How to distinguish between the place were sick people lying (hospital) and work 24 hours a day, to the place where people go for check-ups or as primary medicine (G.P. / family doctor)? In many countries they are specific buildings (not even close to hospitals) and in Eastern Europe it's called policlinic.
Regarding to the word clinic, as I understand it can be also used for hospitals, but I'm looking for a word that's specific not for hospitals (=where sick people lying). I'm a bit confused.
According to Oxford:
Clinic – An establishment or hospital department where outpatients are
given medical treatment or advice, especially of a specialist nature.
It's a bit different from what I can understand by the term "clinical picture" which speaks about patients in hospitals many times. Also, in many countries thes
So a native English speaker who goes to a general check-up, or to have a consultation in outpatient may say: "I'm going to the clinic" while it's understood it isn't for hospital? Or what is the common term that I'm looking for?
Best Answer
In American English, it's common to refer to such a place as "the doctor's office" or even just "the doctor". Such places may be officially called something like "Offices of Dr. Jones, MD".
The word "clinic" should also be pretty widely understood as different from a hospital. It might have a connotation of being a place that focuses more on one specific type of medicine, but not always.
There are also places called "prompt care" or "urgent care" where people can go with something that can't wait until a regular doctor visit, but isn't serious enough to go to the emergency room at the hospital.