Why traditional “home visits” are making a comeback in the modern medicine arena?

Though healthcare at home seems more convenient and relaxed for patients and families, it is challenging for the service provider. Initially, botanists, herbal professionals, and doctors frequently visited the patients at home. The trend went on decreasing with the advent of the latest equipment and machinery. A sudden rise in home visits was observed during the deadly pandemic in 2019. Home visits hold several benefits and challenges. Let us explore the facts about the rise of the doctor’s “home visits.”

Exploring the concept of home doctors

Home doctors are qualified and credible doctors who are verified to diagnose and treat the patients at their doorstep. There comes the human factor significantly. As mentioned earlier, it was a common practice among royals and a layperson to get a home doctor. Over time, the tradition vanished. The modern medicine arena has again witnessed a sudden rise in-home visits by doctors. Home visits facilitate the patients who are unable to travel or face mobility issues.

Home doctors are just at the distance of a phone call. Can they use all the resources to treat the patients? Before digging into its answer, it is essential to know the healthcare recipients.

Who receives healthcare at home?

From health maintenance to disease prevention, all types of care are provided at home. Healthcare recipients belong to all ages including youngsters, adults, old age, and underserved communities. In case of emergency, adults are unable to visit the hospital and consider it convenient to bring the health provider home. A large array of populations suffering from HIV, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and cancer receive health services at home.

Another important community that receives the attention of home doctors includes disabled individuals. Disability may range from sensory, emotional, and cognitive to physical aspects. However, one cannot get a permanent health service at home. Home doctors can only provide temporary care and offer first aid only.

Advantages of Doctor’s “Home Visits”

Bringing a doctor’s facility at home is highly beneficial. Let us prospect some of them:

● Convenient

The home doctor concept is super convenient. Patients can be examined within home comfort. No need to travel or make appointments for clinics. Within a fixed time, home doctors visit and examine patients conveniently. No need to wait for longer hours in the waiting rooms.

● A well-established doctor-patient relationship

When a doctor examines the patient at home, it enhances the intimacy and connection between the patient and the doctor. Patients get more alert and attentive to the healthcare matters. Similarly, doctors can effectively communicate about the physical or psychological condition. The personalized home visits also build a quick rapport between the patient’s family members and the doctor.

● A good source of family counseling

Family members can more closely collaborate with the doctor and discuss the patient’s matter in-depth. Whether it is preventive care, wellness examination, or any other purpose, a home visit allows more than one family member to engage in the healthcare journey of the patient. Doctors also throw more tips and techniques to deal with the patients and the environment.

● Cost-effective healthcare solution

Home doctors prevent the unnecessary expenses of traveling. It also prevents hospitalization expenses ranging from emergency rooms to ward visits.

● Preventive measures

Home doctors effectively lead to preventive healthcare measures. Doctors can detect health issues and guide the patient about the potential risks and possible interventions. Home visits are a good source to prevent chronic symptoms.

● Personalized environment

The personalized home settings allow quick rapport building between doctor and patient. Doctors can better gain insight into patient’s lifestyles, financial status, and health concerns. These factors help the doctors to plan better interventions or treatment sessions.

Are there any drawbacks?

Though it seems quite convenient to access instant primary care, it holds several challenges as well.

● Limited resources

Unlike hospital settings, doctors cannot provide patients with proper equipment or tools. Thus, doctors have to examine within limited resources only leading to a compromised healthcare quality.

● Unable to deal with intensive care patients

In emergency cases, doctors cannot access essential tools and machinery at home. Thus, only first aid can be given to save the life of the patient. For further treatments, it becomes mandatory to refer the patient to the local hospital or clinic.

● Authorization matter

Only those doctors can pay a visit to homes that are certified and licensed. It is essential to see the credibility of home doctors whether they are trained and reliable for home visits or one should choose alternate options.

Why home visits are trending in the modern-day medicine profession?

Home visits facilitate the patient and family in numerous ways. As mentioned earlier, its potential benefits attract patients with mild and chronic diseases. However, it is not possible to treat all kinds of disorders at home. Patients with a disability or difficulty in mobility may feel it convenient to call a doctor at home. Home visits are a good way to detect early symptoms. In some cases, people call a doctor at home for wellness training or healthcare suggestions like exercise, nutritional plans, etc.

When should I seek a doctor’s “home visit”?

You can seek a home-visiting doctor for the following reasons:

● Hypertension
● Diabetes
● Fever
● Cold & Flu
● HIV
● Joint therapy
● First aid
● Dressing the wounds

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Virtual practitioners offer quick accessibility to preventive care and medical facilities. We offer free coaching to practitioners and enhance their practical experience. Whether you want a hospital facility or need a personal examination at home, get a virtual appointment and take advantage of home visits.

Our online healthcare professionals can devise a better examination plan via smartphone or in-person visits. Get an instant appointment and our healthcare providers will track you for further procedures. No need to wait for hours in the queue with pathetic ailments. Get initial treatment sitting in your home comfort. However, our providers can refer you to a combination of in-person and online check-ups. Come and join our healthcare community to get the best treatment plans.