Clinic vs. Polyclinic — What's the Difference?

Outpatient Healthcare Facility.

Comprehensive Healthcare Facility.

Focused Medical Services.

Multidisciplinary Team.

Smaller Scale Operations.

Multiple Specialties.

Community-based Location.

Centralized Healthcare Services.

Specific Treatments.

Holistic Patient Care.

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.

A polyclinic (where poly means "many"; not to be confused with the homonym policlinic, where poli means "city" and which is sometimes used for a hospital's outpatient department) is a clinic or health care facility that provides both general and specialist examinations and treatments for a wide variety of diseases and injuries to outpatients and is usually independent of a hospital. When a polyclinic is so large that it is in fact a hospital, it is also called a general hospital.The term was rare in English until recently and is still very rare in Northern America, but examples of its use are the large outpatient clinics (healthcare centers) operated by the government in England and Singapore that are able to provide a wider range of services than a standard doctor's (GP) office as well as The Polyclinic in Seattle, Washington.

A facility, often associated with a hospital or medical school, that is devoted to the diagnosis and care of outpatients.

A clinic, hospital, or health care facility that treats various types of diseases and injuries.

A medical establishment run by several specialists working in cooperation and sharing the same facilities.

A usually private clinic in which diseases of many sorts are treated.

A group session offering counsel or instruction in a particular field or activity

A clinic in which diseases of many sorts are treated; especially, an institution in which clinical instruction is given in all kinds of disease.

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.

A place where such instruction occurs.

A class or lecture of medical instruction conducted in this manner.

A medical facility, such as a hospital, especially one for the treatment and diagnosis of outpatients.

A hospital session to diagnose or treat patients.

A school, or class, in which medicine or surgery is taught by examining and treating patients in the presence of the pupils.

A group practice of several physicians or other health professionals.

A meeting for the diagnosis of problems, or training, on a particular subject.

A temporary office arranged on a regular basis to allow politicians to meet their constituents.

(wrestling) A series of workouts used to build skills of practitioners regardless of team affiliation.

(obsolete) A bed-ridden person

(obsolete) Somene who receives baptism on a sickbed.

One confined to the bed by sickness.

One who receives baptism on a sick bed.

A medical facility, often connected with a school or hospital, which treats primarily outpatients.

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.

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.

A performance so excellent as to be considered a model for emulation.

A medical establishment run by a group of medical specialists

Meeting for diagnosis of problems and instruction or remedial work in a particular activity

A healthcare facility for outpatient care

A clinic is a healthcare facility that provides specialized outpatient services, focusing on the treatment and management of specific medical conditions.

A polyclinic offers a broader range of healthcare services across multiple specialties under one roof, unlike clinics that specialize in one area.

While clinics primarily offer specialized services, some may provide general healthcare services, especially in community-based settings.

Clinics offer targeted medical services such as dermatology, dental care, or pediatrics, catering to specific patient needs.

Some clinics, especially surgical clinics, offer minor surgical procedures, usually on an outpatient basis.

Yes, polyclinics are designed to offer consultations with multiple specialists, making it convenient for patients.

Clinic hours vary; many operate during standard business hours, though some urgent care clinics may offer extended hours.

Polyclinics employ a wide range of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and specialists in various fields.

The cost can vary depending on the services provided; polyclinics may offer a broader range of services which might affect overall costs.

Clinics can manage long-term care for chronic conditions, often in collaboration with other healthcare providers.

It depends on your healthcare needs; for specific treatments, a clinic might be more suitable, whereas a polyclinic offers comprehensive care.

Polyclinics are equipped for comprehensive care but may not be suited for major medical emergencies that require hospitalization.

Consider your medical needs: for specialized care, choose a clinic; for broad or multiple healthcare needs, a polyclinic might be better.

Yes, many clinics offer diagnostic services related to their specialty, such as imaging or laboratory tests.

It depends on the healthcare system; some polyclinics may require referrals, while others allow direct appointments.