Compare the roles of outpatient services and hospitals related to their place within the health care delivery system. How are they similar? How are they different?  

Outpatient services and hospitals are both integral parts of the health care delivery system, however they serve different purposes. Outpatient services such as clinics or physician offices are typically used for preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment of minor ailments; they provide more efficient care in that individuals do not need to be admitted into a hospital setting but can still receive necessary medical attention. On the other hand, hospitals are usually reserved for more serious cases which require extensive treatments or specialized equipment.

Despite their differences in scope of service, both outpatient services and hospitals have similar goals of providing quality patient care while also promoting preventive measures when possible. Additionally, many healthcare organizations now offer coordinated systems between these two entities so patients can access needed resources from either location depending on their individual needs.

Ultimately by recognizing the various roles that each of these facilities play within the healthcare system we can ensure that all individuals have access to adequate medical services regardless of where they seek treatment; this will ultimately lead to improved outcomes while simultaneously reducing costs associated with unnecessary stays at hospitals or ER visits.