House Calls?

Share

By By John Sharify

Summary

It's true. One local doctor has revived an old tradition of visiting his patients in their homes.

Story Published: Jan 14, 2002 at 4:19 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 24, 2009 at 10:48 AM PDT

House Calls?
SEATTLE - Remember the good old days when doctors made house calls? If you had a sore throat, your doctor came to you. If your child was sick, your doctor came to you.

Seattle Physician Ted Conklin is bringing back that tradition of house calls in his own family practice.

"We provide care whenever, wherever our patients need the care," says Dr. Conklin whose practice provides medical care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"When the page comes in, our goal is to answer the page within five minutes," says Conklin. The doctors in his practice say they will make a house call within thirty minutes of getting a call.

It's not free. The house calls cost $2,000 a year for an adult. $5,000 a year for a family of five. The patient's insurance company is billed for the medical care. Is it worth it?

For the Derricksons in Seattle, who have two young children, the house calls have proved to be well worth it.

"He comes into our home and it's not rushed. And it's the first time the kids aren't afraid to be seen by a doctor, which has been huge for us, " says Karen Derrickson.

For More Information:

http://onsitedocs.com/
Or via email at ted@onsitedocs.com