Are There Really No Waiting Lines in City Clinics?
Discover how modern city clinics manage patient flow efficiently, especially during health crises, ensuring minimal wait times and safe care.
The phrase "Babylonian confusion" perfectly captures the chaotic and noisy scenes once common in city clinics. Those who have visited clinics years ago recall the hustle: patients asking quick questions, elderly individuals frustrated after waiting for hours, and a room full of sneezing and coughing people, often leading to disputes among patients and staff. But how has this changed today? Especially amid the recent pandemic wave, it's crucial to understand if waiting lines still exist in city clinics. Our editorial team conducted an experiment to find out!
On the way from home to the office, we stopped by the nearest city clinic. Nowadays, if you experience respiratory infection symptoms, you can visit any branch without a prior appointment to see the on-duty physician—even if you’re not registered there. Conveniently, you can choose a location near your workplace.
Approaching the main entrance, there was no crowd. A thoughtful nurse greeted visitors and checked temperatures using a contactless thermometer. Special routes are designated for those with respiratory symptoms, separating them from other patients to prevent infection spread—safety measures are paramount.
Upon entry, respirators are provided. Visitors leave their outerwear at the cloakroom and put on disposable shoe covers. When asked about the low number of visitors, the cloakroom attendant explained that the administration dynamically adjusts schedules and staff allocation to prevent queues, responding swiftly to each clinic's situation.
At the registration window, a staff member was on the phone, likely arranging a home visit by a doctor. On-duty physicians now serve patients seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, often staying until the last patient is seen. This schedule also applies to doctors making home visits.
In the corridor toward the elevator, a lively elderly woman hurried, probably heading for vaccination. The vaccination room is located on the third floor, where vaccinated individuals receive gift boxes as a token of appreciation. This area naturally attracts those eager to protect themselves with vaccines.
At the vaccination room, three people waited seated with proper social distancing. As one man exited, another immediately entered—the line moved swiftly. This hardly resembles the chaotic crowds of the past.
Next, we visited the department for patients with symptoms. It houses over five general practice rooms. Patients waited calmly with appointment tickets for various doctors, showing no signs of overcrowding. Checking mos.ru revealed that appointments are readily available for most doctors today. Online booking is also accessible through emias.info and the "EMIAS.INFO" mobile app under the "Doctor Appointment" section.
Clinics have adapted to current conditions by strengthening on-duty physician services. They mobilize specialists from other departments, including hospital doctors, residents, and medical students, to meet demand. Online appointment systems have significantly reduced queues by allowing patients to schedule visits in advance, minimizing crowding—especially vital during infectious outbreaks.
If you experience respiratory infection symptoms, you have several options: visit any nearby clinic's on-duty doctor without prior registration, book a specific appointment via the "EMIAS.INFO" app or mos.ru portal, or opt for remote consultation. The remote option provides an audio consultation, electronic sick leave issuance for seven days, and electronic prescriptions without clinic visits. After filling out an online form, a doctor contacts you, offers consultation, and manages all documentation digitally. Should an in-person examination be necessary and clinic visits impossible, you can always request a home visit by calling the emergency line 122.
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