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House call practices among young family physicians
A L Knight1, A M Adelman, J Sobal
1Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, Roanoke.
The Journal of Family Practice
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Physician house calls are not common among recent family practice graduates. Most young doctors make fewer than one house call monthly, indicating a continued decline in this practice.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Medicine
- Family Practice
- Medical Practice Trends
Background:
- Physician house calls were historically significant but have declined.
- Recent suggestions indicate a potential resurgence in house call frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate current house call practices among recent family practice residency graduates in the U.S.
- To determine the prevalence and frequency of house calls in contemporary family medicine.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, random national sample of 301 family physicians was surveyed.
- Questionnaires were mailed to physicians who completed residency between 1981 and 1986.
- 197 responses were analyzed, yielding a 66% response rate.
Main Results:
- 62% of surveyed physicians reported making house calls.
- The majority (53%) performed less than one house call per month.
- Fewer than 15% conducted house calls weekly, with a downward trend observed from 1981 to 1986 graduates.
Conclusions:
- House calls are not a significant component of practice for young family physicians.
- The data suggests a continued decline rather than an increase in physician house calls.
- Recent family practice graduates are not actively engaged in regular house call services.