Physician Clinics and Offices

The care that is provided at a physician clinic or office is known as ambulatory care. This healthcare setting offers services to people who do not require inpatient admission. The type of care available greatly depends on the type of physician at the clinic. For example, a primary care provider may offer a wide range of services, including annual physicals, laboratory testing, immunizations, and treatment for minor conditions such as the common cold, flu, high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, and minor injuries. In addition to treating acute illnesses, physician offices often provide preventative care, such as immunizations. Specialized clinics also focus on specific areas, including cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, gynecology, and obstetrics. The specific services offered depend on the conditions relevant to their areas of practice.

Dental Offices

Dental offices provide specialized care focused on the prevention and treatment of dental disease. General dentistry offices offer a variety of services, including comprehensive exams, x-rays, dental cleanings, fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, implants, and preventative care. Some dental offices provide specialized services. An orthodontist office, for example, focuses on dental devices that change the position of teeth. Another common specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery, which involves surgical interventions to correct diseases, injuries, and defects of the jaw and surrounding structures.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Ambulatory surgical centers generally provide same-day surgical care, including preventative and diagnostic procedures. These centers serve as a convenient alternative for patients, offering outpatient surgical services with an emphasis on minimizing costs. Common procedures performed at ambulatory surgical centers include knee arthroscopy, hand/wrist fracture reduction and fixation, carpal tunnel release, colonoscopies, cataract laser surgeries, wound or lesion repairs, biopsies, and various cosmetic surgical procedures.

Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinics

Outpatient rehabilitation clinics allow patients to receive therapy without being admitted to a hospital. The services provided vary by clinic, but commonly include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Patients who receive care from an outpatient rehabilitation clinic generally have conditions that are acute in nature but less medically complex. These clinics work well for patients who need to improve their mobility, stability and overall quality of life. The goal of rehabilitation therapy is typically restorative, helping patients return to their normal daily activities.

Mental Health and Psychiatric Clinics

Mental health clinics provide specialized care for people who need treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders. In these clinics, patients may work with psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, and social workers. Working as a team or individually, they diagnose mental health conditions, provide counseling, prescribe medications, and offer case management and other supportive services.

Attributions

1. Figure 2.5: Lionel R. Lenox Building Outpatient Clinic by Stanford Medical History Center is released under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0