Eriarstikeskustes

Eriarstikeskustes are facilities that provide specialized medical care beyond what is offered by general practice. They host consultations with clinical specialists and provide targeted diagnostics and treatments within specific medical fields. These centers may be standalone clinics or parts of hospitals and typically focus on disciplines such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, dermatology, and endocrinology.

Most operate on an outpatient basis, though some perform procedures that do not require admission. Services include specialist assessments, diagnostic tests (imaging and laboratories), treatment planning, and follow-up for complex or chronic conditions. Referrals from general practitioners or other specialists are common, and centers coordinate with primary care to ensure continuity of care.

Organization often involves multidisciplinary teams of board-certified specialists. Centers typically follow clinical guidelines and participate in quality assurance. They may be affiliated with hospitals, universities, or private networks and use electronic records to share information with other providers.

Role in health systems: they complement primary care by delivering expert evaluation and management, supporting early diagnosis and efficient care pathways. Access and wait times vary, making coordinated referral networks important.

In Estonian-language contexts the concept is referred to as eriarstikeskustes, and these facilities can be public or private and may sit within hospital networks or operate independently.