Whether you've ever experienced a medical house call or only know about them through old movies may be a factor of your age. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say it may be time for house calls to make a comeback. These doctors say that while there's a place for tests and machinery, there are also good reasons for doctors to see some patients, particularly elderly ones, in their homes. A home visit is easier on ill or frail patients for whom leaving the house is a great effort.
Some patients feel disoriented or ill at ease in an unfamiliar place.
By seeing these patients at home, doctors can get a better idea of what their everyday lives are like. When seeing a patient at home, the doctor also has the chance to help the whole family. Having an ill relative can put a strain on loved ones. Doctors can get a sense of how family members are coping with the illness and make care recommendations that help everyone. Still, there are some times when only a hospital can provide the kind of treatment a patient needs.