include birth control, pap tests, mammograms, lab work and general examinations. Some may include prenatal care and obstetrics. Many women prefer this type of option as it feels like a supportive network rather than simply being a doctor appointment.
- Immunizations: Getting children immunized is an important part of keeping them well. Schools and daycare centers require an immunization record in order to admit a child into daycare or school. If a child isn't up-to-date on his or her shots, he or she may be excluded until the immunizations are made current. Some individuals opt to not have their kids vaccinated and must sign waivers in order to get around this regulation.
- Hospital emergency ward: Going to the emergency room of a hospital can work in a pinch. In fact, in case of a dire situation such as a car accident or heart attack, this may be the best bet. For those that aren't extremely sick or injured, there is likely to be a very long wait to see a doc.
The type of medical care clinic that is chosen will depend on a variety of factors. Depending on the town or city a person is in, there should be an option right for him or her.
