On the other hand, general hospitals offer services to a wide variety of diseases and they have more number of physicians as compare to specialized hospitals. In this article, we'll discuss some of the major categories among which hospitals can be divided.

It is better to look at the types of patients before looking at the types of hospitals. Mainly, there are two types of patients, outpatients and inpatients. Outpatients are those patients who come to hospital only for some therapy or diagnosis. It can be regular as well as occasional. On the other hand, inpatients are those patients which are admitted in the hospital for conducting tests. This usually include those cases which very often checkup and complete rest.

First of all, general hospitals are the most well known and most active hospitals currently in any city or town. These hospitals have capability to handle most types of diseases, injuries and other problems. The general hospital is usually equipped with an 'emergency department'. This department is for handling emergency cases such as car accidents, sudden bleeding or bones fracture. Since the general hospital has the most numbers of patient, it has the largest numbers of beds than any other specialized hospital. The beds are for both intensive and long-term care. In addition, facilities include equipment for surgeries. General hospitals, of enough size, have their own ambulances for transporting the patient.

Specialized hospitals are another category of hospitals. As its name suggests, specialized hospitals specializes in one or more specific diseases such as trauma centers and rehabilitation hospitals. Some specialized hospitals are only dedicated for kidney-related diseases and problems. Since, they are more specific than general hospitals, still they have one more than one large buildings for conducting their operations.

A clinic is a smaller hospital and usually a single physician owns and heads the clinic. It can be general purpose or special purpose depending upon the qualification and services offered by the physician.

At last, teaching hospitals or university hospitals are hospitals that attach university or college to themselves. The university offers bachelors and masters degree and it is beneficial for both students and working staff of hospital.