Different Types of Medical Clinics

When someone says “medical clinic” it may conjure up a different image in different people’s imaginations. That is because there is more than one model of a medical clinic. Some examples are an extension of a hospital, such as the Mayo Clinic, while others may be an urgent care facility or a free clinic. These three models have vast differences as well as similarities. Here are some things to think about:
- Mayo Clinic: The Mayo is a renowned health care facility known around the world. It was started by Dr. Mayo and his two sons and has developed a stellar reputation over time. This facility has medical offices in Rochester, MN, Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ and Florida. The level of care is of such high quality that patients often travel to one of the locations from around the world. Not only are the doctors, nurses and all staff members high quality professionals, but the interconnectedness of all departments increases efficiency and healing probability. Where a regular doctor would send his or her patient across town to have lab tests or get an x-ray, the Mayo physicians make a call to the lab down the hall to have the test done pronto. A regular doc and his or her patient may be waiting for days to obtain test results. The lobby and exam rooms in Mayo sites are top rate and look more like a topnotch resort than a hospital. Grand pianos are played in common areas and original artwork hangs on the walls.
- Urgent Cares: Instead of going to the hospital emergency room or making an appointment with the family doc, many patients are now choosing the Urgent Care model of healthcare. These are free standing buildings or a series of suites within a strip mall or office building. They offer treatment without appointments and don’t have the hours-long waits that emergency rooms often have. These venues aren’t just for urgent problems either. Patients can come here for exams and checkups, as well.
- Free clinic: Free clinics have been a part of America’s healthcare network for ages. Sometimes they are general and other times geared for a certain health need or segment of the population. Some examples include birth control dispensaries located near colleges to keep the students from experiencing unplanned pregnancies or those sites that offer immunizations to children for free or at a reduced cost. Many sites have options of low costs, sliding fees or completely free. These locales are often of high caliber with warm hearted and competent doctors, nurses and staff. They are a boon to communities because they keep everyone healthier. People of limited income shouldn’t suffer because they don’t have health insurance or money to pay the doc. The world would be a better place if medical services were available across the board without regard to income.
The model of the medical clinic comes in an array of styles. The similarity that these facilities share is that they are all places of healing. MDs, DOs, nurse practitioners and all staff members working in the field of medicine are there to help people get well.