4 Benefits of House Calls for Primary Care Visits

When you're feeling unwell, the last thing you want to do is travel to the hospital or doctor's office. Usually, preparing for a doctor's appointment entails a lot, from scheduling time off work to waiting far too long in the waiting room for the doctor to see you.

House calls are a more convenient version of urgent care or a walk-in medical clinic appointment. You can avoid long lines and the possibility of being infected or infecting others, save time traveling, and avoid the discomfort of visiting the clinic when you are sick. For some patients, the house is a secure haven that might help with a more thorough examination.

In this article, we are going to go over 4 benefits of house calls for primary care visits. Read on to find out more.

1. They reduce waiting times

How many times have you arrived at a doctor's office on time just to be forced to wait? Imagine being able to see your doctor from the comfort of your own home, rather than having to wait in a packed waiting room. Waiting a long time to see a doctor might even aggravate or increase stress levels, making it difficult to accurately assess some tests, such as the correct blood pressure or heartbeat. Scheduling your appointment at home removes the need for this wait time and ensures better service. In addition, you are more likely to feel comfortable and can accurately describe your symptoms, which allows for a thorough diagnosis.

Young folks and parents with young children recognize that one significant advantage of house calls is convenience. House calls can eliminate the need to make an appointment later in the week or drive to an office and spend time in the waiting room waiting to be seen. The truth is very few of us enjoy going to the doctor's office, and there are now more reasons than ever to avoid it. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are understandably anxious about being in close quarters with someone who may have contracted the virus or other illnesses such as the flu.

2. They ensure patient safety

Americans are becoming older, and by 2030, 70 million of them will be above the age of 65. A large proportion of this population is also housebound. Over a third of individuals aged 75 to 85 have difficulties walking a block. The health of the elderly and those who are critically ill can deteriorate at any time. They may require immediate medical treatment and care since failure to do so can result in life-threatening problems and diseases. That is where a house call doctor comes in.

House calls can be an incredibly convenient and safe option for the elderly because they are unable to walk to the clinic, especially when there is no transportation available. House calls also allow doctors to check in on patients who have limited mobility to see if they are taking their medications on a regular basis, eating well, and staying safe from accidents or falls.

3. They reduce expensive hospitalizations

Health-care spending in the United States is widely believed to be on course to exceed 20 percent of GDP — and the 5% of patients who are the most expensive to treat account for 50% of total healthcare expenditure. These individuals are often frail and elderly, suffering from a variety of chronic illnesses; many of them also have unmet behavioral and mental health needs.

One study discovered that a physician assistant home care program that included house calls lowered the 30-day readmission rate by 25%. Medication adjustment was the most common house call intervention. Primary care that is easily accessible and consistent may help prevent ED visits. House call visits can also provide follow-up until you are better, something that medical clinics and hospitals don't do.

4. They ensure more personalized care is provided

According to research conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians, physicians might gain vital information about their patients during house calls. For example, doctors can check to make sure patients take their medications correctly, eat nutritiously, and aren't at an increased risk of accidents or falls by watching them do ordinary everyday tasks in their most familiar surroundings.

In-home care is more tailored than the majority of patients in a doctor's office or hospital and significantly reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Numerous physicians see as many as twenty people per day, with each visit lasting barely a few minutes. Delivering care to the patient in their own home becomes substantially more personalized, where treatment is tailored to the medical demands of each patient. House calls can provide patients and their families peace of mind.

Takeaway

There is no doubt that a house call can have various benefits for patients. A house call can help reduce waiting times, reduce expensive hospitalizations, ensure patient safety, and offer a more personalized type of care. Aside from the advantages mentioned above, numerous on-demand medical house call services today use modern medical technology to deliver more comprehensive and convenient medical treatment and medical support.

Community Healthcare Partners is committed to providing the highest quality health care to our patients in Lincoln, Omaha, Fremont, and surrounding areas. Our nurse practitioners and physician assistants provide comprehensive care in the comfort of the patient's home. Our professionals assist patients in navigating the health care system, including referrals to specialists, coordination of hospital care, and follow-up treatment. As a result, patients and caregivers benefit from the peace of mind knowing that quality healthcare is only a phone call away. Care encompasses everything from mild ailments to significant, chronic conditions.

Read about our services to find out more, or get in touch today to arrange an appointment with one of our compassionate doctors.