Key Difference: A hospital can be a private or public sector building where patients are admitted for treatment. On the other hand, a clinic is a health care hub or it is a place where a doctor analyzes the patients, prescribes medicines and gives the instructions as to how to use the medication.

Hospital and clinic are the two words that are undeniably different from each other.

Hospitals can be in the private or public sector. It is a health care organization, which provides patients with treatment by expert staff and equipment. Hospital was derived from the Latin word ‘hospes’ or ‘hospitalis’, meaning ‘hospitable’. It is largely managed by professional physicians, surgeons and nurses. It is a 24 hour health center where patients get admitted for treatment of various diseases. Two types of patients can be treated in the hospital: Outpatients and inpatients. Outpatients are the one who leave without staying all night; while inpatients are admitted and stay overnight or for several days, weeks or months.

There are several doctors to attend to patients in a hospital. The well-known type of hospital is the general hospital, which is set up to deal with many kinds of problems. There are several departments in the hospital that are managed by particular staff members. The departments are mainly known as ‘wards’.

On the other hand, a clinic is a place where outpatients are provided medical treatment, checkup or advice for their health. Clinic was derived from the Greek word ‘Klinein’, meaning to ‘slope, lean or recline’. An outpatient means they go to a clinic for diagnosis, treatment, or therapy and then leave without staying all night. It is a kind of hospital department; where a doctor visits to talk to people about their particular health matter. The patient discusses their problem with the doctor and the doctor may pescribe them medicines. A clinic is usually run for about 4 to 5 hours a day.

Clinic can also be privately functioned or publicly handled and financed, and it can characteristically cover the primarily health care needs of populations in local communities. Clinics are frequently linked with a general medical practice, run by one or several general practitioners. Some clinics are also operated in-house by employers or government organizations.

Comparison between Hospital and Clinic:

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