RT Journal
A1 Blumberg RW
T1 THe house call—is it an anachronism that has seen its day?
JF American Journal of Diseases of Children
JO American Journal of Diseases of Children
YR 1989
FD November 1
VO 143
IS 11
SP 1281
OP 1281
DO 10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150230039018
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1989.02150230039018
AB During World War II there was a shortage of physicians to serve the civilian population, including pediatricians and general practitioners. This resulted in the beginning of the trend to "bring the child to the office," producing an end to house calls by the 1950s and early 1960s. Apparently, children did not suffer as a consequence, and during the continuing period of physician shortage the practice persisted, since one could see many more children in the office if house calls were not made. While the physician shortage resolved, the custom has continued.With the renewed interest in home care for the elderly, one is reminded ofthat era in which pediatricians made house calls. This is a phenomenon that is completely unknown to modern-day pediatricians, and, thus, it might be postulated that for the past 30 years they have not made house calls. Is this good, a custom that should