Most of us do not remember a doctor making a house call. Surely modern medicine and the essential equipment of a modern medical office would make seeing a patient out of the office impossible. Or maybe not.
Generally when I see the doctor I sit on the edge of the exam table, a new length of the paper roll sticking to the backs of my legs. The nurse has already weighed me and checked my blood pressure, pulse and temperature. We talk about why I am there and review whatever medications I take. Rarely, and depending on the specialty of the doctor, he/she might listen to my heart and lungs with a stethoscope. That's usually it. We could do that in my living room!
The idea of recreating the medical house call is the subject of a new PBS special, RX, The Quiet Revolution. "Created by 10-time Emmy Award winner David Grubin, the AMA-sponsored film showcases physicians and care teams across the nation who are changing how people receive medical care by lowering costs and making patients the central focus of their practices."
If you google "Doctors making house calls" you might be surprised by the number of medical practices specializing in seeing patients in the home setting. From big cities to rural communities, the practice of practicing medicine the old fashioned way is coming back. In the few sites that quote fees there is no indication that a house call is less expensive, it may be slightly more expensive. One example quoted a fee of $99.00. It's also unclear how medical insurance would treat such a visit.
But, goodness, if you were sick as a dog, or had small children who would have to go to the office visit with you, or if you were without transportation...it might be worth the premium. Furthermore, there is some evidence that the physician who sees you in the home setting may gain a greater insight into the patient's lifestyle resulting in better counseling for diet, exercise, hygiene, etc.
There's already the future virtual doctor visit via Skype or FaceTime. And pretty soon we can be monitored by our doctor's office monitoring our smart watch or the latest wearable.
It sounds too good to be true. I hope we are all here to see the future of health care.
.
.
Generally when I see the doctor I sit on the edge of the exam table, a new length of the paper roll sticking to the backs of my legs. The nurse has already weighed me and checked my blood pressure, pulse and temperature. We talk about why I am there and review whatever medications I take. Rarely, and depending on the specialty of the doctor, he/she might listen to my heart and lungs with a stethoscope. That's usually it. We could do that in my living room!
The idea of recreating the medical house call is the subject of a new PBS special, RX, The Quiet Revolution. "Created by 10-time Emmy Award winner David Grubin, the AMA-sponsored film showcases physicians and care teams across the nation who are changing how people receive medical care by lowering costs and making patients the central focus of their practices."
If you google "Doctors making house calls" you might be surprised by the number of medical practices specializing in seeing patients in the home setting. From big cities to rural communities, the practice of practicing medicine the old fashioned way is coming back. In the few sites that quote fees there is no indication that a house call is less expensive, it may be slightly more expensive. One example quoted a fee of $99.00. It's also unclear how medical insurance would treat such a visit.
But, goodness, if you were sick as a dog, or had small children who would have to go to the office visit with you, or if you were without transportation...it might be worth the premium. Furthermore, there is some evidence that the physician who sees you in the home setting may gain a greater insight into the patient's lifestyle resulting in better counseling for diet, exercise, hygiene, etc.
There's already the future virtual doctor visit via Skype or FaceTime. And pretty soon we can be monitored by our doctor's office monitoring our smart watch or the latest wearable.
It sounds too good to be true. I hope we are all here to see the future of health care.
.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment