A hospital is a health care institution that provides diagnostic and therapeutic patient services under the supervision of physicians. It offers inpatient and outpatient care, and is a significant source of medical knowledge and research. A hospital may also specialize in a specific disease category such as heart disease, cancer or mental illness. Hospitals vary in size and range of services, but all are staffed with a group of qualified doctors (general medicine or surgery), auxiliary healthcare staff and medical equipment. Hospitals may be public or private, and are funded either through government funding and a health insurance scheme or by direct payment and charitable donations.
Pros of a hospital:
Hospitals are designed to give patients the most comprehensive care possible. This includes specialized doctors from different backgrounds working together to address your needs and provide you with the best treatment for your specific condition. Hospitals can also offer long-term care that a clinic cannot.
Cons of a hospital:
A hospital experience can be stressful for patients. It is important that you know what to expect so that you can prepare accordingly and feel confident about your care. Hospital staff are critical in creating the patient experience, and it is important that you find a hospital that values kindness, respect, and compassion for all of their patients. A recent study found that patient satisfaction with their hospital stay was highly related to the behavior of hospital staff. This finding supports the notion that a culture of tolerance may negatively impact the quality of care in hospitals.