cliniccentered

Cliniccentered is a term used to describe a healthcare delivery approach that centers care within clinical settings, with the clinic acting as the primary locus for patient assessment, treatment planning, and care coordination. It is not tied to a single organization or standardized protocol, but rather describes a set of practices that prioritize in-person, clinic-based encounters as the core of care delivery.

Key features commonly associated with a clinic-centered approach include centralized access through outpatient clinics, multidisciplinary teams operating within the clinic, emphasis on timely visits (same-day or scheduled), and continuity of care through ongoing relationships between patients and clinic staff. The model often integrates diagnostic services, follow-up appointments, and care coordination within the same setting, aiming to streamline pathways and reduce fragmentation across other care environments.

Proponents argue that clinic-centered care can improve access, standardize workflows, enhance patient safety through close monitoring, and support data-driven quality improvement. Critics warn that an overemphasis on clinic-based work may marginalize home-based, community, and telehealth modalities, potentially increasing costs or creating bottlenecks if clinics become overloaded. Implementations vary and may be adapted to primary care, specialty clinics, or hospital outpatient departments, depending on local resources, patient needs, and organizational goals.

In practice, clinic-centered care is one of several models shaping modern health systems, often used in conjunction with broader population health strategies, digital health tools, and integrated care initiatives to balance clinic-based services with community and remote care options.