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Friday, July 10, 2015

Calgary Walk In Clinics Are Often The Only Hope For The Under Privileged

By Jordan Schmidt


Few things are as stressful as when medical attention is urgently needed but the money needed for the treatment simply is not available. This is the situation millions of people find themselves in. Medical insurance and cash will pay for treatment at the best facilities and by the very best doctors, but few can afford this. Calgary walk in clinics are often a godsend for such people. They can get treatment.

The broad definition of this type of medical institution includes a wide variety of facilities. Many facilities are conveniently situated inside shopping centres. Others are operated from the premises of sponsoring charities. Local health services also operate such facilities. Not all of these medical institutions have doctors on board. Prices range from free of charge to a minimal fee, mostly depending upon the type of service offered.

A lot of people think that all these facilities offer emergency treatment. This is definitely not the case. Many do, but many others offer limited services and are not equipped to deal with trauma and emergencies. The majority of facilities do not even employ a doctor. Those without health care benefits should familiarize themselves with the free and affordable facilities in their area.

The main advantage of these facilities is the fact that they are either free or very affordable. There are approximately eleven thousand such services country wide. Patients do not need an appointment. They can simply present themselves and services are very seldom refused. In most cases patients are seen on a first come first served basis. Of course, true emergencies will always receive preferential treatment.

Unfortunately, many of these facilities have to tend to large numbers of patients. This result in long queues and sometimes very long waiting periods. In addition, due to limited staff and facilities, patients are rushed through. In many cases patients cannot be helped simply because the facility does not have the equipment, medication or skilled staff necessary to deal with the problem at hand.

Many critics slam these medical facilities as utterly inadequate for even very basic health care. They cite the facts that many facilities do not even have an attending doctor, that basic diagnostic tools are seldom present and that the range of medication offered to patients are rudimentary. Critics say that the staff at any of these facilities only had very basic training and that they should not be allowed to attend to patients without supervision.

Many doctors have also criticised these clinics. They say that it is not possible to provide adequate long term health care if there is not a relationship between the doctor and the patient. The result is that patients are often given very basic treatment for a seemingly small problem that may actually be indicative of a much more serious condition.

Nobody will argue the fact that proper health care for all should be a national priority. At present, the poor and needy simply have to make do with what is on offer. Ideally, every citizen should be able to depend upon quality care when they need it. In the meantime, affordable and free medical facilities fulfil a very urgent need.




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