Tuesday, June 21, 2011

House Call Medicine

Last week I wrote about telemedicine. It was an attempt to help people understand what I do. From the feedback I received, it was clear that I needed to back up. I need to explain what a House Call Pediatrician does. By this I mean, what can we do and what are our limitations. Okay. I can do that.

When a physician says that he or she does house calls, I think we all know that means they see clients in their own home. In my case, I will also see children in their daycare or their parent's place of business. Everyone is eager to see a house call, or concierge, physician for acute illnesses such as colds and flu. I can do that. I also do complete physicals. These can be school physicals, sports physicals or your annual physical. I can update your child's immunizations at that time. I can also manage chronic illnesses, treat common sports injuries and suture simple lacerations. My goal is to be your child's primary care physician.

If your child has a chronic illness that requires treatment by subspecialists, I cannot do that in your home. However, I can refer your child to the appropriate specialists, and manage their overall care. I can be the physician those specialists call when they have questions. I can help guide you through that process.

If your child has a sprain or strain, I can splint that in your home and follow it's progress. If a fracture is suspected, I can refer you to a place where the radiology studies can be done. Those results are either faxed or sent to me digitally. I usually get these results in a matter of hours, not days. With that information, I can make appropriate treatment decisions. Results are entered into the medical record.

If your child needs labwork done, I choose not to draw blood on your child in their home. This is invasive, and many children feel it is a violation of their personal space. They should not be made to feel that way in their own home. Fortunately, bloodwork is seldom needed in pediatric clients. For labwork, I will send you and your child to a local lab or the nearby children's hospital. Results are, again, available within a few hours. They are usually sent to me digitally and entered into your child's record. Treatment options are made, based upon these results.

Many physicians ask how I manage all the charts. I don't carry charts, per se. All our charts are electronic and can be accessed via my computer. The information is encrypted and password protected. This electronic record contains growth charts, immunization records, past medical history, family history and information from specialists. I can send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy of your choice.

While all of this is pretty nifty, you need to know what I cannot do in a house call. I cannot perform minor surgeries. I cannot suture complex lacerations. I cannot treat true emergent problems. Certain problems, such as dehydration or respiratory distress, will still need to be sent to an emergency department. Decisions are made on a case by case basis, with your child's safety as the key concern. I, also, cannot see every client at the time they want to be seen. This is why I have a schedule. While non-urgent appointments are made online, many parents wish to speak with me personally when scheduling urgent appointments.

I hope this has clarified things for you. As a house call, or concierge pediatrician, I would like to be your child's primary care physician. Just like any other primary care physician, I will sometimes need to refer you and your child elsewhere. I will do what is in the best interest of your child. Not every concierge physician offers these same services. Some will do less, and some more. If you have questions, please contact us online.

Dr Nan N
House Call Pediatrician, Overland Park, KS

State of the art care for your child in your home

View this blog as a video: http://www.youtube.com/user/personalmedicinetv#p/a/u/1/wT0tJSsXFgk

http://FiresidePediatrics.com
http://PersonalMedicine.com

No comments:

Post a Comment