The Decline of House Calls and the Benefits of Modern Telemedicine

House calls, once a common practice, are now a rarity in modern medicine. This shift is due to a combination of safety concerns, changed medical practices, and cost considerations. In this article, we explore why house calls have declined and the advantages of telemedicine as a modern alternative.

The Challenges of House Calls

House calls require a significant investment of time and resources. A study by the American College of Emergency Physicians found that house calls were often more time-consuming than office visits. In the time it takes to drive from one patient to another, a doctor could see three or four patients in an office. Additionally, there are safety concerns, with some doctors being mugged while making home visits, and the perception that they carry drugs with them.

Another issue was the sometimes unsuitable home conditions. Some of the homes visited were filthy, posing health risks. Moreover, if a patient was expecting, doctors were sometimes seen as merely an excuse to bring attention to their pregnancy, further complicating their professional interactions.

Alternative Solutions: The Rise of Telemedicine

Despite the challenges, some concierge practices have found a way to incorporate house calls at a higher cost, though the process is often streamlined with testings and treatments done in an office or a nearby lab meeting health and safety standards. For retired doctors like myself, considering a similar practice, the major hurdles include getting paid and running necessary lab tests.

The rise of telemedicine provides a possible workaround. Telemedicine offers the best of both worlds, combining the comfort of a home visit with the efficacy of an office visit. Practices can set up patients with various monitors at home, allowing doctors to consult and monitor their patients remotely. This combination can lead to more efficient and effective care, with the patient's well-being being the top priority.

A Journey Through Time: How Medical Practices Have Evolved

The landscape of medical practices has changed significantly over the past five decades. In the 1950s, when multiple children in a family would get sick at once, a house call from the doctor was standard. Back then, many illnesses were contagious, and there wasn't the extensive equipment available in today's offices to address complex medical needs. However, the 1950s had its own limitations, with doctors lacking the technology and infrastructure to offer advanced treatments.

A personal memory from the early 1960s illustrates this point. I recall a situation where a doctor advised my mother to use a fan to help my asthma. His office was in his home, and he handled the finances and bookkeeping himself. Contrast this with today's medical practices, which often require extensive staff and administrative support to manage patient data and cover the high costs of medical education and practice.

The practice of medicine continues to evolve, with a focus on more advanced treatments and a greater reliance on technology. While the comfort of a family doctor is invaluable, the needs for advanced care and treatment have made house calls impractical in most cases. Telemedicine represents an exciting development that can bring both the benefits of home care and the efficacy of office-based treatments.

As we move forward, it's clear that the benefits of modern telemedicine cannot be overlooked. It provides a solution to many of the challenges associated with house calls, while still offering the convenience and comfort of at-home care. In an era where efficient and effective care is paramount, telemedicine is proving to be a valuable tool in the continued evolution of medical practice.