polikliniek

Polikliniek, or polyclinic, is a medical facility that provides outpatient care across multiple specialties and diagnostic services, usually under one roof. Unlike a hospital department that focuses on inpatient treatment, a polikliniek emphasizes consultation, laboratory work, imaging, and minor procedures without overnight stays. It may function as part of a hospital complex or as a standalone outpatient center within a health system.

Typical services offered at a polikliniek include consultations with internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, ophthalmology, dentistry, and other specialties; diagnostic testing such as laboratory work, X-ray, ultrasound, and ECG; preventive care like vaccinations and health screening; physical therapy and rehabilitation; and minor surgical procedures or dermatological procedures that do not require admission. Some facilities also provide urgent outpatient care and same-day appointments.

The concept has regional variations. In many European countries, poliklinieken are standard components of hospital networks or large clinics. In the former Soviet Union and some post-Soviet states, polikliniki were central to ambulatory care, offering comprehensive services across many specialties under government health systems. In other regions, the term is used for hospital-based outpatient services or stand-alone clinics with multiple specialties. Access, funding, and referral practices differ by country, ranging from universal coverage to insurer-based systems, and may influence whether patients can directly access specialists or require referrals.