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What Are the Different Types of Outpatient Clinics?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

Outpatient clinics are designed to address a variety of health issues, including pain management, chronic illness management, and mental health care. An ambulatory care clinic may offer education and treatment for diabetics. These clinics generally have pharmacists, counselors, and other health care workers who collaborate with physicians. Infectious disease outpatient clinics are designed to treat patients who do not require inpatient care at a medical facility.

One sub-type of infectious diseases clinics is a tuberculous clinic. These facilities offer counseling, direct medical treatment, as well as pharmacy services. Other infectious disease clinics include those for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Many of these also offer support groups, counseling, and other programs.

Mental health providers often see patients with bipolar disorder and anxiety on an outpatient basis.
Mental health providers often see patients with bipolar disorder and anxiety on an outpatient basis.

Many emergency service clinics serve low-income patients. These clinics generally treat accident victims with fractures, burns, and wounds. In addition to emergency services for adults, many of these clinics offer outpatient treatment for infants and children.

Similarly, an outpatient clinic for pregnant women will provide pregnancy care on a semi-monthly basis in most cases. These pregnancy clinics may also offer support counseling and options for unwed mothers. This type of clinic may also provide advice for pregnant women who have health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Advice on diet may also be offered at a pregnancy clinic.

Ambulatory care refers to medical treatment provided on an outpatient basis.
Ambulatory care refers to medical treatment provided on an outpatient basis.

Physical therapy clinics provide rehabilitation to patients recovering from injury or chronic medical conditions such as cerebral palsy. Outpatient occupational therapy may also be available at rehabilitation clinics. Many of these outpatient clinics provide exercise programs using various equipment. For example, a patient recovering from a fractured hip may use a treadmill to regain strength and mobility. A patient who has a shoulder injury often benefits from an upper body ergometer at a rehabilitation clinic.

Outpatient clinics can help people recover from an eating disorder.
Outpatient clinics can help people recover from an eating disorder.

Mental health clinics provide outpatient services for various types of mental illness. Bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), personality disorders, and eating disorders are some conditions that may be treated at a mental health outpatient clinic.

Patients dealing with chronic pain are often referred to an outpatient clinic that offers advice, counseling, and practical solutions for managing pain. Some clinics offering pain management programs also deal with alternative or holistic treatment. These clinics may provide treatment that is natural, without the use of chemicals and drugs. Other methods of holistic healing provided at this type of clinic may include relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, and meditation.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

I'm so glad pain clinics are open. I have a friend who was in a car wreck several years ago and his back was messed up. Several surgeries later, he's still having chronic pain, but the local pain clinic has really helped.

Our local clinic has doctors who are really concerned about pain management, and helping patients get relief without getting addicted, and if they do become addicted, to helping them withdraw from the medications safely and gradually. They help their patients manage pain, not just take pills. They help with physical therapy and can also coordinate counseling if the patient needs it.

Pippinwhite

Walk-in urgent care clinics are the best things that have happened to health care in years. Because of these clinics, you don't have to go to the ER if you get sick over the weekend.

There are several where I live and they are really lifesavers. Last summer, I had a really bad reaction to a mosquito bite. My finger swelled up and started turning blue at the tip. I knew I needed to see the doctor. It was a Sunday afternoon, but because a walk-in clinic was open, I was able to avoid a trip to the ER. It was so much easier. The doctor looked at my finger, gave me a Benadryl injection and a steroid shot and sent me home. I was home in an hour or so. I would probably have been in the ER for four or five hours -- if I was lucky.

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    • Mental health providers often see patients with bipolar disorder and anxiety on an outpatient basis.
      By: Phase4Photography
      Mental health providers often see patients with bipolar disorder and anxiety on an outpatient basis.
    • Ambulatory care refers to medical treatment provided on an outpatient basis.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Ambulatory care refers to medical treatment provided on an outpatient basis.
    • Outpatient clinics can help people recover from an eating disorder.
      By: HaywireMedia
      Outpatient clinics can help people recover from an eating disorder.
    • Many emergency service outpatient clinics serve low-income patients.
      By: Sanjay Deva
      Many emergency service outpatient clinics serve low-income patients.
    • Many outpatient clinics offer a variety of support group programs.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      Many outpatient clinics offer a variety of support group programs.
    • Physical therapy outpatient clinics provide rehabilitation to patients recovering from injury.
      By: iceteastock
      Physical therapy outpatient clinics provide rehabilitation to patients recovering from injury.