New technology revives an old practice — house calls!

Ever hear the saying, “Everything old is new again”?

Well, it certainly applies to doctor visits.

You may have thought “house calls” were a thing of the past. But it’s looking more and more like they’ll be part of our future as well.

In fact, for those living in certain places, they’ve already become a fact of life – again.

And all thanks to today’s technology.

Smart-phone apps have recently begun enabling people in New York City, South Florida and Southern California to arrange for doctors to come to their homes. Just like in the good old days.

This is proving especially convenient for parents of sick children, who’d rather not have to subject them to a doctor’s office or ER visit. It also keeps them from being exposed to germs they might encounter there.

“Convenient access to quality health care when you need it is a real problem,” noted Toby Hervey of “Pager,” the “house call” app for the Big Apple. “We’re using technology to make the house call — one of the best ways to get personal care — viable again.”

Just how viable? Pager’s doctors will visit you 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visits typically last about 45 minutes – a good deal longer than what you get at most office visits. And if you don’t have an iPhone, you can use the telephone or company website to get a doc on call.

The price of a visit starts at $199, but monthly plans are available. Discussions with insurers are also under way about providing coverage, although it isn’t offered yet.

The idea was inspired by Uber, a high-tech method of getting a private car, taxi or rideshare from your mobile phone.

Websites for both Pager and Medicast, the other company offering this service, list the kinds of problems for which their doctors will visit patients. They include everything from colds, flu and even pneumonia to sprains, eye infections, abdominal pain and cuts requiring stitches.

Of course, it’s not for all medical conditions. Things like chest pain, shortness of breath, or head injuries or losing consciousness should still be handled by calling 911 and going to the ER.

But for all those other bugs and boo-boos, there’s nothing like having the doc come directly to your door. Just like in days of yore.

Sources:
“Uber-inspired apps bring a doctor right to your door” Caitlin Schmidt, July 31, 2014, CNN Health, cnn.com