What is the Difference Between a Medical Center and a Clinic?

With health care facilities cropping up left, right, and center, it may be difficult to determine where you need to go for certain services. Generally, clinics offer primary healthcare services, with a few specializing in certain medical areas. Medical centers are your best bet if you are looking for emergency medical services or treatment for a more pressing problem. Where you choose to seek medical help determines whether you will get adequate care or get referred to a larger facility. That is why we have compiled key differences that set apart Partida Corona Medical Center from a clinic. Keep reading to find out more.

What is a Medical Center?

Medical centers are healthcare facilities that offer medical and uncomplicated surgical services. They are focusing on outpatient care due to the limited nature of their resources. While some require that you book an appointment beforehand, most medical centers allow walk-in patients. Technology advancement has also made things easier with telehealth services that allow you to seek medical consultation from home.

Medical centers usually offer the following services:

• Medical attention for the sick
• Preventative healthcare
• Routine medical care

A medical center is quite similar to a hospital in terms of the healthcare workers present. If you are looking to see any of the following professionals, a medical center will help you out:

• Nurse practitioners
• Primary care doctors
• Registered nurses
• Mental health professionals
• Specialized doctors and more

What is a Clinic?

A clinic is essentially a primary care facility. As such, you are likely to encounter general practitioners who can offer any of the following health care services:

• Laboratory testing
• Mild symptoms’ treatment such as sore throat, cough, headache, and more
• High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes screening
• Treatment for minor cuts, burns, or fractures

While clinics may be cheaper than medical centers, serious conditions may be referred to hospitals or more specialized facilities. Since most clinics do not have a pharmacy, you may be required to take your prescription to a pharmacy for filling.

Reasons Why You Should Visit a Medical Center

Medical centers are the true definition of convenience. Whether you are looking to save on ER costs or your doctor cannot see you on the weekend, you are sure to get the help you need. Here are some of the reasons why you should seek medical help from a medical center:

Cost-Effective

If you have a life-threatening condition, it is prudent to call an ambulance or head to the ER as soon as possible. However, if you need treatment for issues like minor injuries, sprained ankle, or the flu, you do not have to go to the hospital. Medical centers do not charge additional fees for urgent care and will get you sorted in no time.

Convenience

Medical centers rarely have long queues or crowded waiting rooms. You do not necessarily need to book an appointment several days in advance. This means you can simply walk into one and get the help you need. You can almost get attended to in less than an hour.

This does not mean that you get rushed or inadequate attention, far from it. The physicians ensure that all your problems are address conclusively. As such, you can rest assured that you will get the same quality of healthcare available in a larger hospital. What’s more? You can use your health insurance to seek treatment.

Qualified Physicians

The physicians at medical centers are both highly trained and experienced in offering various forms of medical treatment. You need not worry about your problems being overlooked or trivialized. With no queues, you can have quality time with the professional physician and have all your issues confronted.

Progressive Medical Care

Medical centers are relatively small compare to hospitals. This provides room for practice-based research and the use of new and improved treatments to address your health problems. The best part is that you do not have to go to different facilities for different issues. The physicians are mostly well train in handling pediatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine, obstetrics, and more.

Preventative Care

You do not always have to be unwell to see the doctor. Medical centers are excellent facilities to get your annual medical exam or immunizations for you and your child. They also offer screening services for some cancer types, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions.

While clinics offer the most basic form of healthcare, medical centers provide diverse services with addiction recovery, mental health services, and sexual health. Instead of using a significant amount of time and money to go to a hospital, you can get the same medical treatment from a medical center near you. You can always call beforehand if you are unsure of the services they provide.