kliinikka

Kliinikka is the Finnish term for a clinic—a facility that provides outpatient medical care and related services to patients who do not require an overnight stay. In Finland, the term is used for a range of settings, from municipal primary care clinics to private outpatient centers, and can refer to specialized clinics within hospitals as well as independent outpatient practices.

Public kliinikka are part of the municipal health services and deliver general practitioner care, preventive services, vaccinations, chronic disease management, and some diagnostic workups. Private kliinikka operate in the private health sector and may offer faster access to specialists and a broader set of services at a fee, often with appointments.

Services typically offered at kliinikka include patient consultations, physical examinations, basic diagnostics (such as laboratory tests and imaging referrals), preventive care and screenings, treatment of common illnesses, and follow-up for chronic conditions. Some kliinikka also provide rehabilitation, physiotherapy, or mental health services, depending on specialization and affiliation.

Compared with hospitals, kliinikka focus on outpatient, time-limited visits rather than inpatient care. In the public system, many patients are initially seen at a kliinikka in primary care and may be referred to hospital clinics for specialty care. In private practice, patients may book directly with a kliinikka or be referred by a physician.