Clinic vs. Hospital — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 18, 2024
Clinics typically offer outpatient services and routine care, whereas hospitals provide more comprehensive medical services, including emergency care and surgeries.
Difference Between Clinic and Hospital
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Clinics usually focus on outpatient services, meaning patients receive care without an overnight stay. Whereas hospitals offer both inpatient and outpatient services, accommodating patients who require extended medical supervision or surgery.
Most clinics are specialized, providing targeted health services such as family medicine or dental care. On the other hand, hospitals cover a broader spectrum of medical services, including specialized and emergency care.
Clinics generally have a smaller scope and scale, often resulting in shorter wait times for patients. Conversely, hospitals are equipped to handle more complex medical conditions, which can lead to longer wait times.
The staffing at clinics often includes nurse practitioners, general practitioners, and specialists in particular fields. Hospitals, however, staff a wide range of medical professionals, including specialists, surgeons, and an array of allied health personnel.
Visiting a clinic is usually less expensive than receiving care at a hospital because clinics handle less complex health issues, which require fewer resources.
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Comparison Chart
Services Provided
Outpatient care, routine check-ups
Inpatient and outpatient care, surgeries, emergency services
Type of Care
Primary and some specialized care
Comprehensive, including specialized and emergency care
Scale
Smaller, often single-specialty
Larger, multi-specialty
Typical Staff
General practitioners, nurse practitioners
Wide range of specialists, surgeons, nurses
Cost
Generally lower
Generally higher due to complex treatments
Compare with Definitions
Clinic
May be dedicated to a specific type of medical care.
The dental clinic provides oral health services exclusively.
Hospital
A health facility providing primary, secondary, and tertiary care.
The hospital has a renowned cardiac unit for specialized care.
Clinic
Typically has shorter wait times.
He prefers the clinic because he can get quick service for minor ailments.
Hospital
Offers both short-term and long-term patient care.
He was admitted to the hospital for a multi-day medical evaluation.
Clinic
Often smaller and less equipped than hospitals.
The clinic has two doctors and a nurse.
Hospital
Staff includes a wide variety of medical professionals.
The hospital employs several specialists to cover all patient needs.
Clinic
Specializes in routine and preventive health services.
The community clinic offers vaccinations and health screenings.
Hospital
Equipped for extensive medical procedures and emergencies.
After the accident, she was rushed to the hospital's emergency department.
Clinic
A medical facility for outpatient care.
She visits the local clinic for her regular diabetes check-up.
Hospital
Typically more expensive due to the level of care provided.
Hospital bills can be high, especially for complex treatments.
Clinic
A clinic (or outpatient clinic or ambulatory care clinic) is a health facility that is primarily focused on the care of outpatients. Clinics can be privately operated or publicly managed and funded.
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment with specialized medical and nursing staff and medical equipment. The best-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which typically has an emergency department to treat urgent health problems ranging from fire and accident victims to a sudden illness.
Clinic
A facility, often associated with a hospital or medical school, that is devoted to the diagnosis and care of outpatients.
Hospital
A facility that provides emergency, inpatient, and usually outpatient medical care for sick or injured people.
Clinic
A medical establishment run by several specialists working in cooperation and sharing the same facilities.
Hospital
A facility that provides veterinary care for sick or injured animals.
Clinic
A group session offering counsel or instruction in a particular field or activity
A vocational clinic.
A tennis clinic.
Hospital
Chiefly British A charitable institution, such as an orphanage or a home for the elderly.
Clinic
A seminar or meeting of physicians and medical students in which medical instruction is conducted in the presence of the patient, as at the bedside.
Hospital
A repair shop for specified items
A doll hospital.
Clinic
A place where such instruction occurs.
Hospital
(Archaic) A hospice for travelers or pilgrims.
Clinic
A class or lecture of medical instruction conducted in this manner.
Hospital
A large medical facility, usually in a building with multiple floors, where seriously ill or injured patients are given extensive medical and/or surgical treatment.
Clinic
A medical facility, such as a hospital, especially one for the treatment and diagnosis of outpatients.
Hospital
A building founded for the long-term care of its residents, such as an almshouse. The residents may have no physical ailments, but simply need financial support.
Clinic
A hospital session to diagnose or treat patients.
Hospital
(obsolete) A place of lodging.
Clinic
A school, or class, in which medicine or surgery is taught by examining and treating patients in the presence of the pupils.
Hospital
(obsolete) Hospitable.
Clinic
A group practice of several physicians or other health professionals.
Hospital
A place for shelter or entertainment; an inn.
Clinic
A meeting for the diagnosis of problems, or training, on a particular subject.
A local community group will be holding a legal clinic where low-income residents can consult a lawyer for free.
Hospital
A building in which the sick, injured, or infirm are received and treated; a public or private institution founded for reception and cure, or for the refuge, of persons diseased in body or mind, or disabled, infirm, or dependent, and in which they are treated either at their own expense, or more often by charity in whole or in part; a tent, building, or other place where the sick or wounded of an army cared for.
Clinic
A temporary office arranged on a regular basis to allow politicians to meet their constituents.
Hospital
Hospitable.
Clinic
(wrestling) A series of workouts used to build skills of practitioners regardless of team affiliation.
Hospital
A health facility where patients receive treatment
Clinic
(obsolete) A bed-ridden person
Hospital
A medical institution where sick or injured people are given medical or surgical care
Clinic
(obsolete) Somene who receives baptism on a sickbed.
Clinic
One confined to the bed by sickness.
Clinic
One who receives baptism on a sick bed.
Clinic
A medical facility, often connected with a school or hospital, which treats primarily outpatients.
Clinic
A school, or a session of a school or class, in which medicine or surgery is taught by the examination and treatment of patients in the presence of the pupils.
Clinic
A lesson or series of lessons taught to persons not expert in some activity, in which the errors of the students are pointed out, and remedial actions are suggested.
Clinic
A performance so excellent as to be considered a model for emulation.
Clinic
A medical establishment run by a group of medical specialists
Clinic
Meeting for diagnosis of problems and instruction or remedial work in a particular activity
Clinic
A healthcare facility for outpatient care
Common Curiosities
What kind of medical staff can I find at a clinic?
Clinics typically have general practitioners, nurse practitioners, and sometimes specialists in areas like dermatology or pediatrics.
Are clinics or hospitals better for emergency care?
Hospitals are better equipped for emergency care, offering 24-hour services and specialized treatment.
Why might someone choose a clinic over a hospital?
Clinics often have shorter wait times and lower costs for routine or minor medical issues.
How does the physical size of clinics compare to hospitals?
Clinics are typically smaller with fewer facilities compared to hospitals, which are larger buildings often equipped with a wide range of medical technologies and several specialized departments.
Are the operating hours between clinics and hospitals different?
Yes, most clinics have set hours and may be closed on weekends or evenings, whereas hospitals operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Do hospitals provide the same services as clinics?
Hospitals provide all the services offered by clinics and much more, including intensive care, surgical procedures, and emergency response capabilities.
Can I get vaccinated at a clinic?
Yes, clinics often provide preventive care services such as vaccinations, particularly those that are part of routine health maintenance.
What is the main difference between a clinic and a hospital?
A clinic offers outpatient services for less severe health issues, whereas a hospital provides comprehensive medical care including emergency services.
Can clinics perform surgeries?
Some clinics can perform minor surgeries, but most surgeries are conducted in hospitals.
What should I consider when choosing between a clinic and a hospital for medical care?
Consider the severity of the medical issue, the type of care needed, availability of specialists, potential wait times, and the cost associated with the care when choosing between a clinic and a hospital.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
