Why Physician House Calls Are Making a Comeback: Are Physician House Calls The Answer?

Every country of the world is facing a potential, health care crisis related to the cost of caring for the increased number of seniors. Physicians making a comeback in terms of house calls may offer one possible solution to the growing dilemma.  

Does your physician make house calls?

Can you recall those good old days, when your doctor came to your home if a family member was ill or needed medical care? Many of the elderly can remember that, while for the younger generations, it was more likely a visit to the local doctor’s office.    

The “Globe and Mail” article entitled “The doctor's house call: An old-fashioned remedy for health care's rising costs” suggests that there are serious economic concerns with respect to the health care system.

In an attempt to avert a potential, global, health care crisis and because of the growing numbers of seniors around the world, particularly those over the age of 85, there are increasing numbers of physicians who are choosing to return to make house calls.   

“This blast from the past could be critical to the sustainability of health care. It is one way to defuse the ticking time bomb – care of growing numbers of seniors – that threatens Canada’s financially stressed medicare system.”

This article also suggests that it is not the young seniors over 65, but rather “those over 85” who need house calls. Looking into the future, “by 2050, they will comprise 9 per cent of the population. Most have significant problems with mobility, memory and the simple chores of life.”

Consider a few of the benefits for patients, when physicians return to making regular house calls to them.

“Treating frail seniors in their homes is not only good for them, it reduces their hospital trips and medication needs as well as postponing admission to long-term care – all major drivers of health-care costs.”  

Another article entitled “Telemedicine becoming the new house call”, suggests that because of increasing technological advances in the realm of health care, “telemedicine may represent the future in health care delivery.” 

Perhaps in the near future, particularly in remote areas, it may not be an actual physician knocking on the door of your home, but rather a computer-based visit by a physician or maybe a combination of both in a less remote area. 

Addressing health care concerns for more elderly seniors is only one aspect of the pending health care crisis. With the rapidly growing population of the world, in conjunction with the shortage of physicians everywhere, an increased emphasis on medical and health care education for physicians will help to make a significant difference.