consultori

Consultori is a term used in Italian to denote outpatient clinics within the public health system. It is the plural form of consultorio, the singular for a clinic or consulting room. In common usage, consultori refer to facilities that offer medical and social services outside hospital settings. A prominent subtype is the consultorio familiare, or family clinic, which focuses on maternal and child health, contraception counseling, sexual health, preventive care, and early intervention services. They may also provide social work assistance, parenting education, and referrals to hospital-based or specialized services.

Organization and access: Consultori are typically operated by local health authorities and staffed by physicians, nurses, midwives, and social workers. They aim to provide accessible care to residents, with various appointment options, including walk-in hours in some locations. Services are often targeted to specific populations, such as adolescents, pregnant people, or families.

Other uses and cross-language notes: Outside Italy, the word consultori is less common. In other Romance languages, cognate terms differ—for example, the Portuguese consultório refers to a clinic (with plural consultórios). In English, the concept is usually described as an outpatient clinic or health center. The form consultori also exists as the plural of consultore, the Italian word for advisor or consultant, though in most contexts its meaning will be the medical facility.