Have you ever not felt well and wished that your doctor could come to you? While house calls are thought to be a thing of the past, they could be making a comeback. This comeback could be especially helpful for seniors who struggle with transportation.
Could House Calls Be Making a Comeback?
The idea of house calls is old. It was common for doctors to go to patients’ homes in the early 1900s. The practice went extinct as hospitals and better technology evolved.
This practice would be a great addition to the care that seniors already get in their homes.
Even though technology killed the house call industry, it’s also going to bring it back. Technology has become small and more comfortable to carry around. Things like EKGs, small refrigerators for vaccines and blood, and other devices can now fit in a backpack.
Support from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) is making the return of this idea a reality. It’s reported that patients who receive care at home are readmitted to hospitals less and have shorter hospital stays. Research also shows that house calls can improve the overall quality of life for people with many conditions or near the end of their life.
There does need to be a complete nationwide change in structure so that house calls can succeed. Doctors will also have to be trained in home care. Hopefully, as time goes on, a plan on how to implement this idea will become clearer.
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